Bob Brenly

Robert Earl Brenly

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 210 lb.
• School Ohio University
• High School Coshocton High School
• Debut August 14, 1981
• Final Game October 1, 1989
• Born February 25, 1954 in Coshocton, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Brenly as Diamondbacks manager during the 2001 World Series

"'Look what I got!' said Steve (or Michael), waving a baseball card in Gary's face. 'Oh, a baseball card,' said Gary. 'A baseball card, he says,' said Steve (or Michael). 'It's not just a baseball card! Look at it!' Gary looked at it again. 'Bob Bremly,' he read aloud. Gary'd never heard of Bob Bremly, but he didn't want to disappoint Steve (or Michael). 'Great!' he said, trying to sound excited. 'He's a great player, all right.' 'No, he isn't,' said Steve (or Michael). 'There is no Bob Bremly. Bob Brenly was a catcher for the Giants. But see, they spelled his name wrong. It should be Brenly, not Bremly.'" - from the Louis Sachar book, Dogs Don't Tell Jokes

Bob Brenly enjoyed success as a player, manager, and broadcaster in Major League Baseball.

A catcher, Brenly was signed as a free agent by the San Francisco Giants and scout Herman Hannah on June 21, 1976. He reached the majors with the club in 1981 and became a regular behind the plate in 1983. The next summer, he had his finest year in the bigs, hitting .291 with 20 homers and 80 RBI and earning a spot on the National League All-Star team. In a September 14, 1986 game against the Atlanta Braves, Brenly started at third base and made four errors in one inning. However, he went 3 for 5 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI at the plate in that contest, driving in the winning run with a homer in the bottom of the 9th. After eight seasons with the Giants, Brenly signed with the Toronto Blue Jays prior to the 1989 season. He appeared in 48 games for the Jays and then returned to San Francisco late in the year, finishing his career.

Following his playing days, Brenly was a Chicago Cubs broadcaster in 1990 and 1991. He spent several years as a member of the Giants coaching staff from 1992 to 1995. He returned to the broadcast booth in 1996 for the FOX network and was later a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks TV crew during their inaugural season of 1998. Brenly became the D-Backs manager in 2001 and led the club to a World Series championship in his rookie year. He remained at the helm of the team for three and a half seasons. From 2007 to 2012, he provided color commentary on Cubs games before jumping back to the booth of the Diamondbacks, where he is currently partnered with Steve Berthiaume. From 2007 to 2013, he also provided color commentary nationally on TBS, primarily working with Dick Stockton.

His son, Mike, was drafted by the Cubs in the 2008 amateur draft and played in their organization.

Notable Achievements

• NL All-Star (1984)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1984)
• Division Titles: 2 (2001 & 2002)
• NL Pennants: 1 (2001)
• Managed one World Series Champion with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001

Preceded by Buck Showalter

Arizona Diamondbacks Manager 2001-2004

Succeeded by Al Pedrique

Year-By-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs	Notes
2001	Arizona Diamondbacks	National League	92-70	1st	Arizona Diamondbacks	Won World Series
2002	Arizona Diamondbacks	National League	98-64	1st	Arizona Diamondbacks	Lost NLDS
2003	Arizona Diamondbacks	National League	84-78	3rd	Arizona Diamondbacks
2004	Arizona Diamondbacks	National League	29-50	--	Arizona Diamondbacks		replaced by Al Pedrique on July 2

Related Sites

• BR Manager page