By Shannon Russell
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Years before he came to Cincinnati, Steve Stewart imagined the radio commentator succeeding beloved Joe Nuxhall in the Reds broadcasting booth would have enormous shoes to fill.

OPENING DAY IN THE LIFE OF STEVE STEWART

6 a.m.: Awaken in Northern Kentucky hotel after four hours' sleep. 6:30 a.m.: Hop in cab headed to Clear Channel studios in Mount Adams. 7 a.m.: Arrive at WLW-AM, forgetting game binoculars in the seat of the cab. 7:15 a.m.: Start radio station grand tour. Stop in for a quick chat with WEBN disc jockeys. 7:30 a.m.: Chew the fat with WLW personality Jim Scott for an hour and a half, on the air. 9:05 a.m.: Spill life story to Enquirer shadower. 10 a.m.: Hop in jeep with Scott, head to Findlay Market Opening Day Parade. 10:30 a.m.: Realize forgot binoculars. 10:31 a.m.: Frantically call cab company in hopes of finding said binoculars. 10:35 a.m.: Assured by cab driver that binoculars are in a place that cabbie thinks he knows. 10:36 a.m.: Expect never to see binoculars again. 11:05 a.m.: Sign first autograph while waiting for Findlay Market Parade to start. 11:06 a.m.: Meet dozens of Reds fans, make introductions. Try to remember names. 11:41 a.m.: Accompany Scott in parade, preceding 700 WLW's 21-dog salute to Marge Schott. 11:55 p.m.: Wolf down a complimentary hot dog on the parade route. Meet Reds fans. Stop trying to remember names, now that they're in the thousands. 12:35 p.m.: After parade's end, attempt to go to In Between Tavern across from Great American Ball Park on Sycamore Street. 12:36 p.m.: Make mistake of driving there by car. 12:39 p.m.: Stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic. 12:41 p.m.: Still waiting. 12:45 p.m.: Still ...wait ... ing. 12:49 p.m.: Rush into In Between Tavern, do WLW spot with Andy Furman, Tracy Jones and Bill Cunningham. 12:53 p.m.: Predict the Reds will win 6-3. 12:55 p.m.: Autograph three Reds hats and two T-shirts. 1:45 p.m.: Make a beeline for the ballpark. Normally would be frantic arriving at park this late but will overlook it because it's a special occasion. 2 p.m.: Hunker down in a seat in the press box. A break, finally! 2:10 p.m.: Keep game score in book stowed in duffle bag. 4:30 p.m.: Pop into broadcasting booth of Marty Brennaman and Joe Nuxhall, wave hello. 4:33 p.m.: Finish score book, recording the Reds' 7-4 loss for the ages. 5 p.m.: One last trip to broadcasting booth, quick exchange with Marty. 5:05 p.m.: Find wife, Cindy. 5:30 p.m.: Leave Great American Ball Park until Wednesday. 5:33 p.m.: Collapse in exhaustion.

But as the newest addition to the Reds radio staff was introduced to thousands of Cincinnati baseball fans on a whirlwind Opening Day, he discovered something else: a world of support.

"Good luck, Steve!" called onlookers at the Findlay Market Opening Day Parade. "You're doing great!"

Before Monday, Stewart had spent two nights in Cincinnati and had never been to a Reds game in his life. After he was named Marty Brennaman's new mate Feb. 11, he flew to Florida and called nine of the Reds' spring training games.

Nothing, he said, could have prepared him for the holiday-like baseball atmosphere that greeted him on Opening Day. It didn't compare to anything he'd ever seen, and the 41-year-old soon-to-be-relocating resident of Ellicott City, Md., has watched his share of opening days - St. Louis, Boston, Baltimore.

"I'm just so overwhelmed. This was awesome," Stewart said. "It's better than I ever could have expected."

Stewart's season officially begins Friday, when he will help call the Pittsburgh series.

Sleep wasn't even a consideration the night before Opening Day, and Stewart arrived bright-eyed - clad in a red shirt and tan slacks - at the Clear Channel stations in Mount Adams after only four hours' rest. He started the day with a 10-minute live segment with the WEBN staff before an impromptu tour of the studio.

The main course of his morning was chatting up WLW-AM personality Jim Scott from 7:30-9 a.m., where Stewart was schooled in Cincinnati-isms: For example, when one wants something repeated in a conversation, that person says "Please?" instead of "What?" or "Excuse me?"

And, Scott wanted to know, what part of town did Stewart plan to move to? And what's it like to be assuming Nux's duties?

"I can understand why folks would be wary of someone new. To Reds fans, Marty and Joe are what's normal. I'm truly honored to be here - and I'm not just saying that," Stewart said.

There was barely time for a breakfast of Diet Coke and Reese's Cups before Scott whisked Stewart to the parade. On the way, Stewart realized he'd forgotten his binoculars on the cab ride to Mount Adams. That's the kind of stuff that's part of his appeal, Scott said.

"He's just a regular guy," Scott said. "I was impressed by all his skills, a broad range of skills. I'm just thrilled for him to get this job."

Scott and Stewart walked in the parade before WLW's 21-dog salute to Marge Schott. They wove through a sea of St. Bernards to meet and greet thousands of Reds fans lining the streets. "This is the new Reds guy," announced Scott.

Stewart also met Sen. Mike DeWine, Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune, parade grand marshal Dave Parker, parade chairman Neil Luken and legions of television and radio media.

After handshakes, autographs and one last radio spot at In Between Tavern on Sycamore Street, Stewart finally hunkered down in Great American Ball Park's press box. He didn't want to interrupt Marty and Joe's broadcast, so he only popped his head in and waved.

"They're the team. I don't want to get in the way," Stewart said.

Stewart and his wife, Cindy, plan to spend today looking for homes. They and their children - Enrique, 9, Emilio, 7, and John, 5 - will move after school ends in June.

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E-mail srussell@enquirer.com