HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

After finishing the 1938 season with a record of 82-68, the team seemed to finally be putting it together. To date the Reds franchise had only won two league pennants (1882 & 1919) and one World Series. The Reds only World Series title against the Chicago White Sox was forever tainted when eight White Sox players were involved in throwing some of the games. The scandal had left the Reds championship in question despite the fact that Cincinnati was an incredible team that year. But regardless, the championship will forever be tarnished. Cincinnati needed a new World Series title and the Reds were due.

During the off season, the Reds traded Dusty Cooke to the Cardinals for Frenchy Bordagaray. The club also traded Jimmy Outlaw to the Brooklyn Dodgers for Lew Krausse and purchased third baseman Billy Werber from the Philadelphia Athletics.

Returing to the starting line up was the entire staff from 1938 with the exception of newly aquired Billy Werber at third base. Ernie Lombardi would play catcher, Frank McCormick would play first base, Lonny Frey would play second base and Billy Myer would man short stop. The outfield consisted of Harry Craft, Ival Goodman & Wally Berger. McCormick had a stelar year finished first in the National League in hits (209) & RBI's (128), second in batting average (.332) & total bases (312), third in at bats (630) & fourth in doubles (41).

The pitching staff was looking fabulous with the return of Paul Derringer (25-7), Bucky Walters (27-11), Whitey Moore (13-12), Lee Grissom (9-7),Junior Thompson (13-5) and Johnny Vander Meer (5-9). Junior Thompason was also used in relief with Peaches Davis and 33 year old newcomer Hank Johnson. Johnson had pitched for the New York Yankees when they won three pennants (1926,27 & 28) and two World Series (1927 & 1928). Bucky Walters had an incredible year which won him National League MVP. Walters finished in the National League first in ERA (2.29), wins (27), hits allowed (7.05), innings pitcher (319.0), complete games (31), strike outs (137) and batters faced (1,283). Paul Derringer had a great year also. He finished second in the National League in wins (25), innings pitcher (301.0), complete games (28), batters faced (1,245) and shutouts (5). The Reds pitching staff as a whole finished first in the National League with a club ERA of 3.27.

The 1939 Reds baseball season began on April 17th with a loss to the Pirates. Despite the opening day loss, the Reds costed to a 6-2 start in April. Cincinnati kicked in gear during the month of May, remaining a game of two out of first place. Until the Reds went on a twelve game winning streak which began on May 16th against the Boston Bees (Braves) and ended on May 28th. The Reds were in a virtual tie for first place (for a week and a half) with the St Louis Cardinals until the Reds and Cardinals squared off on May 26th for a four game series. Cincinnati wnet on to take three oout of four from St Louis. First place is where the Reds would stay for the rest of the season.

During the course of the season, the Reds made broadcast history once again on August 26th during a double header at Ebbets field. The Reds and Dodgers would square off for the first televised major league game on TV.The first place Reds lost game one by a score of 6-2 but took game two from Brooklyn with a final score of 5-1.

Despite the Reds maintaining first place, the St Louis Cardinals were hot on their trail. At one point in the season, the Reds sat on top of the National League with a ten game lead over the Cardinals. But the Cardinals had sneaked up on Cincinnati. On September 26th the Reds were only 3 in a half games ahead of the Cardinals. Cincinnati had seven remaining games left and four of those seven where against the Cardinals. The Reds first two games were a double header and the Reds & Cardinals took one game each. The next day St Louis took the third game by a score of 0-4. Cincinnati needed to win the fourth game in the series to clinch the pennant. Despite pitcher Paul Derringer allowing 14 hits and a defense that committed three errors the Reds beat the Cardinals 5-3. The Reds were National League Champions for the first time since 1919. It would be the franchises third major league pennant and second World Series berth. The Reds finished with a record of 97-57 and were 4½ games ahead of the St Louis Cardinals.

Cincinnati would face the mighty Yankees who had won the last three World Series. The Yankees posted a stellar regular season record of 106-45 and the Bronx Bombers were not ready to relinquish their championship. The Reds would go on to lose the 1939 World Series 4 games to 0. Thus far, it has been the only World Series the Reds had been swept in.

