Cincinnati Reds facts for kids
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 2025 Cincinnati Reds season |
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| World Series titles (5) |
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| NL Pennants (9) |
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| AA Pennants (1) | 1882 | ||||
| NL Central Division titles (3) |
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| NL West Division titles (7) |
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| Principal owner(s) | Bob Castellini | ||||
| President of baseball operations | Nick Krall | ||||
| General manager | Brad Meador | ||||
| Manager | Terry Francona | ||||
The Cincinnati Reds are a professional baseball team from Cincinnati, Ohio. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central Division. The team started in 1881 as a founding member of the American Association before joining the NL in 1890.
The Reds played in the NL West division from 1969 to 1993. Then, in 1994, they moved to the Central division. In the 1970s, they were known as the "Big Red Machine" because they were one of the best teams in baseball. They won the World Series in 1975 and 1976. Famous players from that time include Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Tony Pérez.
Overall, the Reds have won five World Series championships. They have also won nine NL pennants, one American Association pennant, and 10 division titles. Their home games are played at Great American Ball Park, which opened in 2003. Since 2006, Bob Castellini has been the team's CEO. The Reds have a long history with many wins and losses.
Contents
- Cincinnati Reds Team History
- How the Reds Baseball Team Started (1881–1889)
- Joining the National League Again (1890–1911)
- From Redland Field to the Great Depression (1912–1932)
- Championship Baseball and Revival (1933–1940)
- The Reds in the Mid-Century (1941–1969)
- The Big Red Machine Era (1970–1976)
- The Machine Changes (1977–1989)
- World Championship and a New Era (1990–2002)
- Modern Era of Reds Baseball (2003–Present)
- Reds Home Ballparks
- Reds Logos and Uniforms
- Awards and Team Honors
- MLB All-Star Games Hosted by the Reds
- Reds Team Rivalries
- Reds Media Coverage
- Community Involvement
- Reds Team Roster
- Minor League Teams Affiliated with the Reds
- Images for kids
- See also
Cincinnati Reds Team History
How the Reds Baseball Team Started (1881–1889)
The Cincinnati Reds team we know today began after an earlier Cincinnati team with the same name was removed from the National League. In 1876, Cincinnati was one of the first teams in the new National League (NL). However, the league's leader, William Hulbert, didn't like that the team sold beer during games and rented out its stadium on Sundays.
Even though these things weren't against the rules at first, the league decided to ban them in 1880. The Cincinnati team refused to agree to the new rules. Because of this, the other team owners kicked Cincinnati out of the league.
A sports editor named O. P. Caylor was upset about this. He helped create a new independent team called the Red Stockings in 1881. This team played well, and soon, Caylor and others helped form a new league called the American Association (AA). The new Reds team became a founding member of this league.
In 1882, the Reds won the first AA championship. Key players included Hick Carpenter, Bid McPhee (a future Hall of Famer), and pitcher Will White. Later, the team moved to a new field called League Park. For the rest of their time in the American Association, the Reds usually finished in the top half of the league.
Joining the National League Again (1890–1911)
On November 14, 1889, the Cincinnati Red Stockings left the American Association. They joined the National League, along with another team, the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. The NL was happy to have them, especially because a new league called the Player's League was starting. This new league threatened both existing leagues.
After joining the NL, the team shortened its name to the Reds. The 1890s were a tough time for the team. They signed local players and older veterans. During this period, the Reds never finished higher than third place.
At the start of the 1900s, the Reds had strong hitters like Sam Crawford and Cy Seymour. In 1905, Seymour won the league's batting title with a .377 average. In 1911, Bob Bescher stole 81 bases, which is still a team record. However, the team often finished in the lower half of the league standings during this decade.
From Redland Field to the Great Depression (1912–1932)
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In 1912, the Reds opened a new stadium called Redland Field. It was later renamed Crosley Field in 1934. The team had played baseball on the same spot for 28 years in older, wooden stadiums. By the late 1910s, the Reds started to play better.
In 1919, new manager Pat Moran led the Reds to win the NL championship. The 1919 team had great hitters like Edd Roush and Heinie Groh. Their pitching staff was strong with Hod Eller and Harry "Slim" Sallee. The Reds finished ahead of the New York Giants. Then, they won the World Series against the Chicago White Sox in eight games.
