When the history of Major League Baseball is written, few franchises can claim a deeper connection to the birth of professional baseball than the Cincinnati Reds. Cincinnati’s baseball story reaches back to the 1860s, and the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings are generally recognized as baseball’s first openly professional team.
The modern Cincinnati Reds trace their heritage to that tradition. Over more than a century and a half, Cincinnati baseball has produced championship teams, Hall of Fame players, legendary ballparks, controversial owners, heartbreaking trades and one of the greatest dynasties baseball has ever seen—the Big Red Machine.
The Reds have won five World Series championships: 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976 and 1990. They have appeared in nine World Series.
But the story begins before the World Series, before the National League and even before professional baseball was fully accepted. The Beginning: Cincinnati and the Birth of Professional Baseball 1866–1868: The Cincinnati Baseball Club
Baseball was already becoming popular in Cincinnati during the 1860s. Harry Wright, an English-born cricketer who had become deeply interested in baseball, became one of the most important figures in developing the Cincinnati club. Wright was more than a player. He was an organizer, manager, recruiter and baseball visionary. Together with other Cincinnati baseball leaders, including George Ellard, Wright helped transform the local club into a serious baseball organization. The club recruited talented players from around the country and gradually became much stronger than the ordinary amateur teams of the day.
The team played at the Union Grounds, where admission could be charged and spectators could watch organized baseball. By 1868, Cincinnati had assembled a team capable of competing with the best clubs in the country.
Then came 1869. 1869: The Year Professional Baseball Was Born. The most important year in Cincinnati baseball history was 1869. The rules of baseball were changing. For the first time, organized baseball officially permitted clubs to pay players. Most leading clubs hesitated to embrace professionalism because they feared the public would not accept paid athletes. Cincinnati did not hesitate. Harry Wright understood that paying players could allow the club to recruit the best baseball talent available. +He assembled a team that included his younger brother, George Wright, along with Charlie Gould, Fred Waterman, Doug Allison, Andy Leonard, Asa Brainard, Charlie Sweasy and Cal McVey. The team was called the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The players were paid salaries, practiced regularly and traveled to play other clubs. The experiment was an enormous success.
The 1869 Red Stockings finished the season with a staggering: 57 victories — 0 defeats. They went undefeated while traveling throughout the country, defeating many of the best teams in existence. The Reds’ own historical records describe the 1869 club as baseball’s first all-professional team. The team drew more than 200,000 spectators during its games, an extraordinary number for the era.
George Wright: Baseball’s First Superstar. George Wright was the greatest player on that team. In 1869, the Hall of Fame credits Wright with an extraordinary .629 batting average, 304 hits, 339 runs and 49 home runs while Cincinnati went 57-0. The statistics must be understood in the context of nineteenth-century baseball, whose rules, equipment and statistical conventions were very different from today’s game. George Wright eventually became a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His brother Harry is also in the Hall of Fame and is frequently called the father of professional baseball.
The Red Stockings Disband. The incredible 1869 season could not be sustained forever. Cincinnati continued playing professionally in 1870 and extended its remarkable winning streak before finally losing games to increasingly competitive professional clubs. Attendance declined as the team began losing. The organization eventually disbanded the professional Red Stockings after the 1870 season.
But professional baseball had been permanently changed. Other clubs saw what Cincinnati had accomplished and recognized that paying players could create stronger teams and attract spectators. The professional sports model that dominates American sports today was beginning to take shape.
The Reds Return: The National League Era. The Cincinnati baseball story continued through several organizations. The Cincinnati club eventually became part of the National League, which was founded in 1876. The early Cincinnati National League club was not identical in every legal sense to the 1869 Red Stockings, although today’s Reds claim the heritage of the earlier team. The Reds’ historical connection to the original Red Stockings is therefore both cultural and organizational. The National Baseball Hall of Fame notes that the modern Reds adopted the historic Red Stockings name when Cincinnati joined the major leagues in 1882.
The American Association Years. In 1882, Cincinnati became a charter member of the American Association, a rival major league to the National League. Cincinnati immediately became a powerhouse. The club won the 1882 American Association championship, establishing one of the earliest championship traditions in Cincinnati professional baseball.
One of the great stars of this era was: Bid McPhee, Position: Second base,
Reds years: 1882–1899, Birthplace: Massillon, Ohio. McPhee played his entire major-league career in Cincinnati. He was one of baseball’s greatest defensive second basemen of the nineteenth century. For much of his career, he played without a glove. McPhee eventually became a National Baseball Hall of Famer in 2000.
