NEW CENTURY, NEW HOPES

After the 1899 season, the National League decided to contract some of its clubs. The Cleveland Spiders, Louisville Colonels (who actually merged with Pittsburgh), Washington Senators and surprisingly the three time pennant winning Baltimore Orioles. With the subtraction of four teams, it would leave an eight club circuit again that would remain unchanged until the Boston Braves relocated to Milwaukee in 1953. With the change of in the National League, also brought the dawn of a new century. Unfortunately the next 19 years for the Reds would not bring much to reflect on.

The start of the century saw the retirement of the Reds second baseman and beloved player Bid McPhee. Ending an 18 year career equaled in the 19th century only by Cap Anson and McPhee's manager Buck Ewing. Bid McPhee's lifetime record of 6,545 putouts is still untopped.

Bid McPhee's replacement at second base would be 35 year old Joe Quinn. Quinn's resume was quite impressive. He played on four pennant winning teams in three different major leagues. His rookie year (1884) he played for the St Louis Maroons of the defunct Union Association. The Maroons won the leagues only pennant. In 1890 he went on to play for the Boston Reds of the defunct Players League. The Boston Reds won the leagues only pennant. And he then played for the National Leagues Boston Beaneaters (Braves) for 1891 & 1892. Boston won the pennant both years he was there Not a bad bit of success. But with all of the successful teams he played for, he also played for the 1899 Cleveland Spiders. The Spiders are officially the worse team in major league baseball history with a record of 20-134.

The rest of the 1900 Reds starting line up consisted of first baseman Jake Beckley. Who's batting average was a stellar .341 and slugging percentage was .434. Beckley had 190 hits, 94 RBI's & 26 doubles for the year. Tommy Corcoran was at shortstop again with a batting average of .245. Bellevue Kentucky native Harry Steinfeldt was at third base who's a batting average was .245 and drove in 66 runs. The outfield had Jimmy Barrett who's batting average was .316 with an on base percentage of .400 with 72 base on balls. Algie McBride (.275) and Sam Crawford (.260). Behind the plate was Heine Peitz (.255).

The pitching staff saw the return of lefty Noodles Hahn who's record was 16-20 on the year. And Ed Scott who's record was 17-20. Despite a weak offensive team, it is a minor miracle that both managed to win 16 & 17 games. The Reds finished seventh in the National League in batting average, on base average, slugging percentage and runs scored. The pitching staff was rounded out with Bill Phillips (9-11) and lefties Doc Newton (9-15) & Ted Breitenstein (10-10).

Field manager Buck Ewing would not return and was replaced by Bob Allen. Buck Ewing and Sparky Anderson are the only Reds managers to have five consecutive winning seasons. Ewings replacement Bob Allen was a former shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Beaneaters (Braves) . His only managing experience was in 1890 with the Philadelphia Phillies. His addition was not much to boast about. The Reds started the new century losing to the Chicago Cubs 13-10. But surprisingly they started the season off 9-5, only to go down hill during a seven game losing streak from May 8th to May 17th.

Shortly there after, the Reds ballpark League Park caught on fire. The tragedy forced the Reds to play 10 of their home games on the road in Chicago and St Louis. The fire also destroyed the players equipment. When they played the Boston Beaneaters (Braves) two days after the fire, the Reds had to play in the Boston's away uniforms. Cincinnati wouldn't see new uniforms until June 2nd. And wouldn't play a home game until June 28th. League Park grounds crew were unable to grow grass for the games. So they had to play on an all-dirt infield. I believe this was the only time in Major League Baseball history, to see an all dirt infield.

On July 5th shortly after the Reds returned to League Park, the Dodgers pitcher Jerry Nops hurls a one-hitter, beating the Reds 2–0. The following day teammate Frank Kitson also pitches a one-hitter, beating the Reds 10–0. This is the first instance of back-to-back one-hitters in the 20th century. The last time such a thing happened was on June 17-18 in 1884.

Cincinnati for the season was never really in any contention and when the season concluded, the Reds finished with a record of 62-77. Placing them in 7th place, 36 in a half games behind the two time league champions Brooklyn Superba's (Dodgers).

