1976 Cincinnati Reds season
Encyclopedia
The Cincinnati Reds
season was a season in American baseball. The Reds won their second consecutive National League West
title with a record of 102-60, 10 games ahead of the runner-up Los Angeles Dodgers
. They went on to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies
in the 1976 National League Championship Series
in three straight games, and then win their second consecutive World Series
title in four straight games over the New York Yankees
. They were the third and most recent National League
team to achieve this distinction, and the first since the 1921
-22
New York Giants
. The Reds played their home games at Riverfront Stadium.
, Joe Morgan
, Tony Perez
, and manager Sparky Anderson
), the future MLB all-time hits leader Pete Rose
, and a notable supporting line up including Dave Concepción
at shortstop
, and Ken Griffey
, César Gerónimo
, and George Foster in the outfield.
The Reds retained their NL pennant
by winning the NLCS in three games over the Phillies, and their second consecutive World Series
title by defeating the Yankees in four games, becoming only the second team to sweep a World Series from the Yankees (following the 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers
). By sweeping both the Phillies and Yankees, the Reds became the first and only team to have a perfect postseason since the League Championship Series
was started in 1969.
Joe Morgan
was the NL's Most Valuable Player for the second straight season and Johnny Bench
was the World Series MVP.
To celebrate the National League
's 100th anniversary, the Reds and several other teams adopted pillbox-style caps.
Reds starter Don Gullett held the Phils to two hits in eight strong innings and helped his own cause with an RBI single in the sixth and a two-run double in the eighth. George Foster added a solo homer.
NL Cincinnati Reds (4) vs. AL New York Yankees
(0)>
Game
Road
Home
Score
Date
Location
Attendance
Time of Game
1
Yankees
Reds
5 - 1
Sat. Oct. 16 (D)
Riverfront Stadium
54,826
2:10
2
Yankees
Reds
4 - 3
Sun. Oct. 17 (N)
Riverfront Stadium
54,816
2:33
3
Reds
Yankees
6 - 2
Tue. Oct. 19 (N)
Yankee Stadium
56,667
2:40
4
Reds
Yankees
7 - 2
Thu. Oct. 21 (N)
Yankee Stadium
56,700
2:36
1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
season was a season in American baseball. The Reds won their second consecutive National League West
National League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
title with a record of 102-60, 10 games ahead of the runner-up Los Angeles Dodgers
1976 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the season in second place in the western division of the National League. The big news was when long-time manager of two decades Walter Alston resigned abruptly near the end of the season and was replaced by Tommy Lasorda who would manage the team for two decades...
. They went on to defeat the Philadelphia Phillies
1976 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies season was the 94th season in the history of the franchise. The Phillies won their first National League East title, as they compiled a record of 101-61, nine games ahead of the second-place Pittsburgh Pirates....
in the 1976 National League Championship Series
1976 National League Championship Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 9, 1976 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaReds starter Don Gullett held the Phils to two hits in eight strong innings and helped his own cause with an RBI single in the sixth and a two-run double in the eighth...
in three straight games, and then win their second consecutive World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
title in four straight games over the New York Yankees
1976 New York Yankees season
The 1976 New York Yankees season was the 74th season for the Yankees in New York, and the 76th season overall for the franchise. The team finished with a record of 97-62, finishing 10½ games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles to win their first American League East title.In the ALCS, the Yankees...
. They were the third and most recent National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
team to achieve this distinction, and the first since the 1921
1921 New York Giants season
- Roster:- Starters by position:Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in-Other batters:Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
-22
1922 New York Giants season
- Roster:- Starters by position:Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in-Other batters:Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. The Reds played their home games at Riverfront Stadium.
Offseason
- October 24, 1975: Joaquín AndújarJoaquín AndújarJoaquín Andújar is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who became one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball while playing with the St. Louis Cardinals in the mid-80s.-Early years:...
was traded by the Reds to the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for players to be named later. The Astros completed the deal by sending Luis SánchezLuis SánchezThis article is about a baseball player; for other people with the same name, see Luis Sanchez Luis Mercedes Escobar Sánchez , nicknamed "Escoba" , was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the California Angels. He also played in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants...
and Carlos Alfonso (minors) to the Reds on December 12. - December 12, 1975: Clay CarrollClay CarrollClay Palmer Carroll is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball with a 15-year career from 1964 to 1978. He pitched for the Milwaukee Braves & Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds, St...
were traded by the Reds to the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
for Rich HintonRich HintonRichard Michael Hinton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of six seasons between and , including three separate stints with the Chicago White Sox.-Draft history:...
and Jeff Sovern (minors).