Cincinnati Returns to the National League. The Reds returned to the National League in 1890. The name “Reds” survived and eventually became permanently associated with Cincinnati. The club went through numerous changes during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, but Cincinnati remained one of baseball’s important cities.
The Cincinnati Reds’ Historic Ballparks. One of the best ways to understand Reds history is to follow the team through its ballparks.
1. Union Grounds 1869–1870. This was the home of the original professional Cincinnati Red Stockings. It stood near the area that later became associated with Union Terminal and the Cincinnati Museum Center. The grandstand, known as the Grand Duchess, could hold approximately 4,000 spectators. This is where the professional baseball revolution began.
2. Avenue Grounds, 1876–1879. Cincinnati moved approximately two miles north to Avenue Grounds. The facility could accommodate roughly 3,000 spectators. Transportation was an important consideration because the park was several miles from the center of Cincinnati.
3. Bank Street Grounds. 1880–1883. The Reds moved closer to downtown. Bank Street Grounds could accommodate about 4,000 fans and even featured early scoreboard innovations showing player names and scores from other games.
4. League Park, 1884–1901. Originally called American Park, it was renamed League Park when Cincinnati returned to the National League in 1890. The park featured covered grandstand seating and open seating along the foul lines.
5. Palace of the Fans, 1902–1911. One of baseball’s most beautiful early ballparks, Palace of the Fans was created after a fire destroyed much of the previous grandstand. The new structure featured elaborate columns, decorative architecture and even private “fashion boxes” resembling opera boxes. It was one of the most ornate baseball stadiums of its time.
6. Crosley Field, 1912–1970 . Few ballparks are more closely associated with Cincinnati history than Crosley Field. It originally opened as Redland Field in 1912. In 1934, new owner Powel Crosley Jr. renamed it Crosley Field. The ballpark became famous for its unusual sloping left-field terrace, intimate dimensions and connection to some of the most important moments in Reds history. Crosley was also the site of: The 1919 World Series
The Reds’ 1940 championship. Major League Baseball’s first night game in 1935. The early careers of Pete Rose, Johnny Bench and Tony Pérez. The emergence of the Reds’ 1960s stars. Crosley Field was also the only Reds ballpark where Cincinnati clinched a World Series championship at home. That happened in 1940.
7. Riverfront Stadium, 1970–2002. Riverfront Stadium opened in 1970 along the Ohio River. It was a multipurpose stadium shared by the Reds and the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals. It became the home of the greatest Reds team of the modern era. The Big Red Machine won World Series championships there in: 1975 and 1976. Riverfront also hosted the 1970 All-Star Game only two weeks after opening.
8. Great American Ball Park, 2003–present. Great American Ball Park opened in 2003 along the Ohio River. It replaced Riverfront Stadium and became the Reds’ current home. The stadium incorporates numerous reminders of Reds history, including statues honoring Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Pérez and Pete Rose.
The First Reds World Series: 1919. The Reds reached their first World Series in 1919. Cincinnati defeated the Chicago White Sox 5 games to 3 in the best-of-nine World Series. The championship was especially important because the White Sox were later revealed to have participated in the infamous Black Sox scandal. Cincinnati’s championship nevertheless stands as the franchise’s first World Series title. The Reds clinched the pennant at Redland Field before winning the World Series in Chicago.
Edd Roush: The Great Star of the Early Reds. Reds: 1916–1926, 1931, Birthplace: Oakland City, Indiana. Position: Center field. Roush was one of the greatest hitters and defensive outfielders of his generation. He won two National League batting championships. He hit .341 in 1917 and .321 in 1919. He was a major contributor to Cincinnati’s 1919 championship. Roush was eventually elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962. The Reds organization once described Roush as the greatest player to wear a Cincinnati uniform during the franchise’s first century. Ironically, Roush was eventually traded by Cincinnati to the New York Giants.
The 1939–1940 Reds. The Reds gradually rebuilt themselves into a powerhouse during the 1930s. Owner Powel Crosley Jr. provided financial stability, while general manager Warren Giles and manager Bill McKechnie helped construct an outstanding team.
Cincinnati won the National League pennant in 1939. but lost the World Series to the New York Yankees. The following year Cincinnati returned even stronger. 1940 World Series The Reds defeated the Detroit Tigers 4 games to 3. It was Cincinnati’s second World Series championship. The 1940 team included stars such as: Ernie Lombardi,
Paul Derringer, Bucky Walters, Frank McCormick, Ival Goodman, Lonny Frey.
