The Reds entered the season with wild-card playoff aspirations after notching 83 wins the previous season. But Cincinnati faltered early and finished in the cellar of the NL Central Division with the third-worst record (62-100) in the majors.
Third baseman Brandon Drury hit .274 with 20 home runs and 22 doubles before getting traded to the Padres, and reliever Alexis Diaz put together a stellar campaign, posting a 7-3 record and a 1.84 ERA with 83 strikeouts in 63.2 frames.
The Reds have begun a complete rebuilding project, and Cincinnati fans will likely have little to cheer for in 2023.
The Cincinnati Reds are a member of Major League Baseball's National League Central division, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They were founded in 1881 as an American Association (AA) franchise and became a major league team in 1890 when they joined the National League.
The team is one of the oldest and most successful teams in MLB history. They have won five World Series titles (1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, and 1990), as well as nine NL pennants, and ten division titles. The Reds are known for some iconic moments in baseball history, including Pete Rose breaking Ty Cobb’s all-time hits record in 1985, and Joe Morgan’s walk-off home run to win Game 7 of the 1975 World Series against the Boston Red Sox.
The Reds play their home games at Great American Ball Park, located on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Cincinnati. The stadium features a classic red brick facade that pays homage to its predecessors Crosley Field and Riverfront Stadium Built in 2003, the stadium has a capacity of 42,319 fans. The atmosphere at games is electric with Reds fans cheering on their beloved team throughout the season.
Two of the biggest rivals of the Cincinnati Reds have traditionally been their divisional opponents; most notably the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals. However, their biggest rivalry is with the American League's Cleveland Guardians, with whom they compete in an annual interleague series called the Ohio Cup. As of 2022, the Reds trail the Guardians in the overall series record.
Some of the key players from throughout the history of the Cincinnati Reds include Barry Larkin who was inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame after spending his entire career with them from 1986-2004; Pete Rose who was part of two World Series championships teams and holds MLB’s all-time hits record; Frank Robinson who is one of only seven players to win MVP awards in both leagues; Johnny Bench who won ten Gold Gloves during his career as a catcher; Ken Griffey Jr., whose 630 home runs rank sixth all-time.
