The Cincinnati Reds played the first game in organized professional baseball (all paid players and no amateurs) on June 1, 1869. The Cincinnati Red Stockings beat the Mansfield Independents 48-14. In 1876 the National League was formed in New York City. The Cincinnati Reds were a charter member of the fledgling league. Other franchises were located in New York, Chicago, Boston, St. Louis, Louisville, Hartford, and Philadelphia. However by 1880, the Reds were expelled from the National League due to selling beer at their ball park. In 1890 the team rejoined the league and has remained ever since.
The 1919 World Series which featured the imfamous Chicago "Black Sox" team was won by the Cincinnati Reds. The best of nine series that year was won five games to eight over Chicago. It was not until 1920 however that several of the White Sox players admitted to participating in a plot to throw the World Series. May 24, 1935 saw the Reds play the first Major League Baseball at night under 632 bright lights in front of 20,422 fans. Five years later the Reds played on the first tv broadcasted game in baseball history versus the Brooklyn Dodgers. Other Reds highlights include the appearance of 15-year old pitcher Joe Nuxhall on June 10, 1944. Nuxhall was the youngest player in baseball history. The teenager gave up five runs in two-thirds of an inning in his only appearance during 1944. He returned to the club in 1952 and won 130 games in his career.
The Cincinatti Reds were known as the Big Red Machine during the 1970s title runs. The team featured such stars as Johnny Bench and Pete Rose under the managment of Sparky Anderson. A fifth championship followed during the 1990 World Series as the Reds swept heavily favored Oakland. 1995 was the last season the Reds made the playoffs. Since then, only one winning season has adorned the city of Cincinnati, that of the 96-67 record of 1999.
World Series Appearances:
- 1990 vs. Oakland Athletics W. 4-0
- 1976 vs. New York Yankees W. 4-0
- 1975 vs. Boston Red Sox W. 4-3
- 1972 vs. Oakland Athletics L. 3-4
- 1970 vs. Baltimore Orioles L. 1-4
- 1961 vs. New York Yankees L. 1-4
- 1940 vs. Detroit Tigers W. 4-3
- 1939 vs. New York Yankees L. 0-4
- 1919 vs. Chicago White Sox W. 5-3
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