Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Matthew Brown
Last Updated: May 26th, 2026 by Michael Schatz
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Cincinnati baseball history stretches back to 1869, when the Red Stockings became professional baseball’s first openly paid team. That legacy has produced some of the game’s most memorable players, from the powerhouse Big Red Machine of the 1970s to the Wire-to-Wire champions of 1990.
While Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Barry Larkin earned their bronze plaques in Cooperstown, dozens of Reds greats still wait outside the Hall’s doors. These twenty players defined eras, changed the game, and gave Cincinnati fans memories that last forever.
From the Big Red Machine to modern sluggers, these Reds legends built Hall of Fame careers without receiving baseball’s ultimate honor.
We are counting down from #20 to #1, so the argument builds as the list gets closer to the top spot.
#20 Lonny Frey: The All-Star of Three Positions
Before utility players became fashionable, Lonny Frey was excelling at multiple infield positions. His versatility and steady bat helped power the Reds to consecutive pennants in 1939 and 1940.
He made three All-Star teams while playing second base, third base, and shortstop at different times. That adaptability and consistent excellence made him the perfect complement to the Reds’ powerful lineup.
His defensive flexibility gave managers options that few other players could provide. He was a key piece of Cincinnati’s pre-war championship teams.
#19 Dan Driessen: The First National League DH
History remembers him as the first National League designated hitter in World Series play, but Driessen was much more than a footnote. His ability to fill in for Tony Perez helped the Big Red Machine keep rolling.
He hit over 300 twice and provided consistent production from both corner infield spots. That sweet left-handed stroke and quiet excellence made him one of Cincinnati’s most underappreciated stars.
His versatility and steady bat were crucial to the Big Red Machine’s sustained success. He never got the recognition that his more famous teammates received.
#18 Chris Sabo: Spuds MacKenzie With a Bat
Those rec-spec goggles and all-out hustle made Spuds the working-class hero of the 1990 championship team. His Rookie of the Year campaign in 1988 and three All-Star selections proved he was more than just a fan favorite.
That headfirst slide into first base and throwback style embodied Cincinnati’s blue-collar spirit. He hit over 25 homers twice and played third base with reckless abandon.
His intensity and distinctive look made him one of the most recognizable players of his era. He was the perfect personality for a championship team.
#17 Reggie Sanders: The Quiet Star of the ’95 Division Crown
Often overlooked in Reds history, Reggie Sanders combined power and speed as a true five-tool player. His 1995 season produced 28 homers and 36 stolen bases while playing Gold Glove defense.
He consistently delivered 20-plus homers and 20-plus steals while patrolling center field. That quiet excellence and consistent production helped bridge the gap between the 1990 champions and the next generation.
His athleticism and versatility made him valuable wherever he played. He never got the recognition his all-around game deserved during his Cincinnati years.
#16 Paul O’Neill: Before He Was A Yankee Legend
Before he became The Warrior in New York, Paul O’Neill learned his intense approach to baseball in Cincinnati. His breakout 1991 season showed the potential that would later flourish in pinstripes.
That fiery competitiveness and sweet left-handed stroke were honed during those early years at Riverfront Stadium. He hit over 300 twice as a Red and showed flashes of the player he’d become.
His five World Series rings came in New York, but Cincinnati fans remember the passionate young player who threw batting helmets. That intensity was born on the banks of the Ohio River.
#15 Tom Browning: Mr. Perfect’s Rooftop Adventure
His perfect game in 1988 was just part of what made Tom Browning a Cincinnati legend. That famous mid-game visit to the Wrigley Field rooftop in uniform showed his playful spirit.
He won 20 games in 1985 and consistently gave the Reds 200-plus innings of quality work. His durability and clutch performance in the 1990 championship season proved he was more than just baseball’s perfect prankster.
That perfect game against the Dodgers remains one of the most memorable moments in Riverfront Stadium history. He was the workhorse starter every championship team needs.
#14 Adam Dunn: The Big Donkey’s Mammoth Blasts
Before launch angles became baseball’s obsession, Adam Dunn was launching baseballs into the Ohio River. His 462-foot blast that landed on Mehring Way remains the longest in Great American Ball Park history.
