» QUICK LOOK: A glance at Opening Day roster
The Cincinnati Reds play the Pittsburgh Pirates at 4:10 p.m. Thursday at Great American Ball Park. Here are some other highlights fans won’t want to miss:
Reds Community Fund Charity Block Party (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Free party on Joe Nuxhall Way, Freedom Way and Walnut Street.
100th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade (noon)
Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred will serve as Grand Marshal. Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench is the parade ambassador. Reds pitchers Sonny Gray and Anthony DeSclafani will ride in the parade along with a Reds 150th anniversary float.
Gates open at GABP (2:10 p.m.)
All fans will receive a 2019 Reds magnetic schedule/car magnet.
Pregame Ceremonies (3:30 p.m.)
• Nine representatives of the crew of the USS Cincinnati, a United States Navy combat ship, will be honored.
• Rosie Reds President Valerie Guthrie will present Opening Day plaques to Reds manager David Bell and Pirates manager Clint Hurdle.
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• Players from both teams will line the third- and first-base lines for introductions.
• Former Reds players, coaches and staff who have died since last year’s Opening Day, including Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, will be remembered in a video tribute.
• Members of the U.S. Marines Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Army & Air Force will present colors in our traditional “Parade of Colors.”
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• The Mistics will perform the National Anthem.
• Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 112th Fighter Squadron will perform a flyover.
• A giant American flag will be unfurled during the national anthem by members of the Cincinnati Firefighters Union Local 48.
• Reds Hall of Famer Eric Davis will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Bench.
• Former Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo will deliver the official game ball to the mound.
• Hall of Famer Joe Morgan will serve as the honorary captain of the game.
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