The Reds’ 1939 and 1940 teams were considered the greatest Cincinnati teams before the Big Red Machine era. Powel Crosley Jr.: Cincinnati’s Most Historically Important Owner If one owner deserves special recognition in Reds history, it is Powel Crosley Jr. Crosley was a Cincinnati industrialist, entrepreneur and radio pioneer. He purchased the financially struggling Reds in 1934. He did more than simply own the club. He helped stabilize the organization, supported improvements to the ballpark and became deeply involved in Cincinnati civic life. Under Crosley’s ownership, the Reds won the 1940 World Series and became one of the National League’s strongest teams. He also presided over the introduction of night baseball in Cincinnati. The Reds describe Crosley’s nearly three decades of stewardship as a period of stability and innovation.
Another Famous Owner: Marge Schott. No discussion of famous Reds owners can ignore Marge Schott. Schott became nationally famous—and infamous—during her ownership. She owned the Reds during the late 1980s and 1990s, including the 1990 championship season. Her tenure was highly controversial because of repeated public statements and controversies surrounding her management of the organization. Nevertheless, her ownership is permanently connected to one of the greatest surprises in franchise history. 1961: The Reds Return to the World Series. The Reds shocked baseball in 1961. Led by stars including: Frank Robinson, Vada Pinson, Frank Malzone?, Jim O’Toole, Joey Jay, Gordy Coleman
Cincinnati won the National League pennant. The Reds faced the powerful New York Yankees. The Yankees won the World Series 4 games to 1. But the 1961 season announced that Cincinnati was becoming a major force again. Frank Robinson: The Great Reds Trade That Went Wrong. One of the most painful transactions in Reds history occurred after the 1965 season. Cincinnati traded Frank Robinson to the Baltimore Orioles. The Reds received Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun and Dick Simpson. It became one of the most lopsided trades in baseball history. Robinson immediately exploded in Baltimore. In 1966 he hit: .316, 49 home runs, 122 RBI. He won the Triple Crown. He also became the first player to win the MVP award in both leagues. The Orioles won the World Series, and Robinson was World Series MVP.. Cincinnati had traded away a future Hall of Famer who still had his best baseball ahead of him.
1970: The Beginning of the Big Red Machine. The Reds reached the World Series in 1970. The lineup was becoming spectacular. It included: Pete Rose, Johnny Bench ,Tony Pérez, Lee May, Bobby Tolan, and Dave Concepción. Joe Morgan was not yet with Cincinnati. The Reds won the National League pennant but lost the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles 4–1.
The next step was one of the most important trades in Reds history.
The Joe Morgan Trade. After the 1971 season, Cincinnati traded Lee May, Tommy Helms and Jimmy Stewart to Houston. In return came: Joe Morgan, Jack Billingham César Gerónimo, Ed Armbrister, Denis Menke. At the time, many baseball observers thought Cincinnati had made a mistake. They were wrong. Morgan became the missing piece. The Hall of Fame describes the trade as one of the key transactions that created the Big Red Machine.
The Big Red Machine. From the early 1970s through the late 1970s, Cincinnati produced one of baseball’s greatest teams. The core included: Catcher Johnny Bench, Joeorgan, Second base, Tony Pérez First base, Pete Rose First base/second base/third base/outfield, Dave Concepción Shortstop, Ken Griffey Sr. Outfield, César Gerónimo Center field, George Foster Outfield, Don Gullett Pitcher, Gary Nolan Pitcher. And managing them was: Sparky Anderson. The nickname Big Red Machine became one of the most famous nicknames in baseball history. 1972: Another World Series Appearance. The Reds returned to the World Series in 1972. They faced the Oakland Athletics. Cincinnati lost the series 4–3.
The Reds had now reached the World Series in: 1970 and 1972. But the championship was still just out of reach.
1975: The Greatest Reds Team. The 1975 Reds may be the greatest team in franchise history. They won 108 games, establishing a franchise record at the time. The lineup was extraordinary. Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench,Tony Pérez, George Foster, Ken Griffey Sr, Dave Concepción, and César Gerónimo. The pitching staff included Don Gullett, Gary Nolan, Fred Norman and Jack Billingham. Cincinnati defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Championship Series. Then came the Boston Red Sox.
