Reds celebrate Browning's life at GABP

CINCINNATI -- Before being laid to rest, former Reds pitcher Tom Browning had one final stop on Friday at the most fitting of places: a baseball stadium. The Browning family and the Reds held a public visitation and celebration of life services for "Mr. Perfect" at Great American Ball Park.

The event took place only feet away from the former site of Riverfront Stadium, where Browning once pitched, which was the place where he accumulated friends, teammates and fans while having years of success on the mound.

"The Brownings have lost a beloved son, a father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin. Reds Country has lost a favorite player, teammate, coach and family member," Reds CEO Bob Castellini said while speaking at the service. "This ballpark was a second home for Tom. He welcomed everyone he met with warmth and humor, always relaxed, always engaged and always grateful to be surrounded by people. It was just who he was. He loved baseball. He loved being a Cincinnati Red, and he loved his teammates.

"But these passions paled in comparison to the true loves of Tom's life. Beyond the applause and cheers and accolades Tom received as No. 32, Tom's heart belonged to his family."

Browning died on Dec. 19 at the age of 62 at his home in Union, Ky.

A Cincinnati pitcher from 1984-94, Browning was 123-88 with a 3.92 ERA in 300 games (298 starts) for the club and was an All-Star in ‘91.

On Sept. 16, 1988, at Riverfront Stadium, Browning threw a perfect game for a 1-0 victory over the Dodgers. During the World Series sweep of the A's in ‘90, he pitched six innings in Game 3 at Oakland and earned the 8-3 victory.

Browning was born and raised in Casper, Wyo., but he became a fixture in Greater Cincinnati during and after his playing days. In retirement, he was a Minor League coach and a guest instructor who did public speaking on behalf of the club.

"I think there were a number of things that made him special," said Reds broadcasting icon Marty Brennaman ahead of speaking at the service. "One of them was the fact that when he retired, he stayed here. Most people, as soon as they retired, they left and went somewhere else. He didn't do that. Being as provincial a city as this is, when they determine that you're one of them, then you're one of them. And that counts for a lot. I think people appreciated the fact that he stayed here."

Brennaman compared Browning to another beloved Reds left-handed pitcher, and broadcaster, in the late Joe Nuxhall.

"He has so many traits that Joe had," Brennaman said. "He never knew a stranger. He was always spectacular to fans. I never heard one person say anything negative about him in this town. That was the same for Joe all the years he and I worked together. People loved him in this town. His passing affected people like it affected me. All I did was cry when I found out that he died. He was just a special guy for me."

Hundreds of mourners went to the public visitation and the funeral service. Among those in attendance were former Reds George Foster, Doug Flynn, Billy Doran, Todd Benzinger, Tommy Helms, Ron Oester, Chris Nichting, Larry Leubbers, Bill Gullickson and Ted Power; former Reds manager Dave Miley; current Reds manager David Bell; former pitcher and Cubs broadcaster Jim DeShaies; and retired umpire and crew chief Randy Marsh.

Browning's former manager, Lou Piniella, could not attend but was among those that left a recorded tribute.

"Umpires loved to work with him because he worked fast," Marsh recalled. "But he really wasn't a complainer on pitches. He got ahead of hitters. When you do that -- ask Greg Maddux -- you're putting the percentages in your favor. He didn't mess around out there. He got out there and was ready to throw."

Marsh and Browning were also neighbors in northern Kentucky.

"We lived down the road from each other and crossed paths here and there," Marsh said. "Every time I saw him, it was, 'Hey, neighbor, how you doing?’, whether it was here or around town. We tended to show up at some of the same functions, which was good because we tried to do anything we could to help out, whether it was at schools or speaking here and there. He certainly did his share of that."

Browning's wife of 38 years, Debbie, passed away in March. Among family members left behind are Browning's six children, nine grandchildren and his parents, along with many others in his extended family. During the service, each of his children and grandkids left a rose inside his open coffin.