However, by 1920, the "Black Sox Scandal" cast a shadow over the Reds' first championship. Some White Sox players were accused of intentionally losing the series. After 1926 and into the 1930s, the Reds struggled again. Pitchers like Eppa Rixey, Dolf Luque, and Pete Donohue were good, but the team's hitting wasn't strong enough. By 1931, the team was facing financial problems, and their stadium was falling apart.
Championship Baseball and Revival (1933–1940)
Powel Crosley, Jr., a successful businessman who made radios and other household items, bought the Reds in 1933. He hired Larry MacPhail as the general manager. Crosley also owned the radio station WLW, which broadcast Reds games. MacPhail worked to improve the Reds' minor league system and attract more fans.
During this decade, the Reds achieved many "firsts." Crosley Field hosted the first night game in 1935, which also featured the first baseball fireworks show. In 1938, Johnny Vander Meer became the only pitcher in major league history to throw two no-hitters in a row.
With strong pitchers like Vander Meer, Paul Derringer, and Bucky Walters, the Reds had a solid pitching staff. Their offense also improved in the late 1930s. By 1938, under manager Bill McKechnie, the Reds were playing much better. Ernie Lombardi was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1938.
In 1939, the Reds won the National League championship but lost the World Series to the New York Yankees. However, in 1940, the Reds won the NL championship again. This time, they won the World Series, beating the Detroit Tigers 4 games to 3. Frank McCormick was the 1940 NL MVP.
The Reds in the Mid-Century (1941–1969)
After their 1940 championship, the Reds faced challenges due to World War II and older players. They often finished in the lower half of the league in the 1940s and early 1950s. In 1944, Joe Nuxhall, at just 15 years old, pitched for the Reds. He became the youngest player ever in a major league game, a record that still stands.
In 1953, the team decided to be called the "Redlegs" instead of the "Reds." This was to avoid any connection with the political meaning of the word "red" during that time. From 1956 to 1960, the team's logo even removed the word "REDS" from inside the "C." The traditional "REDS" logo returned in 1961.
In 1956, the Redlegs, led by Rookie of the Year Frank Robinson, hit a record-tying 221 home runs. By 1961, Robinson was joined by players like Vada Pinson and Wally Post. Pitchers Joey Jay, Jim O'Toole, and Bob Purkey led the pitching staff.
The Reds won the 1961 National League pennant, but they lost to the powerful New York Yankees in the World Series. The Reds had winning seasons throughout the rest of the 1960s but didn't win any championships. In 1964, they lost the pennant by just one game.
Their beloved manager Fred Hutchinson passed away from cancer shortly after the 1964 season. After this, the owner, Bill DeWitt, considered moving the team. In response, women in Cincinnati formed the Rosie Reds fan club to keep the team in the city. The Rosie Reds are still active today.
After the 1965 season, Frank Robinson was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. Robinson went on to win the MVP award and the Triple Crown in the American League in 1966. He also led Baltimore to their first World Series title. The Reds struggled until the "Big Red Machine" era began in the 1970s.
Starting in the early 1960s, the Reds' minor league system began to produce many talented players. These included Jim Maloney, Pete Rose, Tony Pérez, Johnny Bench, Lee May, Tommy Helms, Dave Concepción, and Gary Nolan. In 1967, Bob Howsam became the general manager. That same year, the city of Cincinnati agreed to build a new stadium downtown, which kept the team in Cincinnati.
The Reds played their last game at Crosley Field on June 24, 1970, winning 5–4. Under Howsam's leadership, the Reds had a strict rule for players to shave and cut their hair for many years. This rule was controversial but lasted until 1999. The Reds also required players to wear plain black shoes for a long time. This rule was changed in the mid-1980s to allow some red on the shoes.
The Big Red Machine Era (1970–1976)
In 1970, George "Sparky" Anderson became the Reds' manager. The team then began a period of great success, with a lineup known as "the Big Red Machine." They played at Crosley Field until June 30, 1970, when they moved to Riverfront Stadium, a new 52,000-seat stadium by the Ohio River.
The Reds started the 1970s strong, winning 70 of their first 100 games. Johnny Bench, Tony Pérez, Pete Rose, Lee May, and Bobby Tolan were key offensive players. The pitching staff included Gary Nolan, Jim Merritt, Wayne Simpson, and Jim McGlothlin, along with relievers Pedro Borbón and Clay Carroll. The Reds easily won the NL West and then the NL pennant by sweeping the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, they lost the World Series to the Baltimore Orioles in five games.
