The Cincinnati Reds are one of MLB’s most traditional franchises, with five World Series championships and lots of stories behind them.
The Big Red Machine of the 1970s, in particular, captivated baseball by winning two Fall Classics and four pennants over that decade.
Joe Morgan was certainly one of the best players of the time, and one of the greatest Reds ever to put on that uniform.
Joe Morgan was one the greatest 2B to ever play. #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/DTGbob6QIc
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) February 10, 2022
‘Little Joe’ could contribute in every aspect of the game: he hit .271/.392/.427 and was known for his incredible on-base skills, he had power (268 home runs) and was a fantastic base stealer (689 thefts).
He also flashed some leather, winning five Gold Glove awards at second base between 1973 and 1977.
He went to ten All-Star Games (1966, 1970, 1972–1979), won two World Series (1975, 1976) and also two NL MVP awards (1975, 1976).
He also took a Silver Slugger Award in 1982 and had his number eight retired by the Reds.
Since 1990, he is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Oh, and he accumulated 98.8 Wins Above Replacement over his brilliant career.
Is he the best player in Reds history, though?
Morgan Played Over Half Of His Career Elsewhere
Had he played his entire career with the Reds, he would have a great case to be considered.
But he was in Cincinnati for eight of the 22 seasons he played MLB ball.
The recognition of the “best player in Reds history” should go to someone who spent all, or at least most of his career with the team.
Morgan’s best years were with a Reds uniform, sure, but he played 10 seasons in Houston, too.
By this logic, who is the best player in Reds history?
Morgan, and Frank Robinson, would be considered if they had played the majority of their MLB careers in Cincinnati.
If we consider this profile, there are a couple of candidates.
Pete Rose is certainly one, even with the controversies about his gambling problems and the consequences that they brought him.
Tony Perez is another one, as is the great Dave Concepcion.
Johnny Bench, however, is perhaps the most iconic member of the Reds, together with Rose.
Bench Is The Best Reds Player In History
If we combine offense, defense, leadership, sportsmanship, and impact on and off the field, Bench is the best player in Reds history.
In WAR achieved in a Reds uniform, Rose has the slightest of leads, 76.2 to 74.8.
However, Rose played 564 more games, making Bench’s output more impressive.
Bench, in addition, was a hitting star from a position (catcher) where offensive excellence was not expected.
Bench was one of the best catchers in baseball: he hit .267/.342/.476 with 389 home runs, 1,091 runs scored, and 1,376 RBI.
This kind of offensive performance earned him numerous accolades.
He played in 14 All-Star Games (1968–1980, 1983), won two World Series (1975, 1976) and two MVP awards (1970, 1972).
He was also the MVP of the 1976 World Series, and the Rookie of the Year in 1968.
He led the league in homers twice and in RBI three times.
He combined elite offense with incredible defense: he won the Gold Glove award ten times (1968–1977).
He is both in the Reds’ and National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Johnny Bench. Best catcher ever, best defensive catcher ever for me. Perfected the one-handed catching technique. Rookie of the Year. Two MVPs. Tremendous player for the 1975-76 Reds, one of the greatest teams in history. #bestofalltim
— Tim Kurkjian (@Kurkjian_ESPN) May 3, 2019
Morgan may have had the better career, but Bench is the best Red of all time.
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