Season summary
The "Big Red Machine" was at the height of its power in the 1976 season, with four future Hall-of-Famers (Johnny BenchJohnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
, Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan
Joe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
, Tony Perez
Tony Pérez
Atanasio Pérez Rigal , more commonly known as Tony Pérez, is a former Major League Baseball player. He was also known by the nickname "Big Dog," "Big Doggie," and "Doggie."...
, and manager Sparky Anderson
Sparky Anderson
George Lee "Sparky" Anderson was an American Major League Baseball manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers of the American League. He was the first manager to win the World Series in both...
), the future MLB all-time hits leader Pete Rose
Pete Rose
Peter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
, and a notable supporting line up including Dave Concepción
Dave Concepción
David Ismael Concepción Benitez , better known as Dave Concepción, is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. He was born in Ocumare de la Costa, Aragua State, Venezuela...
at shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, and Ken Griffey
Ken Griffey, Sr.
George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He currently serves as Manager for the Bakersfield Blaze, the Reds' Single A minor league affiliate. He is the father of former professional outfielder Ken Griffey, Jr. and former minor leaguer Craig Griffey. He and his...
, César Gerónimo
César Gerónimo
César Francisco Gerónimo Zorrilla , known as César Gerónimo, is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, who was a member of the famed Big Red Machine of the Cincinnati Reds during the 1970s. He batted and threw left-handed....
, and George Foster in the outfield.
The Reds retained their NL pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
by winning the NLCS in three games over the Phillies, and their second consecutive World Series
1976 World Series
The 1976 World Series matched the defending champion Cincinnati Reds of the National League against the New York Yankees of the American League, with the Reds sweeping the Series to repeat. The Reds became the only team to sweep an entire multi-tier postseason. The Reds are also the last National...
title by defeating the Yankees in four games, becoming only the second team to sweep a World Series from the Yankees (following the 1963 Los Angeles Dodgers
1963 Los Angeles Dodgers season
The Los Angeles Dodgers were led by pitcher Sandy Koufax, who won both the Cy Young Award and the Most Valuable Player Award. The team went 99–63 to win the National League title by six games over the runner-up St...
). By sweeping both the Phillies and Yankees, the Reds became the first and only team to have a perfect postseason since the League Championship Series
League Championship Series
The League Championship Series is the official name for a round of postseason play in Major League Baseball which has been conducted since 1969...
was started in 1969.
Joe Morgan
Joe Morgan
Joe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
was the NL's Most Valuable Player for the second straight season and Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
was the World Series MVP.
To celebrate the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
's 100th anniversary, the Reds and several other teams adopted pillbox-style caps.
Notable transactions
- April 5, 1976: Merv RettenmundMerv RettenmundMervin Weldon Rettenmund is a former Major League Baseball player and coach. He played thirteen seasons with the Baltimore Orioles , the Cincinnati Reds , the San Diego Padres and the California Angels ....
was traded by the Reds to the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Rudy MeoliRudy MeoliRudolph Bartholomew Meoli is a former professional baseball player who played six seasons for the California Angels, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-References:...
.
