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For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

Reds Stadium Announcer Joe Zerhusen Goes On DL

John Kiesewetter
Joe Zerhusen at Reds season ticket lunch Friday April 20.

Reds public address announcer Joe Zerhusen went on the disabled list Friday to seek treatment for a "health issue," he says.

Zerhusen, the PA announcer since Great American Ball Park opened in 2003, told me Friday he will miss the remaining games this weekend, and most of the 14 games in May.

Doing the announcing Friday was Aaron Sharpe, WNKU-FM acting general manager and music host. Sharpe has worked as the Reds DJ for years, playing the recorded music between innings and each batter's walk-up song.

Zerhusen will continue his duties as supervisor of the Reds Radio Network, a year round position.

Before being hired by the Reds in 2003, Zerhusen's deep voice was familiar on local radio from his 25-year career at WRRM-FM, WOFX-FM, WCKY-AM and WUBE-AM, and as the PA man for University of Cincinnati football and basketball games.

Sharpestarted at WNKU-FM (89.7) as a volunteer board operator in 1998. He was hired as development director in 1999, and was named acting general manager last October when Sean O'Mealy resigned. He's on the air 4-6 p.m. weekdays, and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays.

On Saturday morning he posted a photo on Facebook from the PA booth, located between the press box and the Fox Sports Ohio TV booth. "Had a slightly different view of the field last night as I moved from the DJ chair to the announcer's chair. This weekend, I'm humbled to be filling in for the best Public Address Announcer in the business, Joe Zerhusen. If I can do it half as well as he does it, I'll be happy."

He did fine. I was at the Reds game Friday night, and Sharpe did a very good job at the GABP microphone.

John Kiesewetter, who has covered television and media for more than 35 years, has been working for Cincinnati Public Radio and WVXU-FM since 2015.