During the off season, the Reds traded Les Scarsella to the Boston Bees (Braves) for pitcher Jim Turner. Traded pitcher Lee Grissom to the Yankees for pitcher Joe Beggs and selected Johnny Niggeling off of waivers from the St Louis Browns (Orioles).

The starting line up for 1940 had Ernie Lombardi behind the plate, Frank McCormick at first base, Lonny Frey at second base, Billy Werber at third base and Billy Myers at short stop. In the outfield, the Reds had Ival Goodman, Harry Craft and rookie newcomer Mike McCormick. Ernie Lombardi finished second in the National League in batting average (.319). While Frank McCormick finished first in the NL in at bats (618), hits (191), & doubles (44). And finished second in RBI's (127) & extra bases (66). McCormicks stellar play earned him the National League MVP award. Marking the third consecutive Reds play to win it. Lombardi won it in 1938 and Bucky Walters won it in 1939.

The pitching staff consisted of Paul Derringer (20-12), Bucky Walters (22-10), Junior Thompson (16-9), Whitey Moore (8-8) and newcomer Jim Turner (14-7). The relief pitchers were all newcomers, Joe Beggs, Milt Shoffner, Johnny Hutchinson, Elmer Riddle, Lefty Guise and Red Barrett. Johnny Vander Meer also was on the pitching staff but due to injuries he was limited during both championship seasons. Bucky Walters had a great year finishing first in the NL in ERA (2.48), wins (22), innings pitched (305.0), complete games (29) & batters faced (1,207). The Reds entire pitching staff finished first in the National League with an ERA of 3.41.

Cincinnati started the new season on April 16th against the Chicago Cubs with Paul Derringer on the mound. Cincinnati wins the match up with a final score of 2-1. This would be the Reds first opening day victory since they defeated the Cubs on April 12th 1932. Cincinnati coasted to a 7-3 start through out April. By May 15th, the Reds grabbed first place in the National League from the Brooklyn Dodgers. After a May 25th loss to the Cardinals, the Reds dipped back into second place behind the Dodgers. Cincinnati and Brooklyn battled back and forth for the coveted first place spot through out most of June & July. After the Reds went on a seven game winning streak beginning on July 20th, Cincinnati claimed first place in the National League for good. The Reds clinch their second league pennant in two years on September 18th and the franchises fourth in team history. Cincinnati finished the season 12 games ahead of the Brooklyn Dodgers with a record of 100-53, marking the first time the franchise won 100 games.

The American League pennant race came down to the wire between the Tigers & Indians. Cleveland had a hold of first place in the American League beginning on August 11th and last almost a month. It appeared as if the World Series was going to be an all Ohio series between the Reds & Indians. Until the Indians went on a six game losing streak beginning on September 1st and ending on the 8th. The streak put the Indians in second place behind the Tigers. Ironically the final series of the Indians would be against the Tigers. When the Indians squared off against the Tigers in their final three games, Cleveland was very much alive, only being two games out of first. The Tigers went on to officially clinch the pennant after a win over the Indians in the first game of the series on September 27th. Not eligible for the World Series now unruly Cleveland fans shower the field with fruit and vegetables. At one point, a basket of green tomatoes was dropped onto Tigers catcher (and future Reds manager) Birdie Tebbets' head while he sat in the bullpen.

The Reds would square off in the 1940 World Series against the Detroit Tigers who hadn't appeared in a World Series since 1935. After the less then adequate showing for the Reds in the 1939 World Series, Cincinnati would go on to beat the Detroit Tigers in seven games, giving Cincinnati its second World Series Championship. The series was won in Cincinnati and would be the last championship the Reds would win at home to date.

During the off season, the Reds made a lot of trades and transactions. The club traded short stop Billy Myers to the Cubs for Jimmy Gleason & Bobby Mattick. Traded third baseman Lew Riggs to the Dodgers for Pep Young. Sold Morrie Arnovich to the New York Giants. Purchased Tot Pressnell from the Cardinals and then sold him to the Cubs. And traded Don Lang to the Yankees for Monte Pearson.