After a tough 1971 season, the Reds made some important trades. They acquired Joe Morgan, César Gerónimo, and Jack Billingham from the Houston Astros. Dave Concepción also became a star at shortstop. In 1971, George Foster was also traded to the Reds, which was a key move for future championships.
In 1972, the Reds won the NL West again. They beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in a five-game playoff series. Then, they faced the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. Six of the seven games were decided by just one run. Oakland won the series in seven games.
The Reds won their third NL West title in 1973 after a big comeback in the second half of the season. However, they lost the NL pennant to the New York Mets in five games. Game 1 was a close pitching battle, with Johnny Bench hitting a game-winning home run in the ninth inning.
In 1974, the Reds won 98 games but finished second to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The season started with excitement as Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves tied Babe Ruth's home run record against the Reds.
By 1975, the Big Red Machine lineup was set with the "Great Eight" starting players: Johnny Bench (catcher), Tony Pérez (first base), Joe Morgan (second base), Dave Concepción (shortstop), Pete Rose (third base), Ken Griffey (right field), César Gerónimo (center field), and George Foster (left field). The pitching staff included Don Gullett, Fred Norman, Gary Nolan, and Jack Billingham.
In the 1975 season, Cincinnati won the NL West with 108 victories. They then swept the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the NL pennant. They faced the Boston Red Sox in the World Series. Game 6 is considered one of the best World Series games ever. The Reds were leading, but the Red Sox tied it with a home run. Then, Carlton Fisk hit a dramatic home run in the 12th inning to win the game for Boston. However, Cincinnati won Game 7 the next day, with Joe Morgan's hit giving them their first championship in 35 years. The Reds have not lost a World Series game since Fisk's home run, winning nine straight.
In 1976, the same "Great Eight" players returned. The Reds won the NL West by 10 games and went undefeated in the postseason. They swept the Philadelphia Phillies and then beat the New York Yankees in the World Series. This was only the second time the Yankees had been swept in the World Series. The Reds became the first NL team since 1922 to win two World Series championships in a row.
The Machine Changes (1977–1989)
The late 1970s brought many changes to the Reds. After the 1976 season, popular player Tony Pérez was traded. Pitcher Don Gullett left to join the New York Yankees. General manager Bob Howsam was replaced by Dick Wagner.
In his last season as a Red, Pete Rose had an exciting hitting streak of 44 games, tying for the second-longest ever. The streak ended in Atlanta. Rose also got his 3,000th hit that season. He later became baseball's all-time hits leader when he returned to the Reds. In 1978, Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver threw the only no-hitter of his career for the Reds.
After the 1978 season, manager Sparky Anderson was fired, which was not popular with fans. Pete Rose left the team to play for Philadelphia. By 1979, the Reds had a new lineup. They won the 1979 NL West title but lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the playoffs. The Pirates swept the series and went on to win the World Series.
In 1981, the Reds had the best overall record in baseball. However, because the season was split into two halves due to a player strike, they finished second in their division in both halves and missed the playoffs.
By 1982, the Reds were not as strong, losing 101 games. Johnny Bench retired a year later. General manager Dick Wagner traded away many veteran players. The team struggled for several years.
In 1983, Howsam returned as general manager. He signed Cincinnati native Dave Parker as a free agent. In 1984, the Reds started to improve. Pete Rose was reacquired and became the Reds' player-manager.
Under new general manager Bill Bergesch, the Reds finished second four times from 1985 to 1989. During this time, Rose became the all-time hits leader. Tom Browning pitched a perfect game. Eric Davis became the first player in baseball history to hit at least 35 home runs and steal 50 bases. Chris Sabo was the 1988 National League Rookie of the Year. In 1989, Rose was banned from baseball due to accusations of betting on games.
World Championship and a New Era (1990–2002)
In 1987, Murray Cook became general manager. He made trades that helped the Reds return to championship form, bringing in Danny Jackson and José Rijo. Barry Larkin became the starting shortstop. In 1989, Bob Quinn took over and added key players like Hal Morris, Billy Hatcher, and Randy Myers.
