Since it seems like Reds all-time player lists are all the rage these days, I thought it be best to hop the band-waggon before it fills.
Forget those other guys. They aren't even Reds' fans. My list is the one, the only, and the best.
For starters my catcher...wait, how do I make this list stuff?
Since I don't know how to create a slide show I'll just list them by name and reason.
Catcher: Bo Diaz
Why?
The dude died for his family.
On an especially windy day, he went to his rooftop in Caracus, Venezuala and tried to adjust his satellite dish for better reception, lost his balance, and fell to his death.
First Base: Tony Perez
Why?
I just want to clear things up for the first of the current slew of list makers.
Tony Perez was a first baseman
In his 23-year major league career, he played third in only five of them. Additionally, he had two seasons where he was exclusively at the hot corner.
Second Base: Ron Oester
Why?
Because I was at the game where Mookie Wilson's take-out slide devastated Oester's knee. Watching it on TV must have been one thing, but seeing (and hearing) it live was amazing.
Not amazing in a good way, especially for Oester, but amazing in the way that it made an entire stadium full of people gasp in horror. Oester was only 31 at the time. The injury pretty much ended his career.
He came back the following season and the next two, but was never the same again. Mookie ended his career and I was there.
Third Base: Eddie Grant (1911 & 1912)
Why?
You need to ask? He shares the same name as that guy who sang "Electric Avenue".
Shortstop: Barry Larkin
Why?
Because the man had class flowing from every pour of his body. He could have played a few more years as a journeyman. Instead he hung up his cleats and retired a Red.
Left: Kal Daniels
Why?
Because in 1987, Daniels was an integral part of my snail mail fantasy league baseball team.
Yes, he suffered a few injuries, but ended the year with with a .334 batting average, and 26 home runs in 430 at bats. Not a bad HR percentage before the tainted era.
Center: Eric "The Red" Davis
Why?
The guy had pop and speed—and no, I'm not talking blow (well, he had that too). He survived stomach cancer and can still be seen sitting on the Reds' bench occasionally.
I hold on to hope that they activate him to replace Taveras.
Right: Cesar Geronimo
Why?
Because we share the same birthday. Different years, but the same day. We also share it with Lawrence Welk, Johnny Knoxville, and Rupert Murdoch...just to name a few.
Secondly, has there ever been a cooler baseball name than Cesar Geronimo?
Starting pitcher: Tom Browning
Why?
Because you knew that when Brownie took the ball the official game time would be less or just a little over two hours. Plus, I got to hear Marty Brennaman call his perfect game.
He also had red curly hair that reminded me of a clown. And I like clowns.
Closer: John Franco
Why?
Not really anything besides seeing the guy pitch in person. Come to think of it, besides Eddie Grant and Cesar Geronimo, I saw every one of these guys play at the old Riverfront Stadium.
Nothing in baseball beats going to see your favorite team in person.
Maybe this list would be better titled the best Reds that I have seen live—but then I would have to remove Grant and Geronimo and they are on there for special reasons.
So the name shall remain. And folks, there you go—The Best Reds Ever!
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