The Cincinnati Reds! Quiz | MLB Teams

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1. Contrary to many beliefs, the modern-day Cincinnati Reds franchise was not one of the original teams in the inaugural National League season of 1876. The modern-day Reds franchise began in the American Association in which year?

Answer: 1882

The Cincinnati Reds' franchise of 1876 that folded in 1880, is not the same franchise as we all know today. The modern-day franchise began as the Cincinnati Red Stockings in the American Association in 1882. The AA league existed from 1882-1891, but the franchise quit the AA after the 1889 season.

The franchise joined the National League in 1890. In 1882, the team won the first American Association league pennant by going 55-25, 13 games ahead of second place Louisville Eclipse. It was their only pennant in that league.

2. In what year did the Reds make their first World Series appearance?

Answer: 1919

The first World Series happened in 1903, but the Reds weren't in it. Their first was, and unfortunately, in 1919 with the Black Sox Scandal provided by some Chicago White Sox players. The Reds won the series five games to three under manager Pat Moran. Greasy Neale had the bat, and Hod Eller had the arm for the Reds.

3. The MVP award did not begin until 1911, and the Reds had to wait until 1938 for their team to have a winner. Then in 1939, Reds pitcher Bucky Walters won the award, and amazingly enough, the Reds three-peated with Frank McCormick winning it in 1940. Who was the first Red to win the NL MVP in 1938, to start this three-peat?

Answer: Ernie Lombardi

The others never played for the Reds, weren't born yet, or played for any team in the National League. Lombardi was also the first National League catcher in history to win a batting title in 1938, then won it again in 1942. He won the 1938 MVP over Bill Lee, Arky Vaughn, and Mel Ott.

4. Which of the following hit the most home runs in a Cincinnati Reds uniform?

Answer: Johnny Bench

McCovey and Maris never played for Cincinnati, and Robinson played only 10 of his 21 seasons for the Reds, but amazingly still hit 324 home runs in their uniform. Bench was a career Cincinnati Red from 1967-1983. Johnny hit 389 home runs for the Reds.

5. The 2007 Reds didn't get off to a great start in the season, and at the midway point found themselves in last place in the NL Central Division. Who was the team's first 10-game losing pitcher?

Answer: Kyle Lohse

The others were all Philadelphia Phillies pitchers in 2007. When Lohse lost his 10th game in 2007, he had an ERA of 5.02, but every other starter except for Aaron Harang, who won eight of his first 10 decisions, had an ERA of over 5.00. In midseason 2006, Kyle was in his sixth MLB season and was traded from the Twins to the Reds for a Minor League player.

6. In the 1970s, the Cincinnati Reds club was nicknamed 'The Big Red Machine'. The team went to four World Series in the decade. Who was their manager in these four World Series?

Answer: Sparky Anderson

The others were all managers for the Reds, but not until the 1990s. Anderson was a rookie manager in 1970, and kept the helm of the team until 1978. Sparky took the team to the promised land in 1970 and 1972 in a loss, then won back to back World Series in 1975 and 1976.

He won two Manager of the Year awards, but both with the Detroit Tigers in the 1980s. The Manager of the Year award did not begin until 1983.

7. Who was the franchise's first 30-game winner when he won 40 games in a season in 1882?

Answer: Will White

The others were all Cincinnati pitchers, but were not born yet for over another 50 years. White went 40-12 in 1882 in the American Association. He topped that with 43 wins in 1883. Will retired after only 10 seasons in 1886 with 229 wins.

8. Who was the first Reds slugger to hit 50 home runs in a season?

Answer: George Foster

The others never played for the Reds in their career. In his ninth season in 1977, it was the first time that Foster hit more than 30 home runs in a season. He smacked 52, earning him the NL MVP. George hit 40+ home runs only twice in his career. He retired with 348 after 18 seasons in 1986.

9. Who was Cincinnati's first manager to take the team to 100 wins in a season?

Answer: Bill McKechnie

The others never managed the Reds. McKechnie took the Reds in 1938 to a 82-68 season. 1939 saw them with 97 wins and a trip to the World Series, but found a loss to the Yankees, four games to none. In 1940, Bill and the Reds found the century mark by going 100-53, winning it all in the World Series against the Detroit Tigers. Sparky Anderson took the team to three 100-win seasons in the 1970s, including going 108-60 in 1970.

These were all the team's 100-win seasons in the 20th century.

10. Throughout the 20th century, the Reds have had their share of Rookie of the Year award winners with six. They included Pete Rose in 1963, Johnny Bench in 1968, Pat Zachry in 1976, Chris Sabo in 1988, and pitcher Scott Williamson in 1999. Which Cincinnati Red won the team's very first Rookie of the Year award in 1956?

Answer: Frank Robinson

The others never played for the Reds. Frank hit 38 home runs, batted .290, and had 166 hits in his rookie award-winning season. He went on to win the NL MVP in 1961. The Reds traded Robinson after the 1965 season to the Baltimore Orioles for Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun, and Dick Simpson. Frank showed his 'appreciation' by winning the Triple Crown for the Orioles in 1966, the Babe Ruth award, Major League Player of the Year award, AL MVP, and World Series MVP. Robinson retired in 1976 after 21 seasons with 586 home runs.

The Hall of Fame took Frank in 1982.

Source: Author Nightmare

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The Cincinnati Reds! Trivia Quiz

All multiple choice about the history of Cincinnati Reds baseball franchise. Easier than you might think. You can do this! I hope that you learn something new. :-)

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