In 1990, the Reds, led by new manager Lou Piniella, surprised everyone by leading the NL West from the very start of the season. They won their first nine games and kept their lead all year. The team was led by players like Chris Sabo, Barry Larkin, Eric Davis, Paul O'Neill, and Billy Hatcher. On the pitching side, they had José Rijo, Tom Browning, and the "Nasty Boys" — Rob Dibble, Norm Charlton, and Randy Myers. The Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates in the NLCS. Then, they swept the heavily favored Oakland Athletics in four games in the World Series, extending their World Series winning streak to nine games.
In 1992, Jim Bowden became general manager. The Reds won 90 games but finished second in their division. Manager Lou Piniella had some disagreements with players. In the offseason, Paul O'Neill was traded to the New York Yankees. Around this time, the Reds changed their uniforms from the "Big Red Machine" style to pinstriped jerseys without sleeves.
For the 1993 season, manager Piniella was replaced by Tony Pérez, a fan favorite. However, Pérez only managed 44 games before Davey Johnson took over. Under Johnson, the Reds improved steadily. In 1994, the Reds were in the new National League Central Division. When the player strike happened, the Reds were in first place. In 1995, the Reds won their division thanks to MVP Barry Larkin. They beat the Dodgers in the playoffs but then lost to the Atlanta Braves.
Team owner Marge Schott decided to replace manager Johnson at the end of 1995, no matter what. She replaced him with former Reds third baseman Ray Knight. The team struggled under Knight, who was manager for less than two full seasons.
In 1999, Marge Schott sold most of her ownership in the team to a group led by Carl Lindner. In 1999, the Reds won 96 games under manager Jack McKeon, but they lost a one-game playoff to the New York Mets. Even after a good season in 2000, McKeon was fired. The Reds did not have another winning season until 2010.
Modern Era of Reds Baseball (2003–Present)
Riverfront Stadium, also known as Cinergy Field, was torn down in 2002. Great American Ball Park opened in 2003. Fans had high hopes for the team, which included local stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin, and Sean Casey. Even with the new stadium and more fans, the Reds continued to lose. The team's farm system (where young players develop) was not very strong.
In 2003, general manager Jim Bowden and manager Bob Boone were fired. Later that year, Dan O'Brien became the new general manager. In November, a promising young player named Dernell Stenson sadly passed away.
The 2004 and 2005 seasons were similar, with good hitting but poor pitching and losing records. Ken Griffey Jr. hit his 500th home run in 2004 but was often hurt. Adam Dunn became a consistent home run hitter. In 2004, the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame opened, allowing fans to explore the team's history.
Robert Castellini became the main owner in 2006. He hired Wayne Krivsky as general manager. The Reds tried to make the playoffs but didn't succeed. In 2007, manager Jerry Narron was fired and replaced by Pete Mackanin. The Reds finished with a winning record under Mackanin, but he was only an interim manager. The Reds then hired Dusty Baker as manager. In 2008, Krivsky was replaced by Walt Jocketty. Krivsky is credited with improving the team's farm system.
The Reds had losing records in 2008 and 2009. But in 2010, with NL MVP Joey Votto and Gold Glove winners Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen, the Reds had a great season. They won the NL Central championship with a 91–71 record. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Philadelphia Phillies.
In 2011, the Reds didn't meet expectations due to injuries and inconsistent pitching. They finished with a losing record. But in 2012, they won the NL Central Division title again. On September 28, Homer Bailey pitched a no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates. This was the first Reds no-hitter since 1988. The Reds finished with a strong 97–65 record. They led their playoff series against the San Francisco Giants 2–0 but then lost three straight games at home, losing the series.
In 2013, Homer Bailey pitched another no-hitter, making him the third Reds pitcher with two career no-hitters. After losing six games in a row to end the 2013 season, including a playoff game, manager Dusty Baker was fired. He had led the Reds to the playoffs three times but never past the first round.
On October 22, 2013, the Reds hired pitching coach Bryan Price as their new manager. The team had star players like pitchers Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman, and hitters Todd Frazier, Joey Votto, and Brandon Phillips. However, the team struggled and finished in fourth place. In the offseason, the Reds traded some players and acquired young talents like Eugenio Suárez and Anthony DeSclafani.
The 2015 season was tough for the Reds, as they finished with one of the worst records in the league. They traded star pitchers Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake. After the season, they also traded Todd Frazier and Aroldis Chapman.
In 2016, the Reds allowed a record number of home runs in a single season. They finished with a 68–94 record. They continued to trade veteran players for younger prospects.
