Cincinnati Reds History

Cincinnati Reds Baseball History

Cincinnati Reds, professional baseball team and one of six teams in the Central Division of the National League (NL). The team was originally called the Red Stockings, and it took its current name in 1890. The Reds play at Cinergy Field in Cincinnati, Ohio, and wear uniforms of white and red.

During the 1970s Cincinnati’s so-called Big Red Machine won two World Series championships, four NL pennants, and six division titles. Managed by Sparky Anderson, the Reds of the 1970s rank as one of the most powerful dynasties in major league history, with players such as Johnny Bench, George Foster, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Pete Rose, and Tom Seaver. Six Cincinnati players earned most valuable player (MVP) honors in that decade. In the 1990s the Reds won two division titles and a World Series with lineups featuring Eric Davis, Barry Larkin, Kevin Mitchell, and Reggie Sanders.

In 1869 the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional baseball organization in the United States, and seven years later the club became a charter member of the NL. In 1880 NL president William Hulbert and most team owners banned the sale of beer at Sunday games; when Cincinnati refused to adhere to the new NL rule, the team was ejected from the league. The Red Stockings and six other teams formed the American Association (AA) in 1881 and Cincinnati won the first AA pennant in 1882.

Cincinnati rejoined the NL in 1890 as the Reds, but the team struggled for nearly 30 years, finishing no better than third place from 1890 to 1918. The Reds won their first NL pennant and first World Series in 1919, led by outfielder Edd Roush and pitchers Hod Eller, Dutch Ruether, and Slim Sallee. The Series victory over the Chicago White Sox was tainted, however, after eight Chicago players admitted to accepting bribes from gamblers in exchange for intentionally poor play.

Twenty years passed before Cincinnati won another pennant. Several outstanding pitchers played for Cincinnati during its pennant drought, including Eppa Rixey and Johnny Vander Meer. In 1938 Vander Meer threw two consecutive no-hitters, becoming the only pitcher in major league history to do so.

Led by catcher Ernie Lombardi, first baseman Frank McCormick, and pitcher Bucky Walters, the Reds captured back-to-back pennants in 1939 and 1940 and defeated the Detroit Tigers to win a second World Series title in 1940. After the victory, Cincinnati faded as an NL power in the 1940s and 1950s. To avoid association with Communists, who were sometimes called Reds, the club took the name Redlegs from 1953 to 1959.

Cincinnati again was on top in 1961 as star outfielders Vada Pinson and the season’s NL MVP, Frank Robinson, powered Cincinnati to its fourth pennant before a World Series loss to the New York Yankees. Second baseman and outfielder Pete Rose joined the Reds in 1963, winning NL rookie of the year honors.

In 1970 first-year manager Sparky Anderson led the Reds to the first of Cincinnati’s four pennants during the decade. Catcher Johnny Bench, first baseman Lee May, and third baseman Tony Perez each hit more than 30 home runs. One of the finest defensive catchers of all time, Bench won his first of two MVP awards that year. He earned his second MVP award in 1972 as the Reds captured the NL pennant. A year later Rose captured the MVP award as Cincinnati won its third division title before losing to the New York Mets in the NL Championship Series.

The club peaked in 1975 and 1976, becoming the first NL team since the New York Giants of 1921 and 1922 to win back-to-back World Series titles. In 1976 the Big Red Machine led the NL in all 12 major offensive categories. Second baseman Joe Morgan won his second consecutive MVP award, and Rose, nicknamed Charlie Hustle, led the league in hits, runs, and doubles in 1976. The Reds won another division title in 1979, assisted by veteran pitcher Tom Seaver, but fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NL Championship Series.

Rose became player-manager in 1984 and directed the team to four straight second-place finishes from 1985 to 1988. In 1989 Rose was banned from professional baseball for life after he was accused of betting on major league games.

In 1990 first-year manager Lou Piniella guided Cincinnati to its fifth World Series title. The Reds led the NL with a team batting average of .265, powered by outfielder Eric Davis, shortstop Barry Larkin, and third baseman Chris Sabo. In 1995 Larkin led the Reds to the Central Division title and was named NL MVP. The Reds made a spirited run at the playoffs in 1999 but finished one game behind the Mets for the wild card berth. Before the 2000 season the Reds traded for outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. Griffey’s father, Ken Griffey, Sr., starred for Cincinnati in the 1970s and early 1980s.
CHAMPIONSHIPS
1919 - d. Chicago in 8 games
1940 - d. Detroit in 7 games
1975 - d. Boston in 7 games
1976 - d. NY Reds in 4 games
1990 - d. Oakland in 4 games
Won the American Association Pennant in 1882.
Won the National League pennant in 1919, 1939, 1940, 1961, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1990.

TOP MANAGER
Sparky Anderson managed the Reds from 1970 to 1978, during the Big Red Machine years, and led the team to a 863-586 record. Under his leadership, the team won six division titles, four NL Pennants, and 2 World Series. Pete Rose served as manager from 1984-89 and finished with a 412-373 record. Jack McKeon was named NL Manager of the year in 1999.

MVPS
Ernie Lombardi (1938), Bucky Walters (1939), Frank McCormick (1940), Frank Robinson (1961), Johnny Bench (1970, 1972), Pete Rose (1973), Joe Morgan (1975, 1976), George Foster (1977), Barry Larkin (1995)

CY YOUNG
The franchise has never had a Cy Young winner.

ROOKIE OF YEAR
Frank Robinson (1956), Pete Rose (1963), Tommy Helms (1966),. Johnny Bench (1968), Pat Zachary (1976, co-winner), Chris Sabo (1988), Scott Williamson (1999)

RETIRED NUMBERS
1 - Fred Hutchinson (Mgr)
5 - Johnny Bench (C)
8 - Joe Morgan (2B)
18 - Ted Kluszewski (OF)
20 - Frank Robinson (OF)