Riverfront memories

[BCubb2003]

Most of my life I've lived too far away to be a regular goer, but looking back I was surprised at the number of moments I witnessed at Riverfront. TeamBoone and Kitty Duran can probably put the rest of us to shame, but here are my top five moments at Riverfront:

1. Home runs by Hank Aaron, Mark McGwire and Ken Griffey Jr. (not in the same game of course, but it adds up to something special.)

2. Pete Rose poking the umpire.

3. Barry Larkin hitting his fifth home run in two days.

4. Kids lining up at the railing of the red seats for McGwire's batting practice.

5. John Franco going 12 innings without giving up a hit.

I'll bet the rest of you have even better ones.

[guernsey]

I was there when Eric Davis hit for the cycle against the Padres.

A co-worker and her husband were at Browning's perfect game.

[Dixieland]

I saw the Reds win the NLCS back in 1990

the Division series in 95

2 opening day victories

Pete Rose-enough said

Pete Harnisch hitting a HR

2 different clobberings of the Braves

a three game sweep of the Dodgers

and in my very last game at Riverfront which was in July Lark hit a HR!!!!

[Phoenix]

My first big league game as a kid (in '75). To walk through the stadium and seeing the big expanse of green field was magical.

I understand why it's time to go, but I will miss Riverfront.

[919191]

I still remember being awestruck walking in there for the first time as a child in July of 1970 and feeling like I was viewing a sea of green.

Attending 2 World Series games in 1972. Seeing Gene Tenace hit 2 of his 4 homers in that series is a memory not so pleasant.

Game 2 1990 World Series. Still get chills when I hear or see highlights.

Last year's game Junior won with an inside the park homer.

Watching the joy on my kid's faces as players handed them balls during batting practices or they got autographs.

Watching Pete not get hit #4000, instead walking 4 times (I think) as an Expo.

Several Opening Day games.

Hanging out in the parking area after the game.

Post-game White Castles!:thumbup:

[westofyou]

My most memorable "Riverfront" moment.

1. Bengals vs Chargers Playoffs (so cold I moved west 4 months later)

2. Game 1 1976 WS

3. Game 1 1979 Playoffs

4. Bengals vs Dolphins in rainstorm 1977

5. Any Kid Glove game vs the Tigers

[Mr Red]

I was thinking the same thing just the other day.

I was able to attend Opening Day '87 and '00
Johnny Bench Night 1983
Tony Perez Day 1986
Larkins one and only grandslam '01
One game playoff in '99

My dad who has since passed gave me alot of memories at Riverfront and now I will get to do the same with my son(5 yrs. old) at GAB.

[Redsland]

Larkin's grand slam
Dmitri's red-seat homer
An Eric Davis grand slam
Three Opening Days
The 1988 All-Star Game
the 1999 one-game playoff
Larkin's 2,000th hit
Naked Cowboy in LF

[Caseyfan21]

My top Riverfront memories I've been at would be:


Larkin's Grand Slam
Dmitri's red seater (same game)
Larkin's 2000th hit
The game the Reds hit 2 grand slams (Taubensee & Boone?)
The big win a couple years ago in August where the Harnisch hit a homer.
1995-Bret Boone hit a 3 run homer to beat the Cubs in the 11th
Opening Days in 1996 & 2002
My first game vs. the Giants when I was 8 in 1992
The walk off wins this year, Aaron Boone on Opening Day and in June, Griffey Jr. in August, and Sean Casey in Sugust


The real memories I think I'll always remember were catching balls during games (one by Ellis Burks in 1996 &2 this year)


Also I'll remember the countless chases of cars after games in hopes of getting autographs and keeping track of my records for autographs at one game and hoping to break it each game I went to.

One of the other great memories was in past years when I was younger before I organized cards to take to games, I'd just take a ball and whoever I got, I got. We'd always have to try and figure out who the heck really signed that ball and it would make for fun trips back from Cincinnati.

I have a feeling GAB just won't be the same as Riverfron but in terms of watching the game and overall enjoyment of the action I hope and feel it will be better.

[KittyDuran]

1) First game 8/31/71 vs Pads (first row green seats behind HP) we ate at McDonald's (see #6) then only had two sodas for 4 people - I only took a couple sips from my Mom's and was forced to go to the restroom during the 7th inning stretch by my Dad because we weren't going to stop on the way home. Also, every time Bench would get to the plate I'd squeeze my program - my little sis still laughs at me today about going to the games and how I would act....
2) Pokey's 3 run GW homer vs Cards in '99 - seeing the most animated version of the "bounce"
3) Larkin's GS and the Naked Cowboy in one game
4) Boone and Tauby hitting GS's vs Expos (I think) in '99
5) Seeing Fergie Jenkins (Cubs) vs Jack Billingham in '73 and being in the middle of the Bleacher Bums
6) Eating McDonald's before going to the game in the '70s (we hardly ever ate out as a family)
7) Second game (first series w/Astros after the big trade in '71) - didn't get our tickets ahead of time and had to settle for nosebleed section - Reds lost 9-5, so I ended up watching more of the crowd (actually did a stand-up routine for my speech class in my freshman year of HS based on the memories)
8) Being too scared to get Concepcion's autograph when they used to sign at the tables - why didn't my Dad force me to do that???
9) Checking out the boys (both in the stands and on the field) during my teen years and wearing tightest jeans and tops I could get away with - w/o my Mom having a fit!!!
10) Rijo making a return - talk about goosebumps! and,
11) Not game related... but on our way home from the family vacation to SE KY - hitting the "cut-in-the-hill" and seeing the stadium and knowing that we were almost home. (a view no longer available)