On September 25, 2020, the Reds made the postseason for the first time since 2013. The 2020 season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reds lost their first-round series to the Atlanta Braves.
The Reds finished the 2021 season with a winning record, placing third in their division. In 2022, the Reds started the season with a very poor record, losing many games early on. They finished the season with 62 wins and 100 losses.
The 2023 season was more exciting. The Reds were in the running for a playoff spot until the very end of the season. They finished just two games short of a playoff spot. The team was led by many young players, including rookies Spencer Steer, Matt McLain, and Elly De La Cruz. De La Cruz created a lot of excitement, and in his 15th career game, he became the first Red to hit for the cycle since 1989.
In 2024, the Reds started strong but then struggled in May, hurting their playoff chances. On September 22, 2024, the Reds fired manager David Bell. Bench coach Freddie Benavides became the interim manager. On October 4, 2024, the team announced that Terry Francona would be the Reds' next manager.
Reds Home Ballparks
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The Cincinnati Reds play their home games at Great American Ball Park. It is located in downtown Cincinnati. Great American Ball Park opened in 2003 and cost $290 million to build. It can hold 42,271 fans. Besides being the Reds' home field, the stadium also has the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. This allows fans to learn about the team's history and enjoy interactive exhibits.
Great American Ball Park is the seventh home stadium for the Cincinnati Reds. It was built right next to where Riverfront Stadium (later called Cinergy Field) used to be. The first ballpark the Reds played in was Bank Street Grounds from 1882 to 1883. Then they moved to League Park I in 1884, staying there until 1893.
In the late 1890s and early 1900s, the Reds moved to two other parks: League Park II (1894–1901) and then the Palace of the Fans (1902–1911). In 1912, the Reds moved to Crosley Field, which was their home for 58 years. Crosley Field saw the Reds win two World Series titles and five National League championships.
Starting on June 30, 1970, and during the "Big Red Machine" era, the Reds played in Riverfront Stadium. This stadium was named for its location by the Ohio River. Riverfront Stadium saw the Reds win three World Series titles and five National League pennants. In the late 1990s, the city decided to build two separate stadiums by the river for the Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals football team. So, in 2003, the Reds started a new chapter with the opening of their current stadium.
The Reds hold their spring training in Goodyear, Arizona, at Goodyear Ballpark. They moved there in 2010 and share the park with their Ohio rivals, the Cleveland Guardians.
Reds Logos and Uniforms
Team Logo History
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Throughout the Reds' history, their classic "wishbone C" logo has changed many times. In the team's early days, the logo was simply a "wishbone C" with the word "REDS" inside, using only red and white colors.
However, in the 1950s, when the team was called the "Cincinnati Redlegs," the color blue was added to the Reds' color scheme. This was done to avoid any political connections to the word "Reds." In the 1960s and 1970s, the Reds went back to their more traditional colors, getting rid of navy blue. A new logo appeared in 1972, which replaced the "REDS" script inside the "C" with their mascot, Mr. Redlegs. In the 1990s, the team brought back logos that looked more like their original ones. The current logo is similar to what the team used when it was founded.
Reds Uniform Changes
The Reds' uniforms have also changed many times over the years. After they stopped being called the "Redlegs" in 1956, the Reds made a big change by using sleeveless jerseys. At home and away, their caps were all red with a white "wishbone C" logo. Their long-sleeved undershirts were red. The home uniform was plain white with a red "wishbone C" logo. On the road, the "wishbone C" was replaced by the "Mr. Redlegs" mascot logo.
In 1961, the Reds changed their uniforms again, using an oval-shaped "C" logo but keeping the sleeveless jerseys. At home, they wore white caps with a red bill and the red oval "C." Their white sleeveless jerseys had red pinstripes. The gray away uniform had a gray cap with a red oval "C" and a red bill. These gray uniforms had "CINCINNATI" written across the front. In 1964, players' last names were added to the back of the uniforms. These uniforms were used until 1966.
The Cincinnati uniform design most people remember was used for 25 seasons, from 1967 to 1992. The "wishbone" shape was brought back to the "C" logo. During this time, the Reds wore all-red caps with a white "wishbone C." Their uniforms were standard short-sleeved jerseys and pants – white at home and gray on the road. The home uniform had the "wishbone C-REDS" logo in red with white letters. The away uniform had "CINCINNATI" written across the front. Red undershirts and red socks completed the look. These uniforms changed from flannel to double-knit material in 1972 and were the last MLB team to use pullover jerseys and belt-less pants.