Roster
| 1976 Cincinnati Reds | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Game log
| Game Log | |
|---|---|
Player stats
| = Indicates team leader |
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen Bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 135 | 465 | 62 | 109 | .234 | 16 | 74 | 13 | |
| 1B | 139 | 527 | 77 | 137 | .260 | 19 | 91 | 10 | |
| 2B | 141 | 472 | 113 | 151 | .320 | 27 | 111 | 60 | |
| 3B | 162 | 665 | 130 | 215 | .323 | 10 | 63 | 9 | |
| SS | 152 | 576 | 74 | 162 | .281 | 9 | 69 | 21 | |
| LF | 144 | 562 | 86 | 172 | .306 | 29 | 121 | 17 | |
| CF | 149 | 486 | 59 | 149 | .307 | 2 | 49 | 22 | |
| RF | 148 | 562 | 111 | 189 | .336 | 6 | 74 | 34 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen Bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 98 | 219 | 32 | 54 | .247 | 7 | 44 | 14 | |
| 93 | 219 | 20 | 62 | .283 | 1 | 20 | 2 | |
| 69 | 124 | 17 | 37 | .298 | 6 | 23 | 0 | |
| 55 | 57 | 8 | 11 | .193 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | .500 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 239.1 | 15 | 9 | 3.46 | 113 | |
| 38 | 204 | 14 | 7 | 2.74 | 143 | |
| 33 | 180.1 | 12 | 7 | 3.10 | 126 | |
| 34 | 177 | 12 | 10 | 4.32 | 76 | |
| 30 | 132 | 11 | 4 | 4.70 | 67 | |
| 23 | 126 | 11 | 3 | 3.00 | 64 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 39 | 2 | 3 | 6.23 | 15 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | 11 | 5 | 26 | 2.09 | 70 | |
| 69 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 3.35 | 53 | |
| 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7.64 | 8 | |
| 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 7 |
Game 1
October 9, Veterans StadiumVeterans Stadium
Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 0 | |
| Philadelphia | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 1 | |
| W: Don Gullett (1-0) L: Steve Carlton Steve Carlton Steven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards... (0-1) SV: None |
|||||||||||||
| HRs: CIN – George Foster (1) PHI – None | |||||||||||||
Reds starter Don Gullett held the Phils to two hits in eight strong innings and helped his own cause with an RBI single in the sixth and a two-run double in the eighth. George Foster added a solo homer.
Game 2
October 10, Veterans StadiumVeterans Stadium
Philadelphia Veterans Stadium was a professional-sports, multi-purpose stadium, located at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | |
| Philadelphia | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 1 | |
| W: Pat Zachry Pat Zachry Patrick Paul Zachry is a former Major League baseball pitcher who had a ten year career from to .-Cincinnati Reds:... (1-0) L: Jim Lonborg Jim Lonborg James Reynold Lonborg is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played with the Boston Red Sox , Milwaukee Brewers and Philadelphia Phillies... (0-1) SV: Pedro Borbón Pedro Borbón Spudro spärde Von Dolan is a former pitcher. He played Major League Baseball for 12 seasons for four teams, including 10 seasons for the Cincinnati Reds , playing on two World Series winning teams... (1) |
|||||||||||||
| HRs: CIN – None PHI – Greg Luzinski (1) | |||||||||||||
Game 3
October 12, Riverfront Stadium| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 0 | |
| Cincinnati | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 2 | |
| W: Rawly Eastwick Rawly Eastwick Rawlins Jackson "Rawly" Eastwick is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher who played from 1975 to 1981.-Career:... (1-0) L: Gene Garber Gene Garber Henry Eugene Garber is a former sidearm relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round of the amateur draft, and pitched for the Pirates, the Kansas City Royals, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Atlanta Braves.Upon his retirement in , his... (0-1) SV: None |
|||||||||||||
| HRs: CIN – George Foster (2) Johnny Bench Johnny Bench Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame... (1) PHI – None |
|||||||||||||
Summary
1976 New York Yankees season
The 1976 New York Yankees season was the 74th season for the Yankees in New York, and the 76th season overall for the franchise. The team finished with a record of 97-62, finishing 10½ games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles to win their first American League East title.In the ALCS, the Yankees...
(0)>
Awards and honors
- Johnny BenchJohnny BenchJohnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
, Babe Ruth AwardBabe Ruth AwardThe Babe Ruth Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player with the best performance in the postseason. The award, created by the New York chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America in honor of Babe Ruth, was first awarded in 1949 to the MVP of the World Series, one... - Johnny Bench, World Series Most Valuable Player Award
- Pete RosePete RosePeter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
, Roberto Clemente AwardRoberto Clemente AwardThe Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It is named for Hall of Fame...
1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 47th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 13, 1976 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of...
- Johnny Bench, Catcher, Starter
- Joe MorganJoe MorganJoe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
, Second Base, Starter - Pete Rose, Third Base, Starter
- Dave ConcepciónDave ConcepciónDavid Ismael Concepción Benitez , better known as Dave Concepción, is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball. He was born in Ocumare de la Costa, Aragua State, Venezuela...
, Shortstop, Starter - George Foster, Outfield, Starter