The Reds starting line up for 1941 would have the entire line up return from the World Champion club. The exceptions would be short stop Eddie Joost & the newly acquired switch hitting outfielder Jim Gleason. Joost had played with the Reds since 1936 and appeared in 149 games. The returners were Ernie Lombardi behind the plate, Frank McCormick at first base, Lonny Frey at second base & Billy Werber at third base. In the outfield, the Reds had Harry Craft and Mike McCormick.

The pitching staff consisted of Paul Derringer (12-14), Bucky Walters (19-15), Junior Thompson (6-6), Elmer Riddle (19-4) and Johnny Vander Meer (16-13). Vander Meer unfortuantly had been hampered by injuries during the Reds two championship years. The bullpen had Joe Beggs, Whitey Moore & Jim Turner. Riddle had a solid year, he finished first in the NL in ERA (2.24). Riddle & Walters finished second in the NL wins, both notching 19. Walters also finished first in completed games (27). Vander Meer had a good comeback. The lefty finished first in the NL in strikeouts with 202 and had an ERA of 2.82. The Reds pitching staff finished in the National League second with a club ERA of 3.17.

The 1941 season obviously was looked upon with much excitement as the Reds were the cream of the National League in 1939 and 1940. No National League team had won three or more consecutive pennants since the New York Giants did it in 1921, 22, 23 & 24. The Reds were hoping to be the next team.

Cincinnati started the season on April 15th (the day after Pete Rose was born) against the St Louis Cardinals with Paul Derringer as opening day pitcher. The redbirds handed the defending World Champions a 7-3 loss. Cincinnati went on to lose the next three games. By May 1st the Reds were in fourth place with a record of 8-8. Cincinnati hit an eight game losing streak that started on May 11th and ended on May 17th. The defending World Champions were now in seventh place with a record of 10-17. The writing was on the wall that the Reds would not win the National League pennant. Cincinnati would not hit .500 until June 9th after a win over the Dodgers. Despite pulling out of the bottom of the league, the club was to far back to catch the Brooklyn Dodgers. Cincinnati finished the 1941 year in third place with a record of 88-66 placing them 12 games out of first.

The 1941 season turned out to be Ernie Lombardi's last in a Reds uniform. Reds general manager Warren Giles sold 33 year old Lombardi to the Boston Braves. Giles had aqcuired cather Rollie Hemsley from the Indians in December 1941 and felt he was the best of the two. Hemsley wound up only playing with the Reds   in 36 games before being traded mid season to the New York Yankees. Lombardi went on to have six more great years and won his second batting title in 1942 with the Braves. After his only season in Boston, Lombardi went on to play his final five years with the New York Giants. In later years Giles became an influencial memeber of the Veteran Committee for the Hall of Fame. And it was he who had much to do with keeping Lombardi out of Cooperstown. Lombardi eventualy got in, but not until nine years after his death.....pity.

During the off season the Reds also sold third baseman Billy Werber to the New York Giants. And purchases outfielder Gee Walker from the Cleveland Indians. Walker played seven seasons in Detroit, playing on two pennant winning teams (1934 & 35) and one World Series team (1935). Also new to the Reds organization was former Yankees pitcher and Hall of Famer Waite Hoyt. Hoyt was hired to do the Reds play by play on WKRC radio. Hoyt would broadcast Reds games until 1965.

The starting line up for the Reds was Ray Lamanno at catcher, Frank McCormick at first, Lonny Frey at second, Bert Haas at third & Eddie Joost at short stop. The outfield had Gee Walker, Eric Tipton & 28 year old rookie Max Marshall. Only three of the starters played for the championship team two years earlier. First baseman Frank McCormick, second baseman Lonnie Frey & short stop Eddie Joost. The club certainly had undergone some major changes over the past couple of years.

The pitching staff had the return of Johnny Vander Meer (18-12), Bucky Walters  (15-14), Paul Derringer (10-11) & Elmer Riddle (7-11). New to the starting rotation was 36 year old Ray Starr (15-13). Vander Meer finished first in the National Leafue in strike out (186).The bullpen consisted of Joe Beggs, Junior Thompson, Jim Turner & Whitey Moore. With newcomers Clyde Shoun & 19 year old rookie Ewell Blackwell. The pitching staff ranked second in the league in ERA (2.82).

