The Reds rookie has big shoes to fill. On Tuesday, Cincinnati Reds prospect Tyler Callihan received a call he’ll never forget: he was on his way to the big leagues. After being drafted by the Reds in 2019, Callihan made his long-awaited major league debut in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Callihan acquired a new jersey number after being allocated the less desirable No. 85 during spring training earlier this year, as is standard for most players entering the majors. Callihan wore No. 32 in his debut major league game, a number previously worn by reliever Justin Wilson in 2024.
However, most Reds fans connect Number 32 with one of two players. While Mr. Perfect Tom Browning has a special place in the hearts of Reds fans, there may not have been a more memorable event for the franchise in the last 25 years than Jay Bruce’s home run in the ninth inning of the division-clinching game against the Houston Astros on September 28, 2010.
Tyler Callihan is carrying the number that was previously worn by Reds All-Star outfielder Jay Bruce.
It appears to be one of the most overused moments in Reds history, but with so few accomplishments to draw from in recent decades, The Clinchmas Story remains one of the best. With the NL Central championship in their grasp, Cincinnati entered the bottom of the ninth inning tied 2-2 with Houston, and Bruce was up first. The Reds outfielder didn’t take long to recognize his pitch, rocketing the opening offering from Astros reliever Tim Brydak to straightaway center field and off the batter’s eye. Reds supporters will recall Bruce waving his finger in the air as the ball exited his bat. He knew it was gone—long gone. The Reds’ slugger couldn’t get around the bases fast enough, and when he arrived at home plate, he was surrounded by his teammates.
The Reds won 3-2, and Great American Ball Park hosted a celebration that Cincinnati had not seen in 25 years. It’s a little unrealistic to anticipate that kind of excitement from Callihan, but the Reds rookie does have some large shoes to fill. He’s a left-handed hitter who plays outfield and wears No. 32, but that’s about where the similarities end. Bruce was the 12th overall choice in the 2005 MLB Draft and was regarded as one of baseball’s top prospects before making his major league debut.
Callihan is a bat-first utility guy whose potential is not as high. Fans may experience memories if he takes up residence in right field during the Reds’ The current homestand.
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