Season 4, Episode 3: Tom Tsuchiya, Sculpting Cincinnati's Baseball Legacy

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Summary

In this episode of 'We Love Our Team', hosts Jack and Randy interview renowned artist Tom Tsuchiya, who shares his journey as a Cincinnati native and his experiences creating iconic baseball bronze statues and the gazebo for the Great American Ballpark: Statues of Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, and Pete Rose being the most recent, along with the gazebo featuring the 1869 Red Stockings.

Tom discusses his early memories of being a Reds fan, the significance of the 1990 Reds team, and the artistic process behind his sculptures, including the upcoming statue of announcer Marty Brennaman. The conversation highlights Tom's passion for art, baseball, and his deep connection to Cincinnati culture.

Takeaways

• Tom Tsuchiya is a proud Cincinnatian and Reds fan.
• His parents were baseball fans, which influenced his love for the sport.
• The 1990 Reds team exemplified the essence of teamwork in baseball.
• Tom's journey into sculpture was inspired by his childhood experiences in Japan.
• He created the statues for Great American Ballpark after winning a bid.
• Tom's artistic process involves collaboration with players and the Reds organization.
• The upcoming statue of Marty Brenneman is a significant project for Tom.
• Each statue captures a unique moment in baseball history.
• Tom emphasizes the importance of fan engagement with the statues.
• Future projects may include more statues of Reds legends.

Sound Bites

• "The whole team is the MVP."
• "I think the ball would be at that spot."
• "I love Gold Star more."