The 1942 season started on April 14th against the Pirates with a 4-2 loss. Cincinnati started the season with a dismal record of 5-10. The Reds were already in seventh place. Cincinnati reached the .500 mark on May 10th with a record of 12-12. The Reds daudled around the .500 mark until June 14th where the club hit a six game winning streak that put the club at 34-27. The Reds were in third place within the league but were 9½ games out of first place. It turned out to be the closest the club would get for the rest of the season. Cincinnati played .500 ball all season and aptly finished the season with a record of 76-76. The club finished in fourth place 29 games behind the St Louis Cardinals.

With the outbreak of World War II, Reds players Ray Lamanno, Eddie Lukon, Clyde Vollmer, Eddie Shokes, Mike McCormick and Ewell Blackwell all left to serve in the military. One of Bill McKechnie's coaches (Hank Gowdy) also enlisted. He was 52 and served as a special services officer at Fort Benning. He also served in the military during World War I. Gowdy was the first major leager to enlist.

During the off season the Reds traded short stop Eddie Joost & Nate Andrews to the Boston Braves for Eddie Miller. Miller played with the Reds in his first two major league season (1936 & 1937). The Reds also sold former starting outfielder Ival Goodman and Reds pitching great Paul Derringer to the Cubs. Paul Derringer finished his career with the Reds with 161 wins in Cincinnati. His 161 wins ranks third on the Reds all time wins list behind Eppa Rixey (179) and Tony Mullane (163). Derringer's final season would be in 1945 where he helped lead the Cubs ( with a record of 16-11) to the National League pennant. The Cubs would lose the World Series to the Detroit Tigers and would be the last World Series appearance by the Chicago Cubs to date. Derringer faced off against the Tigers in the Fall Classic with the Reds in 1940.

The starting lineup for the 1943 Reds shaked out to be Frank McCormick at first base & Lonny Frey at second base. Newcomers were Ray Mueller behind the plate, Steve Mesner at third base and Eddie Miller at short stop. The outfield's Eric Tipton, Gee Wlaker & Max Marshall were all returning from the previous year.

The starting pitching consisted of Johnny Vander Meer (15-16) , Bucky Walters (15-15) , Elmer Riddle (21-11) , & Ray Starr (11-10). Vander Meer led the league again in strikes posting 174 K's. Riddle would finish in a three way tie with St Louis's Mort Cooper & the Pittsburgh Pirates Rip Sewell for first place in the NL in wins. In the bullpen was Clyde Shoun, Joe Beggs, Ed Heusser, Bob Malloy, Rocky Stone & Jack Niemes. 1943 would be Stone & Niemes only major league seasons.

Cincinnati kicked off the season on April 21st against the Cardinals. Vander Meer was the opening day pitcher and pitched a two hitter in a tight extra innings game. The Reds came away victorious by a final score of 1-0. The Reds would yet again play .500 ball through April and May. On June 1st the record was 18-18. But the club was only 5½ games behind the first place Dodgers. The Reds coasted through June and finished at months end with a record of 31-31. Cincinnati appeared to be producing another .500 season similar to the year prior. Cincinnati kicked in gear a bit in July winning 18 of the 32 games played during that month. By August 1st the Reds record was 49-45 placing the club in fourth place 12½ games behind the first place Cardinals. Cincinnati completely kicked it gear during August winning 21 of its 29 games. But the Cardinals were uncatchable at this point. Cincinnati was 12 games behind St Louis at the start of September. Despite hitting a ten game winning streak in late September, the best the Reds could finish was second. Cincinnati finished the season with a record of 87-67. Despite finishing in second place, the Reds were 18 games out of first place.

During the off season the Reds were hit pretty hard by military duty for World War II. Lonny Frey, Bert Haas, Hank Sauer, Frankie Kelleher, Junior Thompson, Jack Niemes, Dick West, Joe Beggs, Max Marshall, Bob Malloy & Johnny Vander Meer all left to fight in the war. The Reds (as with all of the teams) were looking at a lean line up. But the the Reds were hit hard with their pitching staff. The Reds thinning pitching staff needed help badly. Reds GM Warren Giles was prompted to acquire the fifteen year old Hamilton High School pitcher Joe Nuxhall. Nuxhall signed the ay after playing in a high school basketball game. He was to join the Reds once his school term ended.