The 1993 uniforms brought back button-down jerseys and added red pinstripes to the white home and gray away uniforms. The home jerseys were sleeveless, showing more of the red undershirts. A new home cap was created with a white crown and red pinstripes. The away uniform kept the all-red cap. In 1999, black was added as a main color, especially on their road uniforms.
The Reds' most recent uniform change happened in December 2006. The home caps went back to an all-red design with a white "wishbone C" outlined in black. Caps with red crowns and a black bill became the new road caps. The sleeveless jersey was replaced with a more traditional design. The numbers and names on the back of the jerseys used an older-style font. A "Mr. Redlegs" logo with a handlebar mustache was placed on the left sleeve, similar to the 1950s and 1960s logo.
In 2023, the Reds introduced a new "City Connect" jersey. It has a special "C" on the cap and sleeve. The jersey says "CINCY" (short for Cincinnati) across the chest. On the collar, it has an Ohio Buckeye and the city's motto, "Juncta Juvant" (Latin for "Strength of Unity"). The design is meant to inspire the future of the Reds' jerseys.
Awards and Team Honors
Team Captains
- Tommy Corcoran – 1900–1905
- Joe Kelley – 1906
- John Ganzel – 1907
- Hans Lobert – 1909
- Mike Mitchell – 1910–1912
- Ivey Wingo – 1916
- Heinie Groh – 1918–1921
- Jake Daubert – 1922–1924
- Edd Roush – 1925–1926
- Bubbles Hargrave – 1927–1928
- 14 Pete Rose – 1970–1978
- 13 Dave Concepción – 1983–1988
- 11 Barry Larkin – 1997–2004
Retired Numbers
The Cincinnati Reds have retired 10 numbers in their history. They also honor Jackie Robinson, whose number 42 is retired across all of Major League Baseball.
All the retired numbers are displayed at Great American Ball Park behind home plate. Also, broadcasters like Marty Brennaman, Waite Hoyt, and Joe Nuxhall are honored with microphones near the broadcast booth.
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Baseball Hall of Famers
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Ford C. Frick Award Winners
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MLB All-Star Games Hosted by the Reds
The Reds have hosted the Major League Baseball All-Star Game five times. They hosted it twice at Crosley Field (1938, 1953). They also hosted it twice at Riverfront Stadium (1970, 1988). Most recently, they hosted the All-Star Game at Great American Ball Park in 2015.
Reds Team Rivalries
Reds vs. Cleveland Guardians (Ohio Cup)
The Ohio Cup was a special pre-season baseball game. It started in 1989 and featured the two Ohio rivals: the Cleveland Guardians (who were called the Indians back then) and the Cincinnati Reds. This game was played every year in Columbus, Ohio, just a few days before the regular MLB season began.
Eight Ohio Cup games were played between 1989 and 1996. The Cleveland team won six of these games. The winning team each year received the Ohio Cup trophy after the game. Fans in Columbus really enjoyed the Ohio Cup games, and they often had over 15,000 people attending.
The Ohio Cup games stopped when regular-season interleague play began in 1997. After that, the two teams played each other every year in the regular season, in what was called the Battle of Ohio or Buckeye Series. The Ohio Cup was brought back in 2008. Now, it's awarded to the team with the better overall record in the Reds–Guardians series each year.
Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Rivalry
The rivalry between the Pirates and Reds was once one of the most intense in the National League during the 1970s. Both teams often met in the playoffs before they were moved to the National League Central division in 1993. These two teams have a long history, both starting in the 1880s. They first played each other in the 1900 MLB season.
Together, the Pirates and Reds have won 10 World Series championships and 18 league pennants. They faced each other in the NLCS (National League Championship Series) five times: in 1970, 1972, 1975, 1979, and 1990. More recently, they played against each other in the 2013 NL Wild Card Game.
As of 2023, the Pirates have won more games in the overall rivalry (1141 wins to 1113 losses). However, the Reds have won more games in the postseason matchups (13 wins to 8 losses).
Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Rivalry
The rivalry between the Dodgers and Reds was very strong from the 1970s through the early 1990s. They often competed for the NL West division title. From 1970 to 1990, they finished first and second in the standings eleven times. Seven of those times, they were separated by less than 5.5 games.
