Tyler Callihan is carrying a number that once gave Reds fans the memory of a lifetime

On Tuesday, Cincinnati Reds prospect Tyler Callihan received a call that he'll never forget — he was headed to the big leagues. After being drafted by the Reds in 2019, Callihan finally made his long awaited major league debut during Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals.

As is customary for most players upon their entrance to the majors, Callihan received a brand new jersey number after being assigned the less-desirable No. 85 during spring training earlier this year. Callihan donned No. 32 for his first major league game, a number last worn by reliever Justin Wilson in 2024.

But most Reds fans associate No. 32 with one of two players. While Mr. Perfect Tom Browning holds a special place in the hearts of Reds Country, there may not have been a bigger moment for the franchise over 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 formerly worn by Reds All-Star outfielder Jay Bruce

It seems like one of the most overused moments in Reds history, but with so few achievements to pull from over the last few decades, The Clinchmas Story always stands out as one of the best.

With the NL Central championship within their grasp, Cincinnati headed into the bottom of the ninth inning in a 2-2 tie with Houston and Bruce was due up first. It didn't take the Reds outfielder long to see his pitch, as he rocketed the first offering from Astros' reliever Tim Brydak to straight away center field and off the batters eye.

Reds fans will remember, Bruce pointing his finger into the air the moment the ball left his bat. He knew it was gone — long gone. The Reds' slugger couldn't round the bases fast enough, and once he arrived at home plate, was mobbed by his teammates. The Reds won by the final of 3-2 and Great American Ball Park was the site of a celebration the city of Cincinnati hadn't seen in 25 years.

It's a bit unfair to expect that level of excitement from Callihan, but the Reds rookie does have some big shoes to fill. He's a left-handed hitter who plays the outfield while wearing No. 32, but that's about where the comparisons stop. Bruce was the 12th overall pick in the 2005 MLB Draft and regarded as one of the top prospects in baseball before his big league debut.

Callihan is a bat-first utility player whose ceiling isn't nearly as high. But fans might start having some flashbacks if he takes up residence in right field during the Reds current homestand.

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