Sunday, March 30

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- "Pomp and Circumstance" played on Thursday morning. There were caps, gowns and diplomas on hand. What made this high school graduation ceremony quite unique were the graduates and an audience of uniformed professional ballplayers.

For the second straight year, the Reds held a high school graduation ceremony -- this time for seven of their Minor League players who earned their diplomas. Most Reds big league players, several Minor League players, coaches and front office executives were all gathered together in seats to watch the hourlong ceremony.

"This is absolutely one of the best days of the year," player development director Jeremy Farrell told the graduates. "Regardless of where your baseball career takes you… you now have your education and that can't be taken away from you."

This year's graduates were Johnny Ascanio, Jose Franco, Carlos Jorge, Anielson Rabrun Buten and Stharlin Torres. Also honored were 2023 graduates who could not be at the previous year's ceremony -- Khristian Guevara and Lisnerkin Lantigua. 

Started in 2019, the Cincinnati Reds High School program has graduated 35 current and former players. It's done in partnership with Dawere International High School, which offers a Spanish-speaking adult online education program of 21 classes that include U.S. History, Math, Chemistry and Physics. Even players who are released by the club are able to stay in the program to complete their degrees.

Students either take classes via Zoom or in person with educators from the organization's wellness and education department.

"I think we take education for granted in the U.S., but for a normal person it’s a big deal. For players, who are the definition of athlete-students and not student-athletes, it’s an even bigger deal," said Kaitlin Beltre, the Reds' education coordinator.

The path from starting classes to receiving a diploma isn't always linear. Players often fit in their studies on days off, after games, after workouts, at night or on weekends. 

Franco, who hails from Maracay, Venezuela, and pitched at Single-A Daytona and High-A Dayton last season, began his coursework in January 2020 only to be derailed by the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as  injuries and other issues. But the right-hander never gave up, resuming classes a couple of years later and finished his degree. 

Toward the end of the ceremony, video messages from family members congratulating the graduates were played. 

Beltre, who led the ceremonial proceedings with Reds director of wellness and education Becky Schnakenberg in both English and Spanish languages, became emotional while talking about each student's efforts for doing his coursework. It meant a lot to her because she knew getting diplomas meant a lot to the players.

"English class is required for all of our international players. The high school program is not," Beltre said. "It’s something they choose to do. Them showing up after practice or after games and even after English class -- whether in person or online -- is really, really incredible.”

The Reds announced on Thursday that the next statue going up outside of Great American Ball Park will honor the career of longtime radio play-by-play voice Marty Brennaman. A bronze sculpture with Brennaman's likeness will be unveiled on Sept. 6, before the Reds host the Mets.

Brennaman became a broadcasting icon and Ford C. Frick Award winner at the Baseball Hall of Fame while calling Reds games for 46 seasons from 1974-2019. The sculpture will depict him behind the microphone.

“For nearly five decades, Marty was the voice of the Reds, bringing unforgettable moments to life for generations of fans," Reds president and CEO Phil Castellini said in a statement. "Now, his presence outside Great American Ball Park will be a lasting reminder of his passion and love for this team and this city.” 

Local artist Tom Tsuchiya was commissioned to create the sculpture. Tsuchiya was behind several other installations outside of GABP – including statues that honored Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and Pete Rose. Brennaman's likeness is slated to be placed near the Reds front office building facing Joe Nuxhall Way, which fans will notice as they arrive at Crosley Terrace.

What's not known is if the design will depict Brennaman with his former "poofy" hairstyle or buzzed haircut. Stay tuned.

“We all know how this works. You need two guys that can handle a workload to catch, work with the staff. We’ve got two really good players here and it was exciting to be able to do this deal.” -- president of baseball operations Nick Krall on the signing of catcher Jose Trevino to a two-year, $11.5 million extension through the 2027 season

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