The real failure of the 1900 baseball season was the trading of 20 year old Christy Mathewson to the New York Giants for pitching great Amos Rusie. Amos had eight straight 20 game seasons for the New York Giants. The trade seemed at the time, as if it was a steal for the Reds. But it turned out to be one of many horrible trades that the franchise will do over the years.  Rusie only played in three games for the Reds. While Mathewson went on to be a hall of famer. Cincinnati wouldn't see Christy Mathewson in a Reds uniform until 1916 when he returned as Reds manager.

On January 28, 1901, owners of a minor league circuit called the Western League met in Chicago's Grand Pacific Hotel and announced it would challenge the National League and begin 1901 as a major league. The league would be renamed the American League and would field eight teams. The Chicago White Stockings (White Sox), Cleveland Blues (Indians), Milwaukee Brewers (Orioles),Boston Somersets (Red Sox), Baltimore Orioles (Yankees), Washington Senetors (Twins), Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Athletics. The American League would be the fifth major league (and the fourth) to challenge the National League. The previous major leagues were the National Association (1871 - 1875) , the American Association (1882 - 1891), the Union Association (1884) and the Players League (1890).

The 1901 season was manager Bob Allen fired after only one season. He would be replaced by Reds great and Hall of Famer Bid McPhee. Although the Reds didn't give McPhee much to work with. The 1901 starting line up would have quite a few adjustments from the 1900 line up. Returning to the starting line up was first baseman Jake Beckley,   who's stats dipped a bit in 1901. Again at second base was Harry Steinfeldt who's batting average was .249. And in his third year future Hall of Famer Sam Crawford. He had a great year batting .330 with an on base percentage of .378 and a slugging percentage of .524. He slugging in 104 RBI's and hit 16 home runs with 170 hits. New in the line up was shortstop George Magoon (.252), at third base was Charlie Irwin (.238). Behind the plate had Bill Bergen with Dick Harly (.273) and John Dobbs (.274) in the outfield.

Bid McPhee's main pitchers were Noodles Hahn with a record of 22-19 and an ERA of 2.71. Bill Phillips with a record of 14-18, Archie Stimmel who went 4-14 and Doc Newton who went 4-13.

The Reds opening day was on April 20th versus the mighty Pittsburgh Pirates. Reds pitching ace Noodles Hahn would be the Opening Day pitcher. Unfortunatly with little help from the offense, Pittsburgh handed Cincinnati the first loss of the season with a final score of 4-2. The Pirates opening day pitcher was Sam Leever. Leever would manage the Covington Blue Sox of the Federal Leagie in 1913.

Despite the Opening Day loss. Cincinnati came back and went on a four game winning streak. Putting the club in first place for a short period of time. Cincinnati was in first or second place throughout the month of May. Most of the time in first place. On May 22 at League Park,  Noodles Hahn strikes out 16 Boston batters en route to a 4-3 Reds win. The 16 strike outs will stand as the club record until it is matched by Jim Maloney in 1963. The day after the victory, Cincinnati would slip out of first place, not reclaiming it until June 8th against the Giants. Noodles Hahn would get the win, Christy Mathewson would get the loss. Cincinnati would lose first place the following day to the Giants due to a forfiet. It would be the last time they would be in first place the rest of the season.

Despite having three Hall of Famers on the 1901 team (Beckley, Crawford & McPhee), the Reds pitching staff was horribly weak. The exception being Hahn. As a result, the Reds finished dead last in the National League. And would finish the year with a record of 52-87. Placing them 38 games behind the pennant winning Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 1902 season saw the return of manager Bid McPhee. And the Reds brought back outfielder deaf-mute Dummy Hoy. Hoy played the previous season with the Chicago White Sox of the new American League. The White Sox won the league's first pennant and would serve as Hoy's only championship team. The 1902 season would turn out to be his last year. He batted a solid .290 in 72 games.

The rest of the starting line up consisted of Jake Beckley would return and (as always) have a great year. He batted .330 with an a slugging percentage of .427. Beckley had 175 hits on the season with 23 doubles. Second baseman Heinie Peitz batted .315, shortstop Tommy Corcoran batted .253, third baseman Harry Steindfeldt .278 and Sam Crawford  would bat .333 with an on base percentage of .386, a slugging percentage of .461. and he would lead the league in triples (23). John Dobbs would round out the outfield. And behind the plate would be Bill Bergen who batted a lowly .180.