Both teams also played in many championships during this period. Together, they won 10 NL Pennants and 5 World Series titles from 1970 to 1990. The Big Red Machine teams often battled against the Dodgers teams led by manager Tommy Lasorda. Reds manager Sparky Anderson once said that he didn't think there was another rivalry like theirs in either league.
The rivalry became less intense when the Reds moved to the NL Central division. However, they did play each other again in the 1995 NLDS.
Reds Media Coverage
Radio Broadcasts
The Reds' main radio station has been WLW, 700AM, since 1969. Before that, Reds games were heard on other stations like WKRC and WCPO. WLW is a very powerful station, known as "The Nation's Station." Reds games can be heard on over 100 local radio stations through the Reds on Radio Network.
Since 2020, the Reds' broadcast team has been Tommy Thrall, who does the play-by-play, and retired pitcher Jeff Brantley, who provides color commentary.
Marty Brennaman called Reds games from 1974 to 2019. He was famously joined by former Reds pitcher and commentator Joe Nuxhall until 2007. Brennaman won the Ford C. Frick Award for his work. He is known for his famous call, "... and this one belongs to the Reds!" after a win. Nuxhall started broadcasting for the Reds in 1967, right after he retired as a player.
Television Broadcasts
MLB's local media division announced that it will take over the television rights to the Reds in November 2024. This means that starting in the 2025 season, MLB will be in charge of broadcasting the games. The games will be available through cable and satellite TV providers, as well as a direct online streaming service.
Until the end of the 2024 season, televised games were shown on Bally Sports Ohio and Bally Sports Indiana. George Grande, who hosted the first SportsCenter on ESPN, was the play-by-play announcer from 1993 until he retired in 2009. Since 2009, Thom Brennaman has been the main play-by-play commentator, with Chris Welsh and Jeff Brantley sharing time as color commentators.
NBC affiliate WLWT broadcast Reds games from 1948 to 1995. Many famous announcers worked for WLWT, including Waite Hoyt and Al Michaels. The last regular over-the-air broadcasts of Reds games were on WSTR-TV from 1996 to 1998. Since 2010, WKRC-TV has shown Opening Day games at the same time as Fox/Bally Sports Ohio.
Community Involvement
The Reds Community Fund was started in 2001. It focuses on helping young people in the Greater Cincinnati area. The fund aims to improve the lives of kids by using the traditions of the Reds baseball team.
The fund supports the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program. This program helps young people graduate high school and go to college. The fund also holds an annual telethon, which raises a lot of money. For example, the fund helped renovate Hoffman Fields in Cincinnati, improving the entire recreation complex. They have renovated over 400 baseball fields in 200 locations across the region.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, fans couldn't attend MLB games. So, the Reds offered fans the chance to buy paper cutouts of their own photos to be placed in the stands at Great American Ball Park. This special event raised over $300,000 for the fund. This was more money than their usual events like Redsfest and the Redlegs Run.
Reds Team Roster
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Cincinnati Reds 2023 spring training roster
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| 40-man roster | Non-roster invitees | Coaches/Other | ||||
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Pitchers
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Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
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Pitchers
Catchers
Outfielders
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Manager
Coaches
40 active, 0 inactive, 8 non-roster invitees
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Minor League Teams Affiliated with the Reds
The Cincinnati Reds' farm system has seven minor league teams. These teams help develop young players for the main Reds team.
| Level | Team Name | League | Location | Home Ballpark | Affiliated Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triple-A | Louisville Bats | International League | Louisville, Kentucky | Louisville Slugger Field | 2000 |
| Double-A | Chattanooga Lookouts | Southern League | Chattanooga, Tennessee | AT&T Field | 1988 |
| High-A | Dayton Dragons | Midwest League | Dayton, Ohio | Day Air Ballpark | 2000 |
| Single-A | Daytona Tortugas | Florida State League | Daytona Beach, Florida | Jackie Robinson Ballpark | 2015 |
| Rookie | ACL Reds | Arizona Complex League | Goodyear, Arizona | Goodyear Ballpark | 1999 |
| DSL Reds | Dominican Summer League | Boca Chica, Santo Domingo | Baseball City Complex | 1998 | |
| DSL Rojos | 2024 |
Images for kids
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Johnny Bench
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Joe Morgan
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Tony Perez
See also
In Spanish: Cincinnati Reds para niños