He hit 40 or more homers three times as a Red and consistently drew over 100 walks. That massive frame and even bigger power made him the prototype for today’s all-or-nothing sluggers.
His 462 career home runs came with historic strikeout totals that defined the three-true-outcomes era. He changed how teams thought about acceptable strikeout rates for power hitters.
#13 John Franco: The Cincinnati Kid’s Screwball Magic
Before becoming a Mets legend, John Franco honed his craft in Cincinnati. His devastating circle changeup and 148 saves in a Reds uniform showed why he’d become one of baseball’s greatest lefty relievers.
He made three All-Star teams as a Red and consistently ranked among the league’s best closers. That working-class attitude and clutch performance made him the perfect closer for those late-1980s teams.
His 424 career saves rank among the all-time leaders, yet he’s rarely mentioned in Hall discussions. Those early Cincinnati years established the foundation for his remarkable career.
#12 Dolf Luque: The Pride of Havana
Before Luis Tiant, Dolf Luque was baseball’s Cuban pitching sensation. His remarkable 1923 season led the league with 27 wins and a 1.93 ERA, one of the greatest pitching performances in Reds history.
He won 194 games in the major leagues and opened doors for Latin American pitchers. That competitive fire and crafty pitching style made him a pioneer.
His success in the 1920s proved that Latin players could star in the major leagues. He remains one of the most important figures in baseball’s integration of Latino talent.
#11 Paul Derringer: The Ace of the 1940 Champs
The backbone of Cincinnati’s 1939 and 1940 pennant-winning teams, Oom Paul Derringer defined reliability. His 25-win season in 1939 and clutch performance in the 1940 World Series showed his big-game ability.
He won 20 or more games four times and consistently ranked among the National League’s best pitchers. That durability and competitive spirit made him the perfect ace for those pre-war powerhouses.
His 223 career wins and two World Series appearances somehow haven’t generated serious Hall discussion. He was one of the most consistent winners of his generation.
#10 Jim Maloney: The Forgotten Power Pitcher
Before arm troubles cut short his career, Jim Maloney was baseball’s most overpowering pitcher. His 265 strikeouts in 1963 and two no-hitters showed his dominant potential.
That blazing fastball made him nearly unhittable when he had command. He struck out over 200 batters four times and consistently ranked among the league’s strikeout leaders.
Injuries robbed him of what should have been a much longer career. He was Cincinnati’s bridge between the Spahn-Koufax era and the dawn of the Big Red Machine.
#9 Jose Rijo: The Dominican Dandy of 1990
His masterful performance in the 1990 World Series, outdueling Dave Stewart twice, remains one of Cincinnati’s greatest pitching achievements. Rijo’s devastating slider and World Series MVP trophy highlighted what could have been a Hall of Fame career.
Before injuries derailed him, he was one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers. That perpetual smile and competitive fire made him the perfect ace for the Wire-to-Wire Reds.
He returned after missing three full seasons to injuries and pitched effectively into his forties. Those World Series performances alone earned him permanent legendary status in Cincinnati.
#8 Ted Kluszewski: Big Klu and The Missing Sleeves
Those cut-off sleeves weren’t just for show—Big Klu’s massive biceps literally couldn’t fit in standard jerseys. His 1954 season produced 49 home runs with a mere 35 strikeouts, numbers that seem impossible by today’s standards.
He combined raw power with remarkable contact ability, hitting over 300 with 40-plus homers multiple times. That combination made him baseball’s most impressive physical specimen of the 1950s.
His peak was relatively short, but those mid-1950s seasons showed what pure strength and bat control could accomplish. He became the prototype for the power-hitting first baseman.
#7 Bucky Walters: The Convert Who Became an Ace
A converted third baseman, Bucky Walters transformed himself into one of the National League’s most dominant pitchers. His 1939 MVP season produced 27 wins and a 2.29 ERA while leading Cincinnati to the pennant.
He won 20 or more games three straight seasons and anchored back-to-back pennant winners in 1939 and 1940. That remarkable transformation from position player to ace pitcher remains one of baseball’s most impressive career changes.