The Reds weren't the only team to nab teenagers during the 1944 season. The Dodgers & Phillies each had sixteen years old on their teams, while the St Louis Browns (Orioles) had a one armed outfielder at one point. If blacks weren't banned from the major leagues, teams would not have had as bad of a problem stocking their rosters during the war years. And fifteen year old Joe Nuxhall would not have been on the Reds roster. Nuxhall pitched two thirds of an inning against the Cardinals and give up five runs on two hits & five walks before manager Bill McKechnie took him out. Nuxhall didn't make it back to the majors until 1952.

The Reds starting line up for the 1944 season would contain Ray Mueller behind the plate, Frank McCormick at first base, Eddie Miller at short stop & Steve Mesner at third base. The outfield has Eric Tipton & gee Walker returning. New to the line was second baseman Woody Williams & outfielder Dain Clay. McCormick was the lone position player from the 1940 World Series Champion team.

The starting pitching staff consisted of Bucky Walters (23-8), Ed Heusser (13-1) & Clyde Shoun. New comers were Tommy De La Cruz (9-9), Harry Gumbert (10-8), Arnold Carter (11-7) & Jim Konstanty (6-4). Despite the hit to the pitching staff, the Reds posted the second best ERA in the National League (2.97). Heusser & Walters led the league in ERA with 2.38 & 2.40.

The Reds began the season on April 18th against the Cubs.  Cincinnati lost the match up by a score of 3-0. But the club bounced back and won their next five games. Cincinnati started May with a record of 8-4 putting the club only 1½ games out of first place. After the Reds defeated the Cardinals on May 6th, the Reds nabbed first place only to lose it the next day after dropping two to the Cardinals. It would be the only time the club would be in first for the rest of the season. The Reds boucned around from second to third place most of the season. While the St Louis Cardinals ran away with first place. Cincinnati finished the season 16 games behind the St Louis Cardinals with an 89-65 record. The American League Champion St Louis Browns (Orioles) posted the exact same record. The difference was that the Browns were in the World Series and the Reds weren't.

The 1945 Reds starting line up saw the return of first baseman Frank McCormick, second baseman Woody Williams, third baseman Steve Mesner & short stop Eddie Miller. The outfield had Dain Clay & Eric Tipton. New to the club was catcher Al Lakeman & outfielder Al Libke. The starting pitching staff consisted of Ed Heusser, Bucky Walters, Joe Bowman, Vern Kennedy & Frank Dasso. In relief was Howie Fox, (46 year old) Hod Lisenbee & Mike Modak in his only major league season. Lisenbee hadn't appeared in a major league game since 1936.

Cincinnati started the season on April 17th against the Pirates with a win. After a rocky April, the Reds entered May with a record of 5-6. Cincinnati proceeded to go on a six game losing streak that left the club with a 7-11 record. The Reds finished the month of May in the same fashion. Going on another six game losing streak from May 20th to May 27th leaving the club with a dismal record of 10-18. However, the club answered the losing streak by going on a nine game tear from May 28th to June 5th. The winning streak improved the Reds record to 19-18. Putting Cincinnati over .500 for the first time since April 28th. The streak put the Reds within 6 games of the league leading Giants. The Reds shortly there after began to sink in the stands for good and finished the season in seveth place with a record of 61-93. The Reds would finish a distant 37 games behind the National League Champion Chicago Cubs. All season, the Reds only won one game (out of 22) against the Cubs.

During the off season Cincinnati also purchased Claude Corbitt from the Brooklyn Dodgers. Traded Jim Konstantly to the Boston Braves for Max West. Sold Mike McCormick to the Bostons Braves. And signed Wally Post & Ted Kluszewski as amatuar free agents. The Reds tarining camp was in Bloomington Indiana and the club discovered Kluszewski at the University of Indiana . Kluszewski played for the Hoosiers baseball team.

