Baseball’s First All Professional Team

• Founded in 1863

• Became fully professional in 1869

• Won 130 straight games between 1869 and 1870

• Notable players– Harry and George Wright

– Fred Waterman

– Asa Brainard

Welcome to the National League

• Left American Association in 1980 to join National League

• National League was expanding, American Association was dying.

• Changed name from Red Stockings to Reds.

Homes of the Reds

• Bank Street Grounds (1882-1883)

• League Park I (1884-1893)

• League Park II (1894-1901)

• Palace of the Fans (1902-1911)

• Crosley Field (1912-1969)

• Riverfront Stadium (1970-2002)

• Great American Ball Park (2003- Present)

Homes of the Reds

Palace of the Fans Crosley Field

Riverfront Stadium Great American Ball Park

The Birth of a Machine

• Starting in the early 1960’s, the farm system started to produce many future stars.

• Outfielders Alex Johnson and Bobby Tolanacquired in trades.

• Signed 30 year lease that kept the team in Cincinnati.

The Big Red Machine Era1970-1976

• George “Sparky” Anderson hired as manager

• Team moved into Riverfront Stadium

• Won 70 of first 100 games of 1970

• 1975 and 1976 World Series Champions

• Overall Record of 683-443

• Average of 98 wins per season

The Big Red Machine Era1970-1976

• Notable players

– Pete Rose

– Joe Morgan

– Johnny Bench

– Tony Perez

– Ken Griffey

– Dave Concepcion

– George Foster

The End of a Machine

• Tony Perez traded to Montreal

• Don Gullet left for free agency

• Sparky Anderson fired

• By 1979, many important players had left the team

• Lost 100 games in 1972

Wire to Wire Championship1990

• Acquired pitchers Danny Jackson and Randy Myers in trades. Also acquired Jose Rijo in a trade

• Signed 1st baseman Hal Morris

• Lou Piniella hired as manager.

• Led NL West division for every day of the season.

Wire to Wire Championship1990

• Notable players

– Barry Larkin

– Chris Sabo

– Billy Hatcher

– Eric Davis

– Rob Dibble

– Randy Myers

Return to the Playoffs2010

• No playoff appearances from 1996-2009

• Dusty Baker hired as manager in 2008

• 91-71 record

• 49-32 home record

• NL Central Division Champions

• Clinched division on a walk-off home run by Jay Bruce

Return to the Playoffs

• Notable players

– Joey Votto

– Brandon Phillips

– Scott Rolen

– Jay Bruce

– Drew Stubbs

– Bronson Arroyo