The pitching staff would see the return of ace Noodles Hahn who's record was 23-12. And Bill Phillips who's record was 16-16. With newcomers, Ed Poole (12-4), Henry Thielman (9-15) and 29 year old Bob Ewing in his major league debut. Ewing went 5-6 in his rookie year.

Cincinnati also saw the opening of a new ballpark. The ballpark was built on top of the site where League Park sat. The new park is known to historians as the Palace of the Fans. But in its time, Reds fans simply referred to it as League Park III.

The Reds started the season facing the Chicago Orphans (Cubs) in a four game series. It would be the inaugural series in Palace Of the Fans. On April 17th (Opening Day) Cincinnati proceeded to loss 6-1 and went on to lose two more games against the Chicago. By May 7th, The Reds were 4-12 and already 10 games out of first place. The Reds continued to lose and as a result of the poor start, manager Bid McPhee chose to step down as Reds manager on July 11. He felt it was in the best interest of the club. He left the 1902 team with a 27-37 record. McPhee would continue to work in the Reds organization as a scout.

McPhee's interem replacement was Frank Bancroft. Bancroft was a drummer boy during the Civil War and the Reds business manager for 30 plus years. He did have a little bit of success as a baseball manager in the 1880's. His Providence Grays team won a National League Pennant in 1884 and the 1884 World Series. His Grays beat the New York Metropolitans of the American Association 3 games to 0. Other then his Grays team, he never managed a club higher then 4th place.

After 15 games Bancroft would be replaced by Joe Kelly, who would be a player/manager. Kelly came over from the Baltimore Orioles of the American League. He had a great career playing with the National League Baltimore Orioles in the 1890's. The NL Orioles won three straight pennants in 1894, 95 & 96. He also was on the pennant winning Boston Beaneaters (Braves) team in 1891.

The Reds would finished the 1902 season with a record of 70-70. Placing them in 4th place, 33 in-a-half games behind the two time league champions Pittsburgh Pirates. Shortly before the season concluded, Reds owner John T Brush would sell the Reds to Julius & Max Fleischmann, George B. Cox and August "Garry" Herrmann. Brush was paid $150,000. for the Cincinnati club. He would then by the New York Giants from Andrew Freedman.

During the off season, leaders of the National League and American League would meet in Cincinnati to sign a peace treaty between the circuits. Just as long as the AL would stay out of the Pittsburgh market. This treaty would be called the "Cincinnati Peace Treaty". So it was decided that at seasons end, the winner of the National League pennant would square off against the winner of the American League pennant. Calling the series the "World Series". This concept was taking from the 1880's, when the N.L. pennant winner would play the American Association pennant winner. The original proposal was to merge the NL and the AL into a twelve team circuit. Similar to the National League and the American Association in 1892. But the American League rejected the idea.

As a result of the peace within the two leagues. Cincinnati would lose Sam Crawford to the Detroit Tigers. Crawford signed for 1903 by both Detroit and Cincinnati. After a hotly contested case the Tigers are awarded the future Hall of Famer, having signed with them first. He will lead the AL in triples with 25 in 1903.

The 1903 Cincinnati Reds starting line up would be Jake Beckley at first base (and in his last year with the Reds), Tommy Corcoran at shortstop, Harry Steinfeldt at third base, Heine Pietz behind the plate. Newcomers to the line were Tom Daly at second base, Cy Seymour, Mike Donlin & Cozy Dolan in the outfield.

The pitching staff would be Noodles Hahn (22-12), Bob Ewing (14-13), Ed Poole (7-13), Bill Phillips (7-6), Jack Sutthoff (16-9) and newcomer Jack Harper (7-6).

Cincinnati opened the season with a loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. And went on to lose 3 more starting the season 0-4. But bounced back with a six game winning streek starting on May 1st and ending May 8th.  By the end of May Cincinnati was sinking in the standings. The team really wasn't in contention but put out a very good effort. The club lead the league in batting average (.288) and finished second in On Base Average ( .346), Slugging Average (.390), Home Runs (28) and Runs Scored (765). Despite the solid offensive effort, it wouldn't be enough to win the league championship. The Reds season record was 74-65, finishing in 4th place, 16 1/2 games behind the three time league champions Pittsburgh Pirates.

