Beginning in 1882, the Cincinnati Reds were one of the founding members of the American Association. Originally known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the team's name was later shortened to the Reds. The Red Stockings won 130 straight games between 1869 and 1870. Following 1870, the best players relocated to Boston and took the name "Red Stockings" with them. A new Cincinnati Red Stockings team was created and became the charter member of the National League. They were eliminated after the 1880 season because of the fact they served beer to fans at games. After this elimination, a third Cincinnati Reds team joined the American Association and played for 8 seasons. This team is the same team today. Joined the National League again in 1890 and shortened their name to the Reds. In 1911, Bob Bescher set a Reds team record that still stands today; he stole 81 bases. 1912, new ballpark was erected. This one was steel and concrete as opposed to the previous fields which were wooden structures. Called Redland Field, would later be known as Crosley Field. In 1919, the Reds went to the pennant, defeating the New York Giants. They then went on to win the world championships over the Chicago White Sox. Although this was their first world championship title, this win was overshadowed by scandal. During the series, several members of the White Sox were banned from baseball for life after it was discovered they purposely threw games, allowing Cincinnati to capture the title.
The Great Depression was not kind to the Reds, causing the team to go bankrupt. In 1933, an electronics tycoon named Powel Crosley Jr. bought the team out of bankruptcy. Redland Field was changed to Crosley Field and hosted the first night game in 1935. The team's pitcher became the first pitcher in baseball history to throw back to back no-hitters in 1938. By 1939, the Reds became national league champions, but were swept by the Yankees in the World Series. In 1940, Cincinnati won the national league championship again and won the World Series, defeating the Detroit Tigers. In 1944, the youngest player in the history of baseball to play on a team played for the Reds. At the age of 15 and on loan from an Ohio high school, Joe Nuxhall pitched for the team.
Throughout the McCarthy era of the 1950s, the team changed its name on two separate occasions to the Cincinnati Redlegs so as not to appear as communist sympathizers. In addition, the team adopted very strict rules to make the team appear more wholesome. For instance, the team instituted a no mustache/facial hair/long hair rule. This rule lasted until 1999. Another rule made it so that players could not wear anything other than black shoes. Finally in the 80s, players were also allowed to wear red shoes.
Perhaps the most well known era for the Cincinnati Reds was in the 1970s, the era of "The Big Red Machine." In 1970, the team moved away from Crosley field in June 30th, 1970 and into the Riverfront Stadium on the banks of the Ohio River. The stadium was to be used for other events besides baseball. During this season, the Reds won 70 of their first 100 games. In addition, the team won numerous NL West championships and made several trips to the World Series during the early 1970s. One of the most well known trips to the World Series was during the 1975 season when the Reds faced the Boston Red Sox. Game 6 was one of the most unforgettable games ever and possibly one of the best World Series games ever played. The Reds were up 6-3 with only five outs left until Red Sox tied the game on a three run home run. The Sox took the lead until the Reds finally won in 12 innings. This forced the series into a 7th game. The Reds won Game 7 giving them their first World Series in 35 years. Then, the Reds went on to win the Series the following year. The Big Red Machine split up in 1976, with key players traded to other teams. Several of the Reds managers considered this trade the biggest mistake of their careers. Pete Rose went after Joe DiMaggio's 56 game hitting streak, but fell short.
In the 1981 season, the Reds had the best overall record in baseball, but failed to win their division. When talking about that season, fans often would yell, "We wuz robbed!" The Reds hired Pete Rose in 1984 to be the player-manager, but he was later fired for poor conduct.
Throughout the 1990s, the Reds made it to the playoffs on several occasions. In 1994, the Reds joined the newly created Central Division along with the Cubs, the Cardinals, the Pirates, and the Astros. However, the Reds have not made it to the playoffs since 1995 and have not had a winning season since the 2000 season. In 2002, Riverfront Stadium was torn down and the Great American Ball Park was built next door. This remains the only baseball-only park that was built next door to its old one.
