CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Reds have broken their silence following reports of damage to the Marty Brennaman statue outside Great American Ball Park — and their latest statement has stunned fans.
After days of speculation and social media outrage, the Reds organization confirmed that the incident was not an act of vandalism, but rather the result of a maintenance mishap.
“Our investigation determined that the damage to the Marty Brennaman statue occurred during a scheduled cleaning and restoration procedure,” the team said in an official release on Sunday afternoon. “It was accidental, and we’re already working with the sculptor and restoration experts to make full repairs.”
The statement comes after fans noticed part of the statue — a tribute to the legendary broadcaster who called Reds games for 46 years — appeared cracked earlier this week. Rumors quickly spread online, with many assuming the statue had been deliberately damaged.
However, the Reds’ “truth bomb” put those theories to rest, clarifying that no foul play was involved.
“We understand how much Marty means to this city,” the statement continued. “His legacy deserves to be treated with the utmost respect, and we’re ensuring this statue looks exactly as it did on unveiling day.”
Brennaman, who retired in 2019 and famously coined the phrase “This one belongs to the Reds!”, has not yet publicly commented on the incident. But sources close to the team say he was informed early in the investigation and appreciated the organization’s quick action to set the record straight.
The statue area has been temporarily roped off while restoration work continues. Team officials said repairs should be complete before Opening Day 2026.
Fans, meanwhile, expressed relief that the damage wasn’t intentional. One longtime supporter wrote on X, “Glad it wasn’t vandalism. Marty’s statue deserves better — glad the Reds told us the truth.”
The Reds emphasized that additional security and maintenance protocols will be reviewed to prevent similar issues in the future.
For now, the organization’s swift and transparent response has quelled growing concerns — and reaffirmed the city’s unwavering respect for one of its most beloved voices.
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