Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880)

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The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876-1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.

[edit] History

The Reds began play in 1876, playing at Avenue Grounds. They were managed by player/manager Charlie Gould, and outfielder Charley Jones led the Cincinnati offense with 4 home runs and 38 runs batted in. This first Reds team finished a dismal 9-56, last in the new eight-team National League. In 1887, helmed by the managing trio of Lip Pike, Bob Addy, and Jack Manning, the Reds finished 6th in the National League. Pike, the second baseman, led the team with 4 home runs and rookie pitcher Bobby Mitchell led the team with 41 strikeouts.

In the 1878 season, player/manager Cal McVey piloted Cincinnati to second place in the league. Charley Jones led the team with 3 homers and Will White led the team with 169 strikeouts. Sharing the managing duties, catcher Deacon White and McVey managed the team to 5th place. Starting pitcher Will White hurled 232 strikeouts. Baseball Hall of Fame member King Kelly played on the 1878 and '79 Reds.

Managed by John Clapp in 1880, the Reds had a 21-59 record and finished 8th in the NL in what turned out to be their last year in existence. The Cincinnati team was banned from the National League because it violated two league rules: the team's ballpark, the Bank Street Grounds, marketed beer, and the Reds refused to close their ballpark on Sundays. The team reorganized, however, and joined the American Association in 1882.

[edit] References and external links

• Team index page at Baseball Reference