The 1975 World Series. The 1975 World Series is one of the greatest Fall Classics ever played. Cincinnati and Boston battled through six dramatic games. Then came Game 7. Tony Pérez hit a two-run home run that helped bring Cincinnati back into the game. The Reds eventually won 4–3. Cincinnati had won its first World Series championship in 35 years.
1976: The Reds Do It Again. The 1976 Reds were even more dominant. Cincinnati won the National League pennant and swept the Philadelphia Phillies in the NLCS. Then they faced the New York Yankees. The Reds swept the Yankees: Cincinnati 4, New York 0. The Reds had become back-to-back World Series champions. Joe Morgan won consecutive National League MVP awards in 1975 and 1976. Johnny Bench was the centerpiece of the team.
Tony Pérez was one of baseball’s great run producers. Pete Rose was the relentless hit machine. Together they created one of the most recognizable lineups in baseball history.
The Big Red Machine Breaks Apart. Great teams rarely stay together forever. Tony Pérez was traded to the Montreal Expos after the 1976 season. It was one of the most controversial moves in Reds history. Pérez had been one of the emotional leaders of the club. The trade effectively marked the beginning of the end of the original Big Red Machine. The Hall of Fame later elected Pérez in 2000.
1990: The Wire-to-Wire Champions. Fourteen years after their last championship, Cincinnati shocked baseball again. The 1990 Reds were not supposed to defeat the powerful Oakland Athletics. Oakland featured Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Rickey Henderson and a dominant pitching staff. Cincinnati swept them. Reds 4, Athletics 0 The 1990 Reds became world champions. Key players included:
Barry Larkin, Eric Davis, Chris Sabo, Paul O’Neill, José Rijo, Tom Browning, Rob Dibble, Randy Myers, Lou Piniella, and José Rijo was named World Series MVP. The Reds’ 1990 championship remains one of the most remarkable postseason performances in franchise history.
Cincinnati’s World Series History. The Reds have appeared in the World Series nine tmes.
1919, Chicago White Sox Won 5–3
1939, New York Yankees, Lost 4–0
1940, Detroit Tigers, Won 4–3
1961, New York Yankees, Lost 4–1
1970, Baltimore Orioles, Lost 4–1
1972 ,Oakland Athletics, Lost 4–3
1975, Boston Red Sox, Won 4–3
1976, New York Yankees, Won 4–0
1990, Oakland Athletics, Won 4–0
Total World Series championships: 5
The Greatest Reds Players of All Time. Ranking players from different eras is difficult because baseball changed dramatically over the decades. The following is a subjective ranking based primarily on what each player accomplished as a Cincinnati Red, rather than simply his entire career.
1. Johnny Bench, Reds: 1967–1983, Birthplace: Binger, Oklahoma, Position: Catcher, Hall of Fame: 1989. Bench is my choice for the greatest Cincinnati Red ever. He spent his entire 17-year career with Cincinnati. He was a two-time National League MVP, 10-time Gold Glove winner and a key leader of the Big Red Machine. He helped Cincinnati win four National League pennants and two World Series championships.
2. Pete Rose. Reds: 1963–1978; 1984–1986, Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, Position: Multiple positions. Rose is baseball’s all-time hit leader with 4,256 hits. He collected 3,358 of those hits as a Red. He won the 1973 National League MVP Award and was one of the most important players of the Big Red Machine. MLB reinstated Rose in 2025, but his Hall of Fame status remains separate from his reinstatement.
3. Joe Morgan, Reds: 1972–1979, Birthplace: Bonham, Texas, Position: Second base
Hall of Fame: 1990. Morgan was the engine of the Big Red Machine. He won consecutive National League MVP awards in 1975 and 1976. He was an All-Star in all eight of his Cincinnati seasons. His combination of power, speed, defense, plate discipline and intelligence made him one of the greatest second basemen in baseball history.
4. Barry Larkin, Reds: 1986–2004, Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, Position: Shortstop, Hall of Fame: 2012. Larkin was the hometown superstar of a later generation. He played his entire major-league career with Cincinnati. He was an MVP, nine-time Silver Slugger winner and three-time Gold Glove winner. He also helped lead Cincinnati to the 1990 championship.
5. Frank Robinson. Reds: 1956–1965, Birthplace: Beaumont, Texas, Position: Outfield
Hall of Fame: 1982. Robinson was one of the most complete players ever to wear a Reds uniform. He won the 1961 NL MVP. His 1966 Triple Crown with Baltimore after being traded by Cincinnati makes the trade one of the most painful episodes in Reds history.