On February 1st 1904 Cincinnati sold future Hall of Famer Jake Beckley to the St Louis Cardinals? Beckley was replaced at first base by Reds manager Joe Kelley. Kelley's batting average was .281 with 63 RBI.s for 1904. While Beckley hit .325 with 67 RBI's for the Cardinals. Second base was manned by Cincinnati native (and rookie) Miller Huggins, who had a modest batting average of .263. At shortstop Tommy Corcoran would return for his seventh season in a Reds uniform. He batted .230 with 74 RBI'S. The outfield consisted of Cy Seymour (.313), Cozy Dolan (.284) and rookie Fred Odwell (.284). Behind the plate Heinie Peitz would be replaced by rookie Admiral Schlei (.237).

The pitching staff had the return of Jack Harper who's record was 23-9 with an ERA of 2.30. Noodles Hahn who's record was 16-18. Bob Ewing (11-13) & Jack Sutthoff (5-6). Newcomers to the staff were Tom Walker (15-8) and lefty Win Kellum (15-10).

The 1904 season saw the Reds improve on the field. Early in the season, the club stayed no more then 2 in-a-half games out of first place. And on May 20th after a Reds victory over the Phillies, Cincinnati nabbed first place. Cincinnati held the lead for a week by going on a five game winning streak. But after a loss to the Pirates on May 27th, Cincinnati fell behind the Chicago Cubs for first. The Reds never recaptured first place and after staying within two games of first place well into June, the Reds collapsed. While the New York Giants took off. Between June 16th and July 4th, the Giants won eighteen straight games. Leaving the Reds and everyone else in the National League behind. Cincinnati finished the 1904 season with a good record of 88-65, but was a distant 18 games behind the New York Giants.

Joe Kelley would return as Reds player/manager. He played first base the previous year, but decided to shift himself into the outfield for 1905. His replacement at first base would be Shad Berry who wa aqcuired from the Chicago Cubs. Berry would batting average was .325 with a slugging percentgae was .401. Aside from Shad Berry, the starting line up would be the same as the previous year. With Miller Huggins at second base, Tommy Corcoran at shortstop, Harry Steinfeldt at third base, Admiral Scheil behind the plate, and joining manager Joe Kelley in the outfield would be Fred Odwell and Cy Seymour.

At 32 years of age Seymour would have an incredible year. His batting average of for the season was .377, which is still the franchise record to date. Seymour had 219 hits, 40 doubles, 21 singles, 8 home runs & 51 base on balls. His slugging percentage was a whoopping .559 with an on base percentage of .429. He missed winning the triple crown by one home run.

Cincinnati's pitching staff would be rookies Orval Overall (18-23) & Charlie Chech (14-14). With the return of Jack Harper (9-13), Rip VoWinkle (3-3), Ollie Johns (1-0) , Ernie Baker, Tom Walker (9-7), Bob Ewing (20-11) and Reds ace Noodles Hahn (5-3).

The 1905 baseball season would be Hahns last in a Reds uniform. At the age of 26 after six seasons pitching an averaging 317 innings, his arm gave out. He showed up the following year with the New York Highlanders (Yankees), but retired after the 1906 season. Frank "Noodles" Hahn won more then 20 games in 1899 (23-8), 1901 (22-19), 1902 (23-12) & 1903 (22-12) and led the team five consecutive season in ERA. Hahn never ceased his love of baseball. He would frequent Crosley Field well into his sixties. And suit up and work out with the Reds as late as 1947.

On April 14th Cincinnati would kick off the season with a 9-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds season itself was nothing more then an average year. Cincinnati would win a couple of games and lose a couple of games pretty much all season. The club was really never in any contention what so ever. By June 1st the Reds were barely at .500,  trailing the New York Giants by 11 1/2 games. WHile mid June saw the Reds pull within 6½ games, that would be the closest they would get the rest of the season.  Cincinati would continue to fade, New York was just unstoppable. By seasons end, the Reds were 79-74 on the season, putting them 26½ games behind the pennant winning New York Giants.

