DaytonDailyNews.com

Jeff Brantley could talk about anything at Wright State baseball's First Pitch Dinner at the Nutter Center next Wednesday, with two themes likely emerging.

He'll probably talk about truth in broadcasting, and the virtues of a college education.

After all, the color analyst for the Reds on both radio and television is a college graduate.

"I was a junior at Mississippi State and the Expos drafted me (in the 13th round) in 1984," Brantley said between stops on the Reds Caravan Tour on Thursday, Jan. 22. "My dad said I wasn't going to play pro baseball until I graduated from college."

That extra season allowed Brantley to become an All-America pitcher, appear in the College World Series and be drafted in the sixth round in 1985 by the Giants. He played in 14 major-league seasons, mostly as a reliever.

Four of those seasons were with the Reds, from 1994-97, which made him an easy connection when the franchise was looking for a player in the booth, enhanced by his already working for ESPN.

Not only that, Brantley fit in with the tone Marty Brennaman already set: Tell the truth, even though it may not be complimentary to the Reds.

"When you're doing color, you're responsible for telling why things are going on," Brantley said. "I am critical when bad things happen. I don't try to be over-critical and, obviously, I work for the Reds. I want them to win. But I'm not going to make anything up. I'm here to tell what's happening on the field."

That doesn't always work with the players, and Brantley understands.

When he was playing, "I had a real difficult time with it if anyone criticized me at all," Brantley said. "Any player would feel that way. But when you're talking, you're issuing an opinion."

Brantley has issued opinions, and some players heard things they didn't like. There was a celebrated event with Ken Griffey Jr. last summer when Griffey hit a home run, then looked up at the booth and made a slashing gesture across his neck, meant for Brantley.

"We talked about it later," Brantley said. "He was told I said some things I didn't say."

On the other hand, Brantley is not shy when observing how the Reds have played the last two seasons, when they lost 90, then 88 games.

It's tough to make that sound better than it is. Maybe he'll expand on that subject Wednesday.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Dinner is at 7 with the program at 7:45. Cost is $60 per person. Call (937) 775-3667 for more information.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2157 or mkatz@DaytonDailyNews.com.