The original Cincinnati Red Stockings, baseball's first openly all-professional team, was founded in 1869. At the turn of the century, the Reds now shortened to Red Sox had hitting stars like Sam Crawford and Cy Seymour. Throughout the 1940s and the early 1950s, Cincinnati finished mostly in the second division. The Reds captured the 1961 NL pennant, but in the World Series New York Yankees took the Red Sox in 5 games. The rest of the 1960s were successful on the field, but didn't produce any championships.

The Reds dominated the 1970s, winning the National League pennant in 1970, 1972-1973, 1975-1976, and 1979. The team flourished with players like Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Joe Morgan. From 1985 to 1989 the Reds finished second 4 times. Among the highlights, Pete Rose became the all-time hits leader, Tom Browning threw a perfect game, and Chris Sabo was the 1988 National League Rookie of the Year.

In 1990 the Reds under new manager Lou Pinella shocked baseball by leading the NL West from wire-to-wire. By 1995 the Reds were in the NLCS again, but lost to the Atlanta Braves. In 1999 they won 96 games, but lost to the New York Mets in a one game playoff.

Opening Day in Cincinnati of 2003 was extra special as they were opening a brand new ballpark, Great American Ballpark.  Unfortunately they lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-1.

Last season Ken Griffey Jr. and the Reds got off to a surprisingly good start as they were in first place on June 6th with a 34-22 record.  However, Griffey's torn hamstring would lead to him playing just 3 more games the rest of the season. Without Griffey the Reds would stumble the rest of the way as they posted a horrible 29-45 record after the All-Star Break on the way to finishing in 4th place with a record of 76-86.

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