Since 1882, the Cincinnati Reds have had a long tradition of winners, of which Joey Vatto is but the latest member.
In his rookie year, all the way back in 1899, Noodles Hahn led the National League in strikeouts. He would continue to do so for the next two years, also posting a total of four twenty win seasons in six years; something only a handful of players today can claim. The Reds also brought home early National League batting titles thanks to Edd Roush, Cy Seymour and Hal Chase.
Catcher Ernie Lombardi captured the public's eye, becoming a five time All Star pick between 1936 and 1940. He was the National League MVP in 1938 and helped to led the Reds to the World Series in 1940. Under the management of Bill McKechnie, they posted their first one hundred win season that year. First baseman Frank McCormick took home the MVP, although teammate Bucky Walters won it the year before. And Jonny Vander Meer captured the strikeout crown three consecutive years beginning in 1941.
Frank Robinson, in his nine year stint with the team, racked up a few awards starting with the Rookie of the Year in 1956. Helping to lead the team to the 1961 World Series, he received the NL MVP. Not to mention the dubious honor of being the player hit by the most pitches once or twice along the way!
As Robinson's star faded in Cincinnati, outfielder Pete Rose's ascended. He too won the Rookie of the Year in 1963 and went on to capture numerous titles, including several batting championships and being named the Most Valuable Player for both the League and in the World Series. He is currently baseball's all time hit leader.
The "Big Red Machine" of 1970 to 1975 was surely a high point of award winning in any field. Rose, along with Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan and others won voluminous awards including three League batting championships, twenty five Gold Gloves, sixty three All Star appearances and six MVPs! They won their division five times and won back to back World Series, due in no small part to Sparky Anderson's managerial skills.
After Rose and Anderson left, the team cooled. Although George Foster was able to snag a couple of home run titles in the late Seventies, the Reds remained dormant for the better part of a decade. But with the arrival of such players as Jose Rijo, 1988 Rookie of the Year Chris Sabo and Hall of Famer in the making Barry Larkin, the team's fortunes began to turn. Manager Lou Pinella delivered them to their first Division title since 1979 and an eventual World Series victory.
In a nineteen year career spent entirely with the Reds, shortstop Larkin earned All Star nods twelve times, a MVP award in 1995, and together twelve Gold Gloves and Silver Sluggers. He is a member of the elite 30-30 club, hitting over thirty home runs and stealing thirty bases in 1996.
Behind newly minted MVP Joey Vatto, the Cincinnati Reds seem on the cusp of greatness once more. Having been to the playoffs for the first time in fifteen years, the World Series cannot be far behind.
Author Resource:
Bobbie Barton is a fitness trainer She likes SportsFanTreasures.com and recommends you check out their info on San Francisco Giants Watch and Minnesota Twins Bedding
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