Players from the past who fly under the radar: Lets show them some love

[mlh1981]

Everyone rememberes the contributions of guys from the Big Red Machine, and then there the obvious choices from the Reds' 1990 World Series team, but lets come up with a list of guys who you don't want to be forgotten. Preferrably, they aren't HOF guys who already get tons of love. Think of guys in Reds history who have put forth their solid contributions, but are in danger of being forgotten.

I'll start with someone: Aaron Boone. Not going to Cooperstown, never a legend or a great ballplayer, but during his time, his abilities in the clutch, and his overall play, were a bright spot for some bad Reds teams.

[Mr Larkin]

How about the two Billies from the 1990 WS champs - Hatcher and Bates.

[flash]

I liked Sammy Ellis and Jim Maloney in the sixties. Also Johnny Edwards. Of course I am a little prejudiced. Sammy Ellis pitched in the first game I ever attended, and Johnny Edwards lived nearby. (That was before the days of multi-million dollar salaries.)

I also really liked Gary Nolan. I remeber the night when he was 19 and struck out 15 Giants in 6 innings. (Willie Mays, 4 times) I don't know if he counts because he was part of the machine.

[DaytonFlyer]

Glenn Braggs. Anybody who can snap a bat in half on his back is worthy of remembrance.

[Griffey012]

Steve Parris in 99-2000, put up some solid numbers and was very important in '00.

[Mr Larkin]

They were a part of the Big Red Machine, but I never thought they got the credit they deserved. Caesar who roamed CF with grace and Davey who could bounce it to first with the best of them.

[camisadelgolf]

Reggie Sanders put together an excellent career. How many players have 300+ HRs and 300+ SBs? Not even Ray Lankford, Eric Davis, Mike Cameron, Ron Gant, Darryl Strawberry, and many other popular major leaguers have managed that.

[PhatHead]

Sean "The Mayor" Casey. What a great clubhouse presence.

[texasdave]

Scott Sullivan - a ton of effective innings out of the pen.

[TStuck]

Lee May.
The big bopper was a solid power-hitting first baseman for the Reds in late
60's & early 70's who ultimately was a centerpiece of the trade with Houston after the '71 season that brought Morgan, Geronimo, Billingham & Menke to the Reds. May had a solid career through the rest of the 70's playing for the Astros and Orioles (retired in '82 after 2 years with Royals).
Whether the Reds management knew something, or fell into some dumb luck, trading May was a classic example of selling high at the right time. After hitting 38, 34 & 39 HRs in '69-'71, he was traded in '71 at age 28 and never hit 30 HRs again (although he still hit 20 or more each of the next 7 years).
Of course, we know the return on that trade was very favorable to Cincy as it put into place some key cogs of the Big Red Machine.

[Ghosts of 1990]

I loved Bip Roberts

[OGB]

Utility OF and Middletown, Ohio's own, Thomas "Tank" Howard. 4 seasons with the Reds including a career year in 95 when he helped the Reds make their last playoff appearance.

[Sun_Valley_King]

I am putting together a compilation of MLB team victory songs, and I was wondering if anyone knows that song that they play after a Reds home victory. Thanks in advance.

[wojo1025]

Hal Morris was hands down one of my favorite players during his time w/the Reds. Bip Roberts was another high up on my list.

[fugowitribe]

I have always appreciated the work of Chris Stynes as a member of the REDS.

[flash]

I don't like to post to much, but I have to include the submariner Ted Abernathy. I remember the first time I saw him on TV and being astonded that he threw underhand. he was Fireman of the year in 67. Another notable was Mel Queen. There was another guy in the eighties nicknamed Animal, but I can't remeber his name.

[OGB]

Hal Morris was hands down one of my favorite players during his time w/the Reds. Bip Roberts was another high up on my list.

I still remember as a 9 year old riding home from somewhere in our family's big conversion van in the fall of '91 and listening to the last game of the year as Hal Morris (.318 that season)* Terry Pendleton (.319) and Tony Gwynn (.317) were in an every-AB-critical race for the NL batting title.



*I'm not enough of a nerd to actually remember the BAs, I had to look those up.

[texasdave]

I don't like to post to much, but I have to include the submariner Ted Abernathy. I remember the first time I saw him on TV and being astonded that he threw underhand. he was Fireman of the year in 67. Another notable was Mel Queen. There was another guy in the eighties nicknamed Animal, but I can't remeber his name.

if we are going back that far then i would include clay carroll...

[HalMorrisRules]

Hal Morris was hands down one of my favorite players during his time w/the Reds. Bip Roberts was another high up on my list.

Hal Morris? Well, he RULES!

Also, Kal Daniels, Eddie Milner, Kevin Mitchell, I absolutely loved Nick Esasky, Frank Williams (RIP), Rob Murphy...Ok, I named enough I think.

[Trace's Daddy]

Hal Morris and Glenn Braggs for me.

Hal Morris for that little foot dance he would do in the batter's box before inevitably slapping a single opposite field over the shortstop's head like clockwork.

I remember reading a program at a game in '91 which listed hobbies and what not for the players. Everyone had several listed, but I'm pretty sure Braggs' just said "lifting weights" hahaa

[Chris Sabowned]

The early half of the decade gave us little to cheer in the starting pitcher department, so it gets forgotten that we had some productive guys in 2002.

Jimmy Haynes 2002: 15-10, 4.12 era, 1.4 whip
Elmer Dessens 2002: 7-8, 3.03 era, 1.2 whip

[mroby85]

Jose Guillen, loved watching him gun down runners trying to take an extra base, and he had a well above average bat to go with it. I thought he was great with the Reds.

[ian_madden]

Jose Guillen, loved watching him gun down runners trying to take an extra base, and he had a well above average bat to go with it. I thought he was great with the Reds.

I liked Guillen as well. But the best thing about Guillen was we traded him for Harang. So I give you more props my friend.

[Roush's socks]

Tom Browning was one of my favorites and he did the best he could with the stuff he had. He was pretty effective for awhile.

[BigJohn]

Chris Sabo

[will5979]

1. Luis Quinois-major production in 1990 of pinch hit RBIs.

2. Jerome Walton-hit a key walk-off to get the Reds going in 95, I still remember listening to Nuxy screaming "get up ball! GET UP!"

3. Jeff Branson-took over after Sabo, consistent 3rd baseman

4. Steve Avery-had some key wins in 99.
5. Ron Villone-remember all the 1-2 hitters this guy pitched?

6. Joe Oliver-best catcher we had since JB, Taubensee was ok, but he wasn't an Oliver.

7. Roger Salkeld-This guy had an 8-5 record in 1996 and then just vanished into thin air when we were in desperate need of pitching...

8. Jeffery Hammonds-3 hr game in that COlorado blowout where SportsCenter posted the final score Bengals-24 Broncos-12!

9. Mike Frank-Just because of the outfield of Young, Frank, and Stynes (the media ate that crap up!)

10.Rich Aurilla-key to contention in 2006.