The off season also saw the Reds sell 34 year old Frank McCormick to the Philadelphia Phillies. Frank McCormick eventually wound up playing for the Boston Braves in 1948 with his former Reds teammate Mike McCormick. It turned out to be Franks last season. However, the Boston Braves won the National League pennant that same year. The Braves went on to lose the World Series to the Cleveland Indians who's bench coach was none other then Bill McKechnie. McKechnie wasn't manager of the Indians but he has been credited as unofficially co-managing the team with Lou Boudreau.

The starting line up for the Reds was Ray Mueller behind the plate, Bert Haas at first base & at short stop Eddie Miller. In the outfield was Dain Clay & Al Libke. New to the starting line up was outfielder Eddie Lukon and rookies Bobby Adams, & Graddy Hatton at second and third. The pitching staff had Johnny Vander Meer, Ewell Blackwell, Joe Beggs, Bucky Walters & Ed Heusser. Pitching in relief was Bob Mallory, Clyde Shoun, Johnny Hetki & Harry Humbert.

Cincinnati started the season with four straight loses. The Reds rebounded and won five of their next eight games. On May 15th the Reds pulled managed to pull within 2 games of first place. However the club could not manage to pull any closer. After a string of winning a game then losing a game, the club sunk in the standings. By June 6th the Reds were 19-19. The club continued to win a game then lose a game which cased the club not to gain any ground. With the Reds weak offense the club managed to play .500 baseball for most of the early part of the season.

After the Reds suffered a nine game losing starting on August 4th and ending on August 15th, Cincinnati was left for dead despite still being in fifth place. On September 22nd the Reds were dealt another crushing blow. Cincinnati's Hall of Fame manager Bill McKechnie resigned as Reds skipper. He managed his last game with the Reds and in the major leagues on September 26th against the Cardinals. McKechnie at that point had been the Reds most successful manager and would remain that way until Sparky Anderson. Both McKechnie & Anderson are the most succesful managers to date.The Reds however finished the 1946 season with a record of 67-87. The club finished 30 games behind the National League Champion St Louis Cardinals.

During the off season Cincinnati traded pitcher Ed Heusser to the Dodgers for Augie Galan. Sold Lonnie Frey to the Cubs and signed Joe Adcock & Roy McMillan as amatuer free agents. The Reds also drafted Earl Harrist from the White Sox and Virgil Stallcup from the Reds Sox in the 1946 rule V draft.

The Reds hired unknown minor league manager Johnny Neun as the Reds new manager. Neun managed for years in the New York Yankees farm system. He managed 14 games as interem manager of the Yankees in 1946 posting an 8-6 record.

Neun's starting line up consisted of Ray Lamanno behind the plate, Grady Hatton at third base, Eddie Miller at short stop & Bert Haas in the outfield. New to the starting line up was Babe Yound at first base, Benny Zientara at second base, Augie Galan & 28 year old rookie Frank Baumholtz in the outfield. Baumholtz played the 1946 season in the NBA with the Cleveland Rebels scoring 631 points in his only NBA season.

On the pitchers mound was Ewell Blackwell, Bucky Walters, Johnny Vander Meer & Ken Raffensberger. Blackwell finished first in the National League in wins (22), complete games (23) &  stirke outs (193). He also finished second in the NL in ERA (2.47). The Reds bullpen was Harry Gumbert, John Hetki, Eddie Erautt, Buddy Lively & Kent Peterson.

The Reds started the season on April 15th with a win over the 1946 World Champion St Louis Cardinals. On April 18th future Reds great Ted Kluszewski made his major league debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates as a pinch hitter. Klu only played in nine games for the Reds in 1947. By April 29th the Reds record was 7-7, this would be the last time the club would be at the .500 mark until July 4th. Cincinnati daudled around .500 until a six game losing which began on July 20th. The Reds wouldn't be above .500 for the rest of the season. Cincinnati finished the year in fifth place with a record of 73-81. The club was 21 games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgers second baseman was Jackie Robinson. Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947 and became the first black player to play in the major leagues since brothers Fleet & Welday Walker played for the Toledo Blue Stockings in the defunct American Association in 1884.

