Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum facts for kids
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The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum is a special place that celebrates the history of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team. It's like a museum filled with cool displays, photos, and videos that show off the team's past. This Hall of Fame was started in 1958 to honor amazing players, managers, and team leaders.
You can find the museum right next to Great American Ball Park, which is the Reds' home stadium, by the Ohio River. Right now, the Hall of Fame has 81 members! These members include players, managers, and executives who helped build Cincinnati's baseball story. This story goes all the way back to 1869, when the very first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, played their first game. New members are added to the Hall of Fame every two years.
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History of the Hall of Fame
The Reds first worked with the Cincinnati Chapter of Commerce in 1958 to start the Hall of Fame. Back then, Reds fans got to vote for who should be inducted. There was a break in inductions for a few years, but in 1998, a Reds executive named John Allen brought them back. He changed the voting process, giving the local Baseball Writers' Association of America the power to choose new members. This group also votes for the team's Most Valuable Player and best pitcher each year.
The museum itself opened on September 25, 2004, right next to Great American Ball Park. It's a big place, with more than 15,000 square feet of space spread across two floors. It's open all year round, so you can visit anytime!
Inside the museum, you can see some really cool and unique items. These include World Series trophies from 1975, 1976, and 1990. You can also see the actual scorebook from the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings, which was baseball's first professional team! There are also MVP trophies belonging to famous players like Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan, plus a special gallery with plaques for all the Reds Hall of Fame members.
Cool Past Exhibits
The museum often has special exhibits. In 2010, there was a Pete Rose Exhibit. It focused on his amazing playing career as baseball's all-time hits leader. You could see the bat and ball from his 4,192nd hit, along with gloves he wore playing different positions. There were also uniforms, baseball cards, and a "wall of balls" showing all 4,256 of his hits!
In 2009, the museum also had an exhibit about Crosley Field, which was the team's old ballpark. It was a great way to learn about where the Reds played for many years.
On September 17, 2011, the Reds Hall of Fame revealed a statue of Hall of Famer Johnny Bench. Johnny Bench was one of the biggest stars of the "Big Red Machine" team. His statue shows him in action, throwing a baseball towards second base. This date was special because it was the anniversary of "Johnny Bench Night" at Riverfront Stadium in 1983. On that night, Bench hit a two-run home run that tied the game!
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Members
The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame honors many important people who have been part of the team's history. These include legendary players, skilled managers, and important team executives.
| Year | Year inducted |
|---|---|
| Bold | Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame |
 |
Member of the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Red |
| Bold | Recipient of the Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award |
Some of the most famous members include:
- Johnny Bench: A legendary catcher who played from 1967 to 1983.
- Joe Morgan: A fantastic second baseman who played from 1972 to 1979.
- Pete Rose: Known as "Charlie Hustle," he was an outfielder and infielder, and later a manager. He played for the Reds for many years, starting in 1963.
- Ken Griffey Jr.: A superstar center fielder who played for the Reds from 2000 to 2008.
- Sparky Anderson: The manager of the famous "Big Red Machine" team from 1970 to 1978.
- Barry Larkin: A great shortstop who played his entire career with the Reds from 1986 to 2004.
- Marty Brennaman: A beloved broadcaster who called Reds games for many years, from 1974 to 2019.
These are just a few of the many talented individuals who have been honored for their contributions to the Cincinnati Reds.
See also
- Cincinnati Reds award winners and league leaders
