Brodt hangs up his microphone with Kernels

CEDAR RAPIDS - Dale Brodt has decided to turn over his microphone to someone else.

The longtime Cedar Rapids Kernels public-address announcer was honored before last night's 9-6 win over Kane County at Memorial Stadium for his dedication to the ballclub. It's a dedication that covered 25 years and roughly 1,700 games.

"This PA position gave me the opportunity to pursue two of my passions: baseball and announcing," Brodt said. "Family comes first, of course. But this job gave me a chance at baseball and announcing. I've been involved in baseball since I was a little kid."

The Kernels awarded Brodt, 73, with a commemorative plaque, $60 gift certificate and lifetime pass to future home games. His family held a celebration during the game in one of the Veterans Memorial Stadium suites.

A 30-year veteran of television and radio, including a stint at KCRG, Brodt retired as chief zoning inspector for the city in 2003. He was hired by former general manager Don “Bucky” Buchheister to announce for the Cedar Rapids Reds at the old Memorial Stadium in 1987.

“At the old stadium, you opened the (window doors) to the press box and attached them to the roof,” he remembered. “So you'd freeze your butt off in the spring and sweat your butt off in the summer.”

The Kernels improved to 60-76 with this come-from-behind victory.

They fell behind early, 6-1, after three innings, as pitcher P.J. Jang's final 2011 start was a disaster: three innings, eight hits, six runs. But a seven-hit, six-run sixth rallied them.

The first seven hitters in the sixth had hits, including two-run doubles from Ricky Alvarez and Brian Hernandez. Alvarez had three doubles in the game to improve his team-leading total to 31.

Erik Gregersen, Tyler Kehrer and Dakota Robinson combined for six shutout innings out the bullpen, with Robinson notching his eighth save. He was named the Fan's Choice Award winner for 2011 prior to the game.

Cedar Rapids closes its home campaign tonight at 6:35 against Kane County. Then it's a three-game commuter series at Burlington before the boys of summer head home for the winter.