[RedsBaron]

I've posted this before, but my favorite Riverfront memory came in 2000 when the Reds honored Sparky Anderson and the 1975 champions before a game against the Twins. The Reds won the game, but that was secondary that night to being able to once again see the Big Red Machine and to salute the team of my youth. There were tears in my eyes.:thumbup:

[WVRedsFan]

I was there shortly after the opening of the stadium. To walk into that great round ballpark with the bright green new-tech turf was such a stark contrast to Crosley Field. Jim Merritt pitched and we won. Unforgettable.

Others, in order of importance:

1. Seaver's no-hitter. What a day. I sat in the green seats
2. Seeing Bench in his retirement year hit a homerun. wow!
3. Attending a World Series game for the first time in 1990
4. Seeing Griffey's big HR against the Dodgers this year with
5,000 people in the stands
5. Seeing Pete Rose go 3-4 as a player-manager. Electric
6. Walking across the Roebling bridge to a game many times


There are so many. I'll miss the old house, but not as much as Crosley Field. Bring me two Burger beers and one dose of Waite Hoyt. And hold the onions...

[Crosley68]

Even though I have always lived 5 hours away, I was able to attend a few games each year for most of my life. I will name a few from Riverfront only that come out without thinking:

1. Rose leveling Fosse in the All-Star Game
2. Hal King's homer against the Dodgers that started a charge to the division title.
3. Johnny hitting 2 homers against John Montefusco after he said he was gonna give Johnny the Golden Sombrero (4 strikouts)
4. Gullet's almost no-no that was almost saved by the most beautiful unsuccesful dive for a ball by Pete in rightfield in the 8th.
5. Getting to walk around the field with a banner between games of a double-header in '77...What a View!!!

Oh if I would spend some time I am sure there are a thousand, but these are ones that are most special I imagine.

[Hoosier Red]

Kevin Mitchell's two huge home runs back in 93?

I do remember one of the balls going over the foul pole, longest ball I've ever seen hit.

[Chip R]

I thought it'd be nice to make this a sticky till the weekend is over so others can add their personal favorite memories.

Mine are:
1998 Opening Day - My first Opening Day.
1999 Playoff - The mutual love the players and fans showed for each other after the disappointing result to a special season was something unforgettable
Larkin's Grand Slam
25th BRM anniversary
Rijo's return last year and first start this year
1989 (I think) First game I ever saw there against the pre-Chop Braves.
Taking the Rosie Reds tour in 2001 and the mini-tour my vintage base ball team took earlier this year when we presented John Allen with an award.

[KYRedsFan]

No particular order and leaving many out.

1. Browning's perfect game
2. All my kid glove games
3. Seeing Marge and Schottzie after a game one time
4. Riding my bike from Northern Kentucky and being able to go on the outfield during an off day
5. Jr.'s first opening day, absolutely deafening from the crowd
6. My last game there last weekend with mom and dad.

[SunDeck]

My memory made it onto the Enquirer's list that they published in a special section of their paper. I think they still have them up on the website. Just wanted to blow my own horn a little.

[fielder's choice]

-My 1st of about 10 Reds games, it was against the Cubs when I was about 5 or so.

-Watching the Reds beat the Phillies in the middle of their amazing 1999 season.

-Seeing Griffey, for the first time on June 20th of this year. I was upset when I found out he had an off-day, but he was a pinch-hitter late in the game, and he got a standing ovation when he came to the plate. I had goosebumps from the time I saw him step into the on-deck circle, until Ichiro caught his mile-high flyball. I'll never forget how sweet his swing looked in person.

-My last game there, August 17th against the Astros.

[Deepred05]

Mine would be yelling at Willie Mays, and having him smile and wave at us. Quite a thrill for a little kid. Willie was the man in those days.

[GAC]

I've had so many memories of games at Riverfront (can't stand the name Cinergy ;) ). Here's a few...

1979- My dad and I went down to watch our Reds play the Cards (sat in the LF green seats). I can't remember the Red's pitcher who started the game (which was easy to do because he only lasted a 1/3 of an inning and gave up 9 runs :rolleyes: ). Most of us in the stands figured that this game was over. The Reds brought in this young kid, and he pitched 8 2/3 innings of shutout (2 hit ball), and the Reds came back and won the game 10-9. His name?....Frank Pastore

1988- Again my Dad and I went down and watched the Reds play the Astros this time. They had Mike Scott starting for them (got some great pics!). The Reds had this young rookie playing for them, and he had the game of his life! He had 4 hits (3 TRIPLES!) in leading the Reds to victory! My Dad kept asking..."Who is this kid, and where did he come from?" And I kept saying..."That's our new rookie 3bman Dad...Chris Sabo" ;). My Dad said he had never seen anyone hustle like Chris had since Charlie Hustle himself. And he loved those goggles! My Dad thought they were so practical, and he couldn't undertand why more players didn't wear them (lol).

