About Freaking Out About Cincinnati’s Opening Day with Randy Freking
Welcome to Freaking Out About Cincinnati’s Opening Day with Randy Freking, the podcast about the history and celebrations of Cincinnati’s most revered non-religious holiday, although some may debate that qualifier. Cincinnatians have been celebrating the Opening Day of Cincinnati Reds baseball since 1869, so we have a lot to cover!
In this special episode, Dan Carruthers and Randy discuss plans for the 2024 Opening Day celebration of the Cincinnati Reds, the history of Opening Days since 2018 - three of which were indeed strange ones - and their personal experiences on the holiday.
Opening Day Eve Party:
http://openingdayeve.com/
Official Website for Randy Freking:
https://www.freakingoutabout.com
Randy Freking’s Book on The History of Opening Day:
https://www.amazon.com/Cincinnatis-150-Year-Opening-Day-History/dp/1732749329
Freaking Out About Cincinnati’s Opening Day:
https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/GS1003177798
1 Apr 2021
2011-2018: The Holiday Explodes!
This episode explores the tremendous growth of Cincinnati’s Opening Day “ceremonial holiday” as the Banks entertainment district added to the spectacle. Good Reds teams early in the decade helped, but the growth in the party continued despite several “rebuilding” years.
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
31 Mar 2021
2001-2010: The Griffey and Castellini Years: Hope Springs Eternal
This episode explores Opening Days from 2001 to 2010, featuring Ken Griffey’s tenure after he joined the team in 2000, a new ballpark, new owner Bob Castellini, and growing optimism.
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
30 Mar 2021
Trouble in Paradise and Junior: 1991-2000
This episode explores the craziest decade of Openers, starting with a World Series ring ceremony and advancing through an Easter Sunday debacle, the death of an umpire during an opener, to the arrival
of Ken Griffey, Jr. in 2000!
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
29 Mar 2021
Post Big Red Machine and Marge Schott’s Influence: 1979-1990
Relive the Opening Day celebrations as the Big Red Machine was dismantled, Marge Schott became the Mother of Opening Day, and Pete Rose played in his last Opener!
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
28 Mar 2021
The Rose Years: 1963-1978
From 1963 - 1978, the most popular player of the Big Red Machine, Pete Rose, started in each of the 16 years. From Rose’s remarkable debut in 1963, the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr,, the last Opener in Crosley Field, the introduction of a new parade route to the Riverfront, to Hank Aaron’s historic home run in 1974, these 16 years are perhaps the most interesting Openers in Reds history.
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
27 Mar 2021
Post War Baseball Boon: 1946-1962
This episode highlights the 17 years following World War II, with a series of “firsts” on Opening Day, from television to the integration of baseball, the first female to throw the first pitch on Opening Day, to the influence of communism on the team’s official nickname.
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
26 Mar 2021
The Roaring Twenties Through World War II
This episode features the historic introduction of the Findlay Market Parade, and the tumultuous Opening Days during the Great Depression and World War II. Through it all, our greatest holiday not only survived, but it also flourished.
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
25 Mar 2021
Let The Party Begin
This episode examines the continuing impact of Frank Bancroft on Cincinnati’s holiday, and the introduction of Tally Ho Parties, from the late 19th century through the end of World War I.
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
24 Mar 2021
Let The Hoopla Begin
In this episode, we will explore the first seven years when Opening Day took hold as a special day and celebration in Cincinnati, and one year -1888 - when, horror of horrors! - the Red Stockings were scheduled to open on the road!
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
23 Mar 2021
Opening Day Memories of a Reds Beat Writer
In this episode, John Fay gives us his perspective on Opening Day and some of his memories as a beat writer covering the Cincinnati Reds.
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
22 Mar 2021
Opening Day 1870-1885
In this episode, we will relive professional baseball’s Opening Day History in Cincinnati before it became a special day on the baseball calendar.
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
21 Mar 2021
Marty Brennaman on Opening Day, And More!
In this episode, the Hall of Famed joins us for a wide ranging discussion about Opening Day, his career, and other fun and games!
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
20 Mar 2021
Excerpts From Opening Day History
In this episode, we will relive some of the many interesting years in Opening Day History, from the 1869 Opener, to Tally Ho Parties, to World War II, the assassination of MLK, and the Opening of the Banks development on the riverfront!
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
19 Mar 2021
The Myths Surrounding Opening Days in Cincinnati
In this episode, Howard Wilkinson joins the discussion as another special guest. Howard and I will explore the myths surrounding our holiday: why does Cincinnati have the privilege of hosting the season opener? (It’s not because of the 1869 Red Stockings.) Are we always the first game of the season? (No, and that is not a recent phenomenon.) Have the Reds always been scheduled to open at home? (No) Did anyone ever issue an edict (No) or are some of these traditions more a result of geography (yes) or pressure applied by the Reds? (Yes)
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
19 Mar 2021
Celebrating the Opening Day of Cincinnati Reds Baseball Since 1869
In this episode, I give a broad overview of why the holiday is so important to our town. I will illustrate how the holiday has remained amazingly similar over 150 years, and why that is so true. We will then focus on what I call historical markers, or checkpoints, and notable individuals who have themselves become markers. Thanks for stopping by and join us for the next episode!
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
19 Mar 2021
Firsts and Special Occasions During Cincinnati's Opening Days
In this episode, we will have Greg Rhodes as our special guest and discuss the firsts and some of the other special celebrations that have occurred over the last 150 years!!!
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
19 Mar 2021
The Father of Opening Day-Frank Bancroft
In this episode, renowned writer John Erardi and I will discuss the one person credited with the explosion of the pageantry and hoopla on Opening Day in Cincinnati - Frank Bancroft - and we will advocate for his induction into the Reds Hall of Fame! We will also review the role of women in the growth of the holiday, particularly the Rosie Reds and Marge Schott.
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
24 May 2020
Replay: Marty Brennaman on Opening Day, And More!
In this episode, the Hall of Famed joins us for a wide ranging discussion about Opening Day, his career, and other fun and games!
Your host, Randy Freking, is the author of “Cincinnati's 150-Year Opening Day History: The Hoopla Started with a Parade” and co-author of “@Titanicstruggle: The Best of MARTY BRENNAMAN”
Get your copies at openingdaybook.com and BestofMarty.com
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