For 1906 Joe Kelley would be replaced by managerial great Ned Hanlon. Although Kelley would remain wit the Reds as a player only. Kelleys replacement, Ned Hanlon won five league championships in his 18 years. Winning three league National League Championships in 1894, 1895 & 1896 with the Baltimore Orioles. And two more in 1899 & 1900 with the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers). The Reds organization hoped that he could bring his Midas touch to the Queen City. But in order for success, your team needs players. And Hanlon simply did not have that with the Reds.

Cincinnati's starting line up had many return players from 1905. Miller Huggins at second base, Tommy Corcoran at shortstop with Joe Kelley and Cy Seymour in the outfield. Newcomers to the starting line up were first baseman Snake Deal with Jim Delahanty at third base. Delahanty would replace long time third base man Harry Steinfeldt. Steinfeldt was traded to the Chicago Cubs earlier in the year for Hans Lobert and left handed pitcher Jake Weimer. Steinfeldt got the better end of the deal. While playing for the Cubs, he was on four pennant winning team in 1906, 07, 08 & 10. And two World Series Championship teams in 1907 and 1908. The Cubs haven't won a World Series since.

The pitching staff for 1906 saw a lot of change. Fresh from the Cubs was Jake Weimer with a record of 20-14. Bob Ewing would return and post a record of 13-14. New comers Chich Frazier (10-20), Bob Wicker (6-11), Charley Hall (4-8) and Orval Overall (4-5).

On April 12th, Cincinnati starts the season by dropping their first two games against the Harry Steinfeldt's Chicago Cubs. Starting on APril 20th the Reds proceeded to go on a five game losing streak. By May 4th Cincinnati would be 10 games out of first place. By June 16th the Reds were 18 games behind the Cubs. A month later they would be 23 games out of first. And by seasons end, Cincinnati would be a distant 51 games out of first place. Ending the season in sixth place with a record of 66-87.

The Reds finished 4th, 5th or 6th in most league categories. The highest mark for the club was Home Runs. The Reds finished 3rd with 16. And at season's end, the Reds record was 64-87, and finished in 6th place. 51.5 games behind the Chicago Cubs.

The National League Champions for 1906 were the Chicago Cubs, who won a record of 116 wins with 36 loses. The Cubs record would stand until 2001 win the Mariners won 116 games with 46 loses on the season. The Cubs had a winning percentage of .763. While the Mariners winning percentage was .716. Although neither the Cubs or the Mariners hold the record for the highest winning percentage in Major League Baseball. That feat belongs to the St Louis Maroons of the extincted Union Association in 1884. The Maroons hold the major league record with a winning percentage of .832. And a season record of 94-19.

Cincinnati's staring line up for 1907 would be almost revamped. Only two position players would return. Second baseman Miller Huggins who batted .248. And outfielder Fred Odwell who batted .270. Everyone else were new. The newcomers were John Ganzel who played first base and led the team in RBI's with 64. Outfielder's Mike Mitchell and Art Kruge. With catcher Larry McLean. Hans Lobert would play shortstop and Mike Mowery at third base. Hans & Mike were actually with the Reds the previous year, but were just not starters.

The pitching staff also had newcomers. Andy Coakley who's record was 17-16. Lefty Roy Hitt who's record was 6-10 and Del Mason who's record was 5-12. Returning to the line up was Bob Ewing and Jake Weimer.

The 1907 Cincinnati Reds didn't provide many memorable players. The only recognizable name was Hall of Famer Miller Huggins. But Huggins was only an average player. His Hall of Fame stature came about in his managing days with the Yankees, not his playing days.Allot of the players didn't last very long in the major leagues. Some only played one year. Del Mason played only three years. Art Kruge played four years, two of those years were played in the Federal League. Fred Odwell only played four years. And Roy Hitt only played one year. Not a great cast of remarkable players.

Althought the Reds did start the season in first place and maintained the lead for four whole days. On April 11th (Opening Day), Cincinnati beat the Pirates 4-3 in a one game "series". On April 15th (four days later), the Reds would host a bizaar five game series against the Cardinals. Cincinnati won game 1 and 3, while St Louis took games 2, 4 & 5. As a result, the Reds lost first place for good. And when the five game series was over, Cincinnati was 2½ games behind the Cubs. Cinainnati wnet on to lose their next nine out of ten games. By May 2nd, Cincinnati was 7½ games behind the Cubs and sinking. The season was more or less over. By seasons end, the Reds were 42½ games behind the Chicago Cubs. Finishing the season with a record of 66-87, placing them in sixth place in the National League........Again.