6. Tony Pérez. Reds: 1964–1976; 1984–1986, Birthplace: Central Violeta, Camagüey, Cuba
Position: First base/third base. Hall of Fame: 2000. Pérez was the RBI man of the Big Red Machine. He finished his career with: 379 home runs, 1,652 RBI, 2,732 hits. He was a seven-time All-Star and played in five World Series.
7. Edd Roush. Reds: 1916–1926; 1931. Birthplace: Oakland City, Indiana, Position: Center field. Hall of Fame: 1962 Roush was Cincinnati’s great star of the 1910s and 1920s. He won two batting championships and starred on the 1919 championship team.
8. Ernie Lombardi. Reds: 1931–1932; 1938–1940, Birthplace: Oakland, California, Position: Catcher. Hall of Fame: 1986. Lombardi was an exceptional hitter and one of the best catchers of his generation. He won batting titles and helped Cincinnati win the 1940 World Series.
9. Joey Votto. Reds: 2007–2023, Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Position: First base Votto became one of the greatest hitters in modern Reds history. He won the 2010 National League MVP Award and combined outstanding power with elite plate discipline. His 17 seasons in Cincinnati make him one of the most important Reds players of the twenty-first century.
10. Ken Griffey Sr. Reds: 1973–1981; 1988–1990, Birthplace: Donora, Pennsylvania, Position: Outfield, Griffey Sr. was an important member of the Big Red Machine. He was a three-time All-Star and won World Series championships with Cincinnati in 1975 and 1976. He also became the father of Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr.
Other Great Reds Players Who Deserve Mention. A top-ten list inevitably leaves out outstanding players. Among the other important Reds stars are: George Foster, Dave Concepción, Vada Pinson,Gus Bell, Paul Derringer, Bucky Walters, Johnny Vander Meer, Frank McCormick, Jose Rijo, Eric Davis, Chris Sabo, Tom Browning, Paul O’Neill, Jim Maloney, Ted Kluszewski, Darryl Kile, Adam Dunn, Jay Bruce,
Reds Players in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Cincinnati’s Hall of Fame tradition is extensive. Among the most significant Hall of Famers associated with Cincinnati are: Nineteenth-century pioneers. Harry Wright. George Wright Bid McPhee, Jake Beckley, Fred Clarke, Jim O’Rourke,
Twentieth-century stars. Edd Roush, Ernie Lombardi, Frank Robinson, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Pérez, Barry Larkin, Ken Griffey Jr., Tom Seaver
Some of these players spent their greatest years in Cincinnati; others had relatively short Reds careers but are included because of their overall Hall of Fame careers.
Harry and George Wright are particularly important because they connect the Reds directly to the birth of professional baseball.
Famous Hall of Famers Cincinnati Traded Away
The Reds have made some outstanding trades.
Unfortunately, they have also made some trades that Reds fans would probably like to erase from the history books.
Frank Robinson → Baltimore, 1965. Cincinnati traded Robinson to Baltimore. He immediately became an MVP and Triple Crown winner. This is arguably the most famous bad trade in Reds history. Edd Roush → New York Giants, 1926, Roush was traded to the Giants. He had already established himself as one of Cincinnati’s greatest players and later entered the Hall of Fame. He eventually returned to Cincinnati for one final season.
Jake Beckley → St. Louis. Beckley played for Cincinnati from 1897 through 1903 before finishing his career with St. Louis. He later entered the Hall of Fame.
Tom Seaver → Chicago White Sox. Seaver had already established himself as a Hall of Fame-caliber pitcher before Cincinnati eventually traded him away. His Reds years were still highly significant.
The larger lesson from Reds history is that Cincinnati has sometimes traded players either because of economics, age, personality, rebuilding plans or the belief that the player was declining—only to watch that player continue producing elsewhere.
The Joe Morgan Trade: The Other Side of the Story. It is important not to portray every Reds trade involving a future star as a disaster. The Joe Morgan trade is the perfect example.
Cincinnati sent Lee May, Tommy Helms and Jimmy Stewart to Houston.They received Morgan and several other players. Morgan became a Hall of Famer and one of the central figures of the Big Red Machine.
So Cincinnati’s trade history contains both extremes: . Frank Robinson trade —disaster Joe Morgan trade — franchise-changing success. . The Morgan deal helped transform Cincinnati from a good team into a dynasty.