His durability and big-game performance defined Cincinnati baseball in the pre-war era. Few pitchers have ever dominated their league as thoroughly as Walters did from 1939 to 1941.
#6 George Foster: Black Lightning in The Big Red Machine
When George Foster hit 52 home runs in 1977, he became the first player since Willie Mays to reach the 50-homer plateau. His black bat and fearsome presence made him the perfect cleanup hitter for The Big Red Machine.
That MVP season came alongside five All-Star selections and three top-five MVP finishes. He drove in over 100 runs five straight seasons while terrorizing National League pitchers.
His power numbers and clutch hitting in Cincinnati’s championship years somehow haven’t earned him serious Hall consideration. Those massive home runs and RBI totals defined mid-1970s baseball.
#5 Mario Soto: The Changeup Artist of Riverfront
In the early 1980s, Mario Soto’s circle changeup was the most devastating pitch in baseball. His back-to-back seasons in 1983 and 1984 showed what a true ace could do even on struggling teams.
He led the National League in strikeouts in 1982 and consistently dominated despite pitching for mediocre clubs. That mesmerizing changeup and fierce competitive fire made him must-see television.
Arm troubles ended his career too soon, robbing him of the counting stats that open Cooperstown’s doors. He was the bridge between the Big Red Machine and the 1990 Wire-to-Wire champions.
#4 Eric Davis: The Next Willie Mays Who Almost Was
Before injuries derailed everything, Eric Davis played baseball like a comic book superhero come to life. His 1987 season—37 homers and 50 stolen bases—showed what might have been if his body could have matched his talent.
Those graceful catches and tape-measure home runs made him Cincinnati’s most exciting player since the Big Red Machine era. He could do everything on a baseball field, and he did it with style.
Kidney cancer and a series of devastating injuries cut short what should have been a Cooperstown career. That brief peak showed flashes of greatness that old-timers still talk about today.
#3 Vada Pinson: The Forgotten Five-Tool Star
Before anyone coined the term five-tool player, Vada Pinson was doing everything at Crosley Field. His 1961 season produced 208 hits, 16 homers, and 23 stolen bases while playing Gold Glove defense in center field.
He finished with over 2,700 hits and 256 home runs, numbers that would have guaranteed Hall consideration in any other era. Playing alongside Frank Robinson somehow left him in the shadows.
Those graceful strides tracking fly balls and that consistent excellence at the plate deserved far more recognition. He remains one of the most underappreciated stars of the 1960s.
#2 Dave Concepcion: The Original Venezuelan Shortstop
Before Omar Vizquel and Ozzie Guillen, Dave Concepcion showed the world what Venezuelan shortstops could do. His nine All-Star selections and five Gold Gloves came while mastering Riverfront Stadium’s unforgiving artificial turf.
He invented the signature bounce throw to first base specifically to combat that artificial surface. His defensive wizardry anchored the Big Red Machine’s left side for fifteen seasons.
That smooth fielding and clutch hitting in October made him the prototype for the modern defensive shortstop. He opened doors for an entire generation of Latin American middle infielders.
#1 Pete Rose: The Hit King’s Complicated Legacy
The numbers tell an undeniable story: 4,256 hits, 17 All-Star appearances, three batting titles, and the beating heart of The Big Red Machine. Pete Rose’s headfirst slides and relentless hustle embodied Cincinnati baseball for two decades.
His lifetime ban for gambling keeps him outside Cooperstown’s gates, making him baseball’s most controversial exclusion. No player in history collected more hits or played with more visible determination.
That Charlie Hustle nickname wasn’t marketing—it was who he was every single day. His absence from the Hall remains the sport’s most debated topic, but his impact on Cincinnati is beyond argument.
Final Thoughts
These twenty players represent different eras of Cincinnati baseball, from the dead-ball days through the Big Red Machine to the modern power era. Some were kept out by gambling bans, others by injuries, and many simply by the Hall’s high standards and limited space.
What unites them all is their impact on Cincinnati baseball history and the memories they created for generations of fans. From Crosley Field to Great American Ball Park, these legends defined what it means to wear the Reds uniform, even if Cooperstown never comes calling.