Every year, Awful Announcing invites its readers to rate their local MLB broadcasts. This year, the Cincinnati Reds TV crew came in 22nd out of 30 teams—a lower-tier ranking but still ahead of high-profile teams like the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. The San Diego Padres broadcast, led by play-by-play announcer Don Orsillo, claimed the top spot.
Among the 954 fan submissions evaluating the Reds’ broadcast team, the most common grade was a C, with 491 responses giving that mark. Much of the fan criticism focused on Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, who typically provides color commentary during home games.
Though Larkin remains a fan favorite for his playing days with the Reds and benefits from his deep local roots, many fans seem to prefer Chris Welsh in the broadcast booth. There’s a growing sentiment that Welsh is more effective as an analyst than Larkin.
Larkin’s popularity as a former player hasn’t fully translated to broadcasting. He faced particular backlash in late July when he suggested that home runs can hinder rallies. During a July 28 game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Larkin responded to John Sadak’s praise of home runs by saying, “They also stop rallies,” a remark that didn’t sit well with fans.
Larkin joined the Reds’ broadcast crew five years ago and essentially replaced Welsh during home games. Welsh, who previously did color commentary for most road games, has been replaced this season by Jeff Brantley on away broadcasts. Brantley, nicknamed “The Cowboy,” still contributes on Reds radio for most home games, while Welsh now works primarily on the pregame show.
Fan feedback in the Awful Announcing rankings was mixed regarding both Sadak and Brantley, but it’s clear that Welsh remains the most appreciated voice among Reds fans. Known for his dependable insight—especially regarding baseball rules—Welsh has been with the Reds for over three decades. It’s unclear whether the team will respond to the feedback and feature him more prominently on future broadcasts.
