Greg Hoard, a longtime Cincinnati sports anchor and reporter who spent years covering the Cincinnati Reds, passed away on February 27 at the age of 73.
An Indiana native, Hoard worked as the Reds beat writer for The Cincinnati Enquirer throughout the 1980s and also contributed to the now-defunct Cincinnati Post. In 1990, he transitioned to television, becoming a sports anchor and later the sports director for WLWT. He then joined WXIX Fox 19 in 1993 as the station’s first-ever sports anchor, a role he held for 12 years.
Fox 19 sports director Joe Danneman remembered Hoard as a genuine and unique presence in sports journalism.
“Greg was the most authentic person I’ve worked with,” Danneman told Fox19.com. “He would do live reports wearing an Indiana Hoosiers hat and a Hawaiian t-shirt, and it worked—because it was him. He will forever be remembered as one of the great sports reporters in Cincinnati. I’ll remember him as the co-worker and friend who taught me that your best professional self is your authentic self.”
Hoard covered the Reds during major events, including the Pete Rose gambling scandal in the late 1980s. He later reflected on Rose’s legacy following the baseball legend’s passing last year.
After leaving Fox 19, Hoard took on editorial roles at Cincinnati Profile and Cincinnati Gentleman magazines. He also authored several books, including Joe: Rounding Third and Heading for Home, which highlighted the life of legendary Reds pitcher and broadcaster Joe Nuxhall.
Following the news of his passing, many in the Cincinnati sports community shared fond memories of Hoard, honoring his contributions to journalism and the local sports scene.
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