During the off season, Cincinnati drafted Ferrel Anderson from the Brooklyn Dodgers and Ken Holcombe from the Pacific Coast League's Sacramento team in the rule V draft. Cincinnati also sold Elmer Riddle to the Pirates. Signed Bob Nieman as an amatuer free agent. And traded Bert Haas & Eddie Miller to the Phillies for Tommy Hughes & Johnny Wyrostek.

Returning to the Reds starting line up for 1948 was Ray Lamanno behind the plate, Bobby Adams at second, Grady Hatton at third & Frank Baumholtz in the outfield. New to the starting line up was Virgil Stallcup at short stop, Grady Hatton & Johnny Wyrostek in the outfield. Also new to the starting line up was first baseman Theodore Bernard Kluszewski. Cincinnati's starting pitching staff had the return of Johnny Vander Meer, Howie Fox, Ken Raffensberger, Ewell Blackwell & newcomer Herm Wehmeir. Pitching in relief was Harry Gumbert & Kent Peterson with new comers Walter Cress, Jim Blackburn & Ken Burkhart. The Reds pitching staff finished dead last in the National League with an ERA of 4.47.

Cincinnati opened the new season on April 19th with a win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds went on to play .500 ball throught the first month of the season, finished with a record of 6-6. It would be the best month the club would have for the entire season. And it would be last time the club would be at the .500 mark. The Reds hit an eight game losing streak beginning on May 7th and ended on May 14th. After the streak had ended, the club found themselves in dead last in the National League. Cincinnati bounced around the cellar for most of the season and by August 1st, the Reds were 14 games out of first place. The horrible season lead to the dismissal of manager Johnny Neun who was replaced by Reds pitching great Bucky Walters. Walters actually was still on the Reds pitching staff at the start of the season. In the 53 games that Walters managed, the Reds only won 20. Cincinnati finished the season with a final record of 64-89, placing the club in seventh place 27 games behind the Boston Braves. Cincinnati avoided tying the Cubs for dead last by a half of a game.

During the off season the Reds drafted (in the Rule V draft) Dixie Howell from the San Fransico Seals of the Pacific Coast League and Johnny Pramesa of the New York Giants. Signed Hobbie Landrith as an amatuer free agent and picked up Johnny Temple from Morganton West Carolina.

Bucky Walters was brought back to manage the Reds for the 1949 season. Returning to his starting line up was Ted Kluszewski at first base, Grady Hatton at third base and Johnny Wyrostek in the outfield. New to the line up was veteran Walter Cooper behind the plate (who won two championships in 1942 & 44 with St Louis), Jimmy Bloodworth at second base and Lloyd Merriman & Danny Litwhiler in the outfield.

The starting pitching staff had the return of Ken Raffensberger, Howie Fox, Herm Weimer & Johnny Vander Meer. In the Reds bullpen was Harry Gumbert, Ewell Blackwell, Eddie Erautt & Frank Fanovich. Raffensberger was the Reds pitching ace for 1949. He led the team in almost every catagory. For Johnny Vander Meer, the 1949 season turned out to be his last. Vander Meer spent eleven season with the Reds and would be the last active player to leave the team from the 1939 & 1940 Reds team. And unfortunatly for Vander Meer, he was injuried during those two years which limiting him.

The Reds kicked off the season by downing the Cardinals in their first two games. The Reds entered May with a record of 6-4 with the club in first place. Cincinnati went on to drop four games and pulled the team into sixth place. The Reds were able to bounce back and pull within one game of first place on May 18th. Cincinnati held within one game when entering June but proceeded to go on a five game losing streak that found the club in fourth place with a record of 20-21. The month of June proved to be the the nail in the teams coffin. Cincinnati went on another losing streak that last seven games. The Reds only won seven of the twenty six games played in June. By July 1st, Cincinnati was 12 games out of first place and still sinking. By late September Warren Giles released Bucky Walters as Reds manager and replaced him with Luke Sewell. Sewell managed the St Louis Browns (Orioles) from 1941 to 1946. His 1944 club won the franchises only league pennant while the team resided in St Louis. The Reds finished the year in seventh place with a record of 62-92. The club finished thirty five games behind the Brooklyn Dodgers.