History Of The Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds, even more than most other baseball teams, thrives on the American tradition of baseball. In earlier years, Cincinnati gave way to the first openly professional baseball team four years after Civil War. A baseball team has represented Cincinnati since 1881. So, it can be said that there is a certain passion and love for the game here than anywhere else. The Reds have helped pave the way for baseball teams and players everywhere.

The Cincinnati Reds were not always known by this name. They used to be called the Cincinnati Red Stockings, and were the first professional team in 1869. Their career began with a winning game that had a score of forty five to nine against a team known as the Great Western of Cincinnati. The Red Stockings were off to a great start as the first professional team. After this first victory, they went on to win nearly every of their seventy games that were matched up with other Midwest teams. Their first loss was to the Brooklyn Atlantics, where they lost the game in the extra innings with a score of eight to seven.

However many victories they had, their start was nevertheless a rocky one. They were a charter member of the National League in 1876, but their start in this league was rough. The Red Stockings of this time did not do quite as well as their predecessors, finishing their first season nine wins to fifty four losses. After their first four seasons the Cincinnati Red Stockings were kicked out of the National League! They were kicked out for playing baseball on Sunday and also for selling beer during their games, something not uncommon for any team in this day and age; but at this time, these things were against the National League rules.

After being kicked out of the National League, the Cincinnati Red Stockings played in the American Association during the 1880s. They finally accepted reinstatement to the National League in 1890 and were then allowed to have their Sunday games and beer sales. However, the biggest change to this team at this time was the changing of their name from the Red Stocking to the Reds. Unfortunately, for thirty years following their reinstatement to the National League, the Reds did quite poorly for the most part. They never were able to finish higher than third place after their reinstatement.

In 1919 the Reds upset the well-liked White Sox in the World Series. However, after the series was over the White Sox claimed that they lost on purpose, stirring up quite a scandal, and preventing them from receiving their dues as the World Champions. After this unfortunate downfall for the Reds, they would not make any waves in the pool until the 1930s. The team got together a wonderful pitching staff at this time that allowed them to advance in their games more than they had in twenty years. Since then the Reds have gone through their ups and downs and are still ready for their next World Series.