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Published on Thursday, 18 October 2012 16:32
Yesterday, Chicago Cubs television announcer Bob Brenly publicly informed the Chicago Cubs organization, WGN-TV, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, and Cubs fans that he would not be returning to the Chicago broadcasting booth for a ninth season. Today, Brenly announced that he has accepted the position as a television announcer for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
It has long been rumored that Brenly was extremely interested in the Diamondbacks position, even before the Phoenix, AZ-based ball club released both of their television announcers a few weeks ago. Brenly and his wife live outside of Phoenix, AZ full-time. He previously was a broadcaster with the Diamondbacks from 1998-2000, and then became the Diamondbacks' manager from 2001-2004, leading the team to a World Series Championship in his managerial rookie year.
As he has done for the Chicago Cubs local television broadcasts for the last eight seasons, Bob Brenly will be the color commentator for the Diamondbacks' local television broadcasts. He replaces former Chicago Cub Mark Grace, who exited as the Diamondbacks' TV color commentator well before the end of the season after being arrested for a second DUI and subsequently seeking treatment for his personal issues.
In Phoenix, Brenly will be paired with Steve Berthiaume, who will deliver the play-by-play calls. Berthiaume was hired away from ESPN, although he will stay with his current job until after the end of this current baseball season, officially joining the Diamondbacks organization early next month.
Brenly was hired in the fall of 2004 to work in the Cubs broadcast booth as the color analyst beginning with the 2005 baseball season, replacing Steve Stone. He was paired with play-by-play announcer Len Kasper. Together, "Len & Bob" became a highly popular duo for the Chicago audience, with Cubs broadcasts seen on WGN-TV (simulcast on WGN America), WCIU-TV, and Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
Brenly's most recent contract, a four-year deal worth a reported $3.5 million, expired earlier this month.
Previously, Brenly did on-air work for WGN Radio, calling Cubs games back in 1990 and 1991, just after retiring from baseball as a player. Additionally, Bob Brenly has done some post-season baseball broadcasts for TBS over the last five years. From 1996-2000, he worked as a baseball analyst for FOX Sports.
Although his partner and friend Bob Brenly has exited, Len Kasper will return to the Chicago Cubs broadcasting booth next season. A search is currently being conducted for his next on-air partner.
