Findlay Market parade grand marshal Barry Larkin: Energy 'really touched me today'

Cincinnati Enquirer

The crowd reacts to Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Barry Larkin, during the Reds Community Fund Charity Block Party at The Banks, Tuesday, April 12, 2022. It was the Reds home opener against the Cleveland Guardians. Amongst the crowd was a giant Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow head.

National Baseball Hall of Famer and former Cincinnati Reds great Barry Larkin spoke at the conclusion of the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade with Bally Sports Ohio colleague John Sadak during "Reds Live" about Larkin's grand-marshal duties in Tuesday's parade.

"I was going into it thinking, 'OK, what can I compare this to in anticipation?'" Larkin said. "Well, I always think about coming to the ballpark on Opening Day as a player, and really waiting until the announcements are made before the game and you go and stand on the line and the crowd is just abuzz with the electricity and the energy in the ballpark. And that's exactly what I felt in that parade today. We got there this morning and the fans were all lining the streets there with like this anticipation there. People walking up to the car. Phil Castellini was driving the car, and it was just amazing. The weather cooperated. It was fun. But really it was about the enthusiasm of the fans. The connectivity of the fans, with the fans. And the energy. I think this city is ready for some great energy from this ballclub. Listen, we gotta hold serve here. Some really positive things have been happening athletically in this city. The Bengals did well. The Bearcats did well with football. And Xavier won the NIT. So it's time for us to hold serve. But Opening Day is always exciting. It was the energy that really touched me today.

"It was amazing. I couldn't imagine doing what I did today as a player. Because there's a tremendous amount of anticipation and expectation out there. And you know, you have to really stay on task as a player. So just totally different perspective. But I'm telling you the energy that I felt for Opening Day as a player as you line up is the exact energy that I felt as the grand marshal for the parade today."

Watch: Findlay Market Opening Day Parade highlights via social media

From The Enquirer's Meg Vogel via Twitter:

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