2000-Jr's first season as a Red. A bunch of us went down from Honda (I had to get the tickets of course :thumbup: ). We sat in the green seats ("I must be in the front row!") in right-center field. Got both Jr and Bichette to turn around and wave so we could take pics. This was the game where Villone pitched, and for once, was pitching a humdinger. He gave up a Hr to "whimpy boy" Edmonds, and then Big Mac hit the longest Hr ever at Cinergy. What was hilarious was that everyone was trying to get their bathroom break in between the inning before these guys came up (what a line!). Unfortunately, we were all standing "you know where" when Edmonds hit his. But everyone was literally "shaking their legs" and runnin' and zipping at the same time to see Big Mac's A/B :eek: . Fortunately, I was able to get outside to see his shot in time.

Griffey won the game in the 7th with a 2 run homer to RF! One of the best games I have ever seen.

And then there was the infamous game last year (again against the Cards). My two brothers and I went down. We were winning the game going into the 9th (I think it was 6-4?..too many beers), and they brought in Danny Graves. Danny ended up giving up a 3 run homer to lose it for us! As the despondent crowds filed out of the stadium, a priceless moment was revealed. A drunk (no it wasn't me :D ) hung over the railing on the exit ramps and yelled.."NOBODY SCORES ON DANNY GRAVES!" I never heard such a roar of laughter in my life from the crowd! It made the drive home enjoyable!

[savafan]

Originally posted by KittyDuran
1) First game 8/31/71 vs Pads


I've met you Kitty, there's no way you're old enough to have gone to a game in 1971 is there?


My best Riverfront memory...although I don't really remember it...was my first baseball game ever in 1977...as a baby, my dad took me down by the field and George Foster asked if he could hold me, so my dad placed me in his arms, and Ken Griffey and Johnny Bench came out of the dugout and were oogling over me too.

[Red Ball Express]

1) Watching the confetti dance in the arctic wind from my frozen perch in aisle 331 as the clock wound down to the Super Bowl in Jan, 1982.

2) The night Pete "bumped" Dave Pallone. That was one wild game. A few innings earlier, the crowd was primed by Darryl Strawberry's fight with Tom Browning. It was 1988, but this was still that same basic '86 Met team that all of baseball loved to hate. The most passionate I have ever seen Cincy fans. Transistor radios littered the field, and anyone familiar with the old "transistor radio" set at the stadium would testify that, as a group, these folks were not exactly what one would call radicals.

3) Tony Perez hitting a grand slam to cap a 7 or 8 run rally in the 9th inning to win game 1 of a doubleheader vs. SF in 1973. (Yes, we won game 2 as well !)


4) Hal King's 9th inning 3 run HR in July, 1973 that not only won the game (Game 1 of a dh sweep) but literally turned the '73 season around. (A loss would have left the Reds 12 games behind the Dodgers)

5) Bengals Div round playoff win Vs, Buffalo the week before the "Freezer Bowl". Charles Alexander had the game of his life scoring at least one TD and gaining over 100 yds.Joe Ferguson was strong for the Bills, but the Bengals defense held in the 4th quarter. I remember hugging strangers and having beers passed between lawyers landscapers and juvenile delinquents in as general a state of hapiness as a reserved city like Cincinnati could ever produce.

[Bob Borkowski]

I got to see (in no particular order):

1) Pete Rose, Jr.'s first Reds game. Seemed like old times.

2) 1970 All-Star game. Had tickets for red seats behind the scoreboard but my brother and I decided to stand on the green level instead. People in front of me stood up as Pete rounded third and they blocked my view of the play at home. Thank the Lord for taped replays.

3) 1972 game 5 of the playoffs: Bench's homer and later Moose's wild pitch. I was hoarse from yelling for 3 days.

4) Hal King's homer in '73. There was a certain brashness, almost an arrogance, about the Reds in those days. After he hit that home run, it was simply understood around here that the Reds would win the division.

5) Pinch hitter par excellance Ed Armbrister getting a rare start against San Diego and hitting a couple of homers along with another hit I believe. The pitcher decked him the next time up.

6) In the early days of Riverfront the fans weren't shooed out of the stadium quite so quickly as today. I remember watching Pete take about half an hour of extra hitting after a Sunday game. Oh man, that guy was a truly DRIVEN individual.

And there were others, but I also think we can have 'memories of Riverfront' without actually being there. Watching on TV or listening to a radio broadcast can give you almost the same chills and excitement.

[Johnny Vander m]

I was there at all the playoff games vs the Mets, ok, but I also saw the first game Pete played third base. One I will never forget, and didn't think about it till on the way home, but sometime in the mid seventys, they forgot to play the National Antham. As the game started and the Reds took the field, the rain came down, a short delay, but when they did take the field, the forgot to do the antham. I thought on the way home, back to Greenville I must have had maybe one too many,:beerme: , but no, read it in the paper the next day. Any one else remember that?