A shot at the All-time Reds roster

[WildcatFan]

This was part of a series on CBSsports, and in a pretty uneventful offseason, it may make for some fun debate. Matt Snyder picked an all-time Reds roster based on single seasons, and here's the lineup (with a DH) that he came up with:

1. 1976 Joe Morgan, 2B
2. 1987 Eric Davis, CF
3. 2010 Joey Votto, 1B
4. 1977 George Foster, LF
5. 1962 Frank Robinson, RF
6. 1970 Tony Perez, 3B
7. 1972 Johnny Bench, C
8. 1996 Barry Larkin, SS
9. 1969 Pete Rose, DH

Here's his rotation:

1947 Ewell Blackwell
1923 Dolf Luque
1993 Jose Rijo
1981 Tom Seaver
1965 Jim Maloney

And a shortened bullpen:

2012 Aroldis Chapman (closer)
1967 Ted Abernathy
1990 Rob Dibble

Have at it.

[NebraskaRed]

I had to look up who Dolf Luque was. This list is pretty solid. I might sub Tom Browning for Blackwell, and Concepcion for Larkin.

Oh, and Sparky should manage this team.

[mth123]

This was part of a series on CBSsports, and in a pretty uneventful offseason, it may make for some fun debate. Matt Snyder picked an all-time Reds roster based on single seasons, and here's the lineup (with a DH) that he came up with:

1. 1976 Joe Morgan, 2B
2. 1987 Eric Davis, CF
3. 2010 Joey Votto, 1B
4. 1977 George Foster, LF
5. 1962 Frank Robinson, RF
6. 1970 Tony Perez, 3B
7. 1972 Johnny Bench, C
8. 1996 Barry Larkin, SS
9. 1969 Pete Rose, DH

Here's his rotation:

1947 Ewell Blackwell
1923 Dolf Luque
1993 Jose Rijo
1981 Tom Seaver
1965 Jim Maloney

And a shortened bullpen:

2012 Aroldis Chapman (closer)
1967 Ted Abernathy
1990 Rob Dibble

Have at it.

Hard to argue with this list. Bucky Walters and Mario Soto might seem like guys who need a place on the staff.

[klw]

What no Paul Householder?

[Bob Borkowski]

Sorry, gotta go with Big Klu's 1954 season over Votto's 2010. A tough call but Ted had one astonishing season that year.

[cumberlandreds]

Bucky Walters 1939 season can't be overlooked. 27 wins is awfully good for any time period.

[westofyou]

I do this batting order

1. 1969 Pete Rose, DH
2. 2010 Joey Votto, 1B
3. 1976 Joe Morgan, 2B
4. 1962 Frank Robinson, RF
5. 1972 Johnny Bench, C
6. 1977 George Foster, LF
7. 1987 Eric Davis, CF
8. 1996 Barry Larkin, SS
9. 1970 Tony Perez, 3B

I also toss in one more LH in the BP

1988 - John Franco

[westofyou]

Sorry, gotta go with Big Klu's 1954 season over Votto's 2010. A tough call but Ted had one astonishing season that year.

Flip a coin, everyone wins!!

CINCINNATI REDS
SEASON
MODERN (1900-)
1B
AVERAGE vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria
OBA vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria
SLG vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria
RCAP displayed only--not a sorting criteria
EXTRA BASE HITS vs. the league average displayed only--not a sorting criteria

OPS                           YEAR     DIFF   PLAYER   LEAGUE     AVG      OBA      SLG     RCAP      EBH    
1    Ted Kluszewski           1954     .280    1.049     .769     .052     .061     .218       58       37   
2    Joey Votto               2010     .279    1.024     .745     .062     .092     .187       61       31

[klw]

Cy Seymour's 1905 season should also be considered.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...eymocy01.shtml

To solve the Votto/ Klu issue, I would probably bump Rose from the DH and put Klu there. Klu then slots in 5th in the lineup between robinson and Foster- Got to split up the lefties.

1. 1976 Joe Morgan, 2B
2. 1987 Eric Davis, CF
3. 2010 Joey Votto, 1B
4. 1962 Frank Robinson, RF
5. 1954 Ted Kluszewski DH
6. 1977 George Foster, LF
7. 1970 Tony Perez, 3B
8. 1972 Johnny Bench, C (I would also look at taking 1970 Bench instead)
9. 1996 Barry Larkin, SS

[dougdirt]

Sorry Pete, your 1969 was good, but if it is between you and 54 Kluszewski, it isn't even close. How Klu didn't get the nod there is awfully confusing.

[RedFanAlways1966]

I'll be "that guy"... why in the hell would Matt Snyder include a DH in this discussion? GRRR! The REDS are a National League team. NO reason to have a DH in the discussion. Of course the discussion is nothing more than a discussion, but just dumb IMO.

Signed, National League die-hard

[BluegrassRedleg]

Mario Soto 1983 and Danny Jackson 1988 would both have to be strongly considered for a spot in the rotation, IMO, but I like the OP's list a lot. Fun topic.

[BluegrassRedleg]

2. 1987 Eric Davis, CF

I have several favorite Reds that are slightly above ED in the hierarchy, but this might be my favorite individual season that any Red has ever had. He was spectacular in every facet of the game.

[klw]

Sorry Pete, your 1969 was good, but if it is between you and 54 Kluszewski, it isn't even close. How Klu didn't get the nod there is awfully confusing.

Originally Posted by RedFanAlways1966
I'll be "that guy"... why in the hell would Matt Snyder include a DH in this discussion? GRRR! The REDS are a National League team. NO reason to have a DH in the discussion. Of course the discussion is nothing more than a discussion, but just dumb IMO.

Signed, National League die-hard

Reading the article, the Rose slot show as a super utility player position which then translates into a DH slot in the lineup. It seemed like a consolation prize for Pete being a runner up in many different positions.

SPECIAL UTILITY MAN - Pete Rose, 1969

It goes without saying that Rose is one of baseball's most iconic figures. He's definitely unique, as are all human beings, but his case is particularly compelling because he ended up being among my final considerations at four different positions.

He has done this also for the Cubs, Cards and Brewers and only had the 8 position players and no DH or Utility Player (even with the Brewers AL history). I think it is a Rose only creation.

[harangatang]

Bronson Arroyo 2006 and Johnny Cueto 2012.