The 1908 season saw Hall of Fame manager Ned Hanlon retire. His replacement would be Reds first baseman John Ganzel who would be a player/manager. Miller Huggins would return to second base. Hans Lobert would return to third base. Mike Mitchell would return in the outfield. Admiral Schlei would return to the starting position at catcher. He started in the position in 1906 but not in 1907. Newcomer to the Reds was Rudy Hulswitt at shortstop. And newcomers in the starting line up were Dode Paskert & John Kane in the outfield.

The pitching staff saw the return of Bob Ewing with a record of 17-15. Andy Coakley with a record of 8-18 and Jake Weimer with a record of 8-7. Newcomers to the starting line up were Bob Spade with a record of 17-12. And lefty Billy Campbell with a record of 12-13.

Cincinnati opened the season on April 14th with three straight losses over the World Champion Chicago Cubs. Cincinnati got off to a shaky start, not claiming a record of .500 until May 18th. Cincinnati would pound Christy Mathewson for fifteen hits and nine runs in seven innings to win 9-5. Handing Matthewson his third loss in a week. The win put Cincinnati at 12-12 on the season. The Reds creeped closer to the first place Cubs. Only being four games out. Cincinnati hung in there and stayed close to first place for the rest of May and early June. On June 4th Cincinnati began a six game winning streak that put the Reds one game behind the Cubs on June 10th. It would be the closest the team would get the rest of the year.The Reds proceeded to go on a five game losing streak on June 11th. The club sunk from that point on. The Giants, Pirates and Cubs would battle the rest of the way for the league pennant. Chichago would win it by one game over the (tied) Giants and Pirates.

The Reds finished the season with a 73-81 record. 26 games behind the three time league champions & repeat World Champions Chicago Cubs. In the National League, the club finished seventh in Home Runs and sixth in Batting, On Base, Slugging Percentage, Runs Scored & Runs Allowed.

John Ganzel's stint as a Reds manager would end after one short season. And he would be replaced with Clark Griffith. Griffith's previous manager gigs were with the Chicago White Sox and the New York Highlanders (Yankees). His 1901 White Sox won the first American League pennant. And his 1904 New York Highlanders (Yankees) club finished second.

Cincinnati starting line up was shaken up a bit. First baseman Dick Hoblitzel would replace Jonh Ganzel. Hoblitzel would have a pretty impressive year. His batting average would be .308. He had 159 hits with 23 doubles and 11 triples. He nabbed 17 stolen bases and was walked 44 times. On second base was Dick Egan who racked up 39 stolen bases and and 53 RBI's. Shortstop had rookie Tom Downey. Hans Lobert would return at third base. And Larry McLean would win back the catcher duties. The outfield had the return of Mike Mitchell and he was joined by newcomers Bob Bescher & Rebel Oakes.

The pitching staff had new comer Art Fromme who's record was 19-13 and an ERA of 1.90.  Jack Rowan & Bob Ewing who's records were 11-12.  And rookie sensation Harry Gaspar, who's record of 19-11 with an ERA of 2.01. The bullpen had lefty Billy Campbell & Jean Dubuc. Even manager Clarke Griffith pitched in a game. Earning himself a loss on the season.

The 1909 season got off to a good start. Cincinnati was in first place for much of the first month. But after a four game losing streak which began on April 25th, the Reds lost the lead. CIncinnati would continue to stay within 3 games of the first place Pirates through out May. But began to sink in the standings come June. By July 4th, Cincinnati was 11 games out of first place. Cincinnati would not challenge for the pennant for the rest of the year. Pittsburgh would run away with the National League Pennant with a record of 110-42. Chicago was 6 games out of first place with a tremendous record of 104-49.

Cincinnati on the other hand finished with a record of 77-76. Placing them in fourth place in the National League and 33½ games behind the Pirates. Cincinnati's league averages would increase a tad. The club finishing 3rd in Batting & Slugging Average & Home Runs. The club finished 1st in stolen bases & double plays.