Cincinnati Reds
Great American Ballpark
Ohio, United States
The Cincinnati Reds began as a local baseball club in the mid-1800s, playing what was considered a gentleman’s game—until one man saw it differently. Harry Wright, a former player, decided to pay players to compete, forming the first professional baseball team in 1869.
Originally known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the team revolutionized baseball at a time when playing for money was seen as ungentlemanly. Many believed the sport should remain a leisure activity, but the Red Stockings proved them wrong, dominating their opponents and changing the game forever. Despite facing financial struggles in their early years, the franchise rebounded and went on to win five World Series titles (1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, 1990).
The Reds are best known for their "Big Red Machine" era in the 1970s, one of the most dominant teams in baseball history. Legends like Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, Tony Pérez, George Foster, Dave Concepción, Ken Griffey Sr., and César Gerónimo formed a powerhouse lineup that swept both the NLCS and the World Series in 1976, an unprecedented feat at the time.
Since 2003, the team has called Great American Ballpark home. Overlooking the Ohio River, the stadium provides a breathtaking backdrop for Red Country fans as they cheer on their team against fierce rivals like the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates.