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Cincinnati Reds broadcasters have exclusive interview with bird

By Alex Butler

May 22 (UPI) -- Thom Brennaman interviewed a bird Sunday during the seventh inning of the Cincinnati Reds' 6-4 home loss to the Colorado Rockies at Great American Ball Park.

The Reds broadcaster was in full ventriloquist-mode with TV partner Jeff Brantley during the back-and-forth, imitating the bird's voice to answer their own questions. Brennaman's interview provided a spark for the viewers, as no runs were scored in the final three innings of the contest.

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The conversation began in the bottom of the sixth inning, with the Reds trailing 6-3. Brennaman and Brantley noticed that two birds weren't getting along and strategized how they could intervene during the squabble.

"She told him all of the things he been doing wrong over the last couple of weeks," Brennaman speculated.

"What I think you need to do is climb out on the wire and provide a little counseling for the bird," Brantley told Brennaman in the broadcasting booth. "And bring these two back together."

"Look, I have enough problems at home myself," Brennaman told Brantley. "I'm not going to get involved in their affairs. But I do know that...but I do know....We could talk to her about it, but I tried that with my wife and it doesn't seem to do much good."

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The bird then flew into the booth and comfortably perched itself on Brennaman's chair.

"The Reds come up with three runs on a couple of home runs," Brennaman said. "So I'm assuming that you are a baseball fan and maybe you have always wanted to come up to the broadcast booth."

"No, just call me the Rally Bird," Brantley said as the bird. "I'm the Rally Bird. Just chilling. Just chilling."

"Are you getting along OK?" Brennaman asked the bird. "Is that your spouse down there? Is everything OK at home? If you don't mind me asking."

"We are having a bit of an argument but she likes the son, I don't," the bird said.

"Do you think you'd like to make this your regular getaway right here in the broadcast booth?," Brennaman asked. "Or would you like to have your broad come up sometime. It's up to you, what do you think?"

"No, this is a good getaway," the bird said. "We get sick of each other. You guys got it easy up here. You've got an easy job up here. You guys talk for a living."

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Brennaman then dreamed about how "awesome" it would be to fly.

"I don't like cranky old men," the bird said.

The Reds (20-23) have lost eight of their last nine games. Cincinnati kicks off a four game home-and-home series against the Cleveland Indians at 7:10 p.m. Monday at Great American Ball Park.

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