Father and Son Baseball in the Reds Family. Cincinnati has one of baseball’s great father-son stories. Gus Bell and Buddy Bell. Gus Bell was a four-time All-Star with Cincinnati.
Gus Bell, Reds: 1953–1961, Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky, His son: Buddy Bell, Reds: 1985–1988 Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Buddy was also born into a major-league baseball family and eventually became the father of David Bell and Mike Bell. But did father and son actually play for the Reds together? No. Gus’ final Reds season was 1961.Buddy did not join Cincinnati until 1985.
Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. This is one of the most interesting distinctions in Reds history. Ken Griffey Sr. was a major star for Cincinnati. Ken Griffey Sr.: Reds 1973–1981 and 1988–1990. His son, Ken Griffey Jr., eventually became a Reds player from 2000–2008. But they never played for Cincinnati at the same time. In fact, their most famous father-son moment occurred with the Seattle Mariners. On August 31, 1990, Ken Griffey Sr. and Ken Griffey Jr. became the first father and son to appear together in the same Major League lineup. At the time, Griffey Sr. had been playing for the Reds and Griffey Jr. was a young star with Seattle. That makes the story particularly interesting for Reds fans produced the father. The Reds later acquired the son. But Seattle got the historic father-son game.
Tony Pérez and Eduardo Pérez. Another famous Reds baseball family is the Pérez family, Tony Pérez was one of the greatest players in Reds history. His son Eduardo Pérez also played for Cincinnati from 1996–1998. However, they did not play for the Reds simultaneously. Tony’s final Cincinnati playing years were 1984–1986. Eduardo arrived later.
Pete Rose and Pete Rose Jr. Pete Rose Jr. played for Cincinnati in 1997. His father had last played for the Reds in 1986. Again, the family connection was real, but father and son did not play together for Cincinnati.
The Reds therefore have one of baseball’s richest multigenerational histories, even though the famous father-son combinations generally did not actually play for Cincinnati simultaneously.
Cincinnati’s Importance to Baseball History
The Cincinnati Reds are more than another Major League franchise.
Cincinnati can legitimately claim to be one of the places where modern professional baseball began.
The 1869 Red Stockings demonstrated that: Players could be paid. Players could train regularly. Teams could recruit talent nationally. Teams could travel long distances to play. Professional baseball could attract enormous crowds. A professional club could become a national attraction. The 1869 team went 57–0. That achievement helped demonstrate that professional baseball could become a sustainable entertainment business.
From the Red Stockings to the Big Red Machine. Few franchises have such a clear chain of baseball history. 1869 — First openly professional team. 1882 — American Association champions. 1890 — Return to National League. 1919 — First World Series Championship 1940 — Second World Series championship. 1961 — National League pennant. 1970 — World Series. 1972 — World Series. 1975 — World Series championship. 1976 — World Series championship. 1990 — World Series championship
The Reds have therefore had several different eras of greatness rather than one continuous dynasty.
Why the Cincinnati Reds Are Different
The Reds have something few other baseball organizations can claim.
Their history does not merely begin with the modern Major Leagues.
Their history reaches back to the creation of professional baseball itself.
Harry Wright helped establish the professional model.
George Wright became one of baseball’s first superstars.
Bid McPhee became a nineteenth-century legend.
Edd Roush carried the club to its first championship era.
Powel Crosley helped rescue the franchise and build the 1930s and 1940s Reds.
Frank Robinson became a superstar and then became one of the greatest examples of a bad trade in baseball history.
Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose and Tony Pérez formed the core of one of the greatest dynasties in baseball.
Barry Larkin became the hometown superstar of the next generation.
And the 1990 Reds produced one of the greatest postseason upsets in baseball history.
The Legacy of the Reds
When fans walk into Great American Ball Park today, they are not simply entering another modern stadium.
They are entering the latest chapter of a baseball story that began more than 150 years ago. The names have changed. The uniforms have changed. The equipment has changed. The rules have changed. The ballparks have changed. The economics of baseball have changed beyond recognition. But one thing has remained constant: Cincinnati has been a baseball city since the beginning of professional baseball.
From Harry Wright and George Wright to Johnny Bench, Pete Rose and Joe Morgan; from Crosley Field to Riverfront Stadium to Great American Ball Park; from the 57–0 Red Stockings to the Big Red Machine and the 1990 champions, the Cincinnati Reds have left a permanent mark on American baseball.
They are not merely one of the oldest names in the game.
They are part of the reason professional baseball became the game we know today.
Artie Fischal
