The Cincinnati Reds are one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises, with a history stretching back to the 19th century.
Despite their rich tradition, the Reds have consistently struggled to produce or retain elite starting pitchers over their history.
This difficulty is highlighted by their all-time wins leader, Eppa Rixey, whose career total of 179 victories for the Reds pales in comparison to the all-time leaders of other original franchises.
Franchise Leaders in Wins
To put the Reds’ pitching history in perspective, let’s compare their all-time wins leader with those of the other 16 original MLB franchises (from 1901 onward):
- Twins (Senators): Walter Johnson (417 wins)
- Giants: Christy Mathewson (372 wins)
- Braves: Warren Spahn (356 wins)
- A’s: Eddie Plank (284 wins)
- Orioles (Browns): Jim Palmer (268 wins)
- Guardians (Indians): Bob Feller (266 wins)
- White Sox: Ted Lyons (260 wins)
- Cardinals: Bob Gibson (251 wins)
- Yankees: Whitey Ford (236 wins)
- Phillies: Robin Roberts (234 wins)
- Dodgers: Don Sutton (233 wins)
- Tigers: Hooks Dauss (223 wins)
- Pirates: Wilbur Cooper (202 wins)
- Cubs: Charlie Root (201 wins)
- Red Sox: Roger Clemens (192 wins)
- Reds: Eppa Rixey (179 wins)
Eppa Rixey’s 179 victories stand out as the lowest total among these original 16 MLB teams in what most consider the modern era. This reflects not only a lack of dominant, long-tenured pitchers but also the franchise’s difficulty in maintaining consistent pitching excellence.
Promising Reds Pitchers Who Fell Short
Throughout their history, the Reds have seen numerous pitchers with immense potential who either couldn’t sustain success or moved on before cementing a legacy in Cincinnati:
- Johnny Vander Meer: Famous for his back-to-back no-hitters in 1938, Vander Meer showed flashes of brilliance but never achieved long-term greatness.
- Joe Nuxhall: The youngest player in MLB history when he debuted at 15, Nuxhall became a dependable starter for Cincinnati, pitching for the team for 15 seasons. But Joe was never dominant.
- Gary Nolan: A prodigious talent whose career was derailed by injuries, Nolan played a key role in the Big Red Machine’s success but arm injuries left him short of his potential. He struck out 206 batters at the age of 19, earning comparisons to other phenoms. But Nolan managed only 110 wins in 10 seasons as a Red.
- Don Gullett: Another pitcher from the Big Red Machine era, Gullett’s career was cut short by injuries after just nine seasons.
- Mario Soto: One of the Reds’ best pitchers of the 1980s, Soto had electric stuff but was hampered by a lack of run support and a relatively short prime.
- Jose Rijo: The hero of the 1990 World Series, Rijo had a brilliant peak but dealt with injuries that limited his longevity. For many, Jose is the greatest pitcher to wear a Cincinnati uniform since Tom Seaver. But Rijo is hardly an all-time great.
Even when the Reds acquired great pitchers like Tom Seaver, they often had them for only a brief portion of their careers. Seaver spent five seasons in Cincinnati, making an impact but not staying long enough to challenge the franchise’s all-time records.
Speculating on the Greatest Reds Starting Pitcher
Determining the greatest starting pitcher in Reds history is a challenging task due to the franchise’s lack of clear-cut, long-term pitching icons. Here are some contenders:
- Paul Derringer: A workhorse in the 1930s and early ‘40s, Derringer was a six-time All-Star and pivotal to the Reds’ 1940 World Series championship.
- Bucky Walters: The 1939 National League MVP and a key figure in the 1940 championship, Walters was a dominant two-way player.
- Eppa Rixey: The franchise’s all-time wins leader, Rixey’s steady performance over 13 seasons earns him consideration.
- Dolf Luque: A star of the 1920s, Luque led the league in ERA twice and won a World Series in 1919.
- Tom Seaver: Though his peak came with the Mets, Seaver’s presence elevated the Reds in the late 1970s.
- Jose Rijo: His performance in the 1990 World Series and a stellar peak make Rijo a fan favorite.
- Noodle Hahn: One of the best pitchers of the early 1900s, Hahn’s career was cut short by injuries. He does hold the distinction of earning the most career Wins Above Replacement by a Reds pitcher.
- Jim Maloney: Known for his no-hitters and strikeout ability, Maloney was a dominant force in the 1960s.
- Mario Soto: An underrated ace, Soto was one of the top pitchers in the league during the 1980s.
- Johnny Cueto: A modern contender, Cueto’s peak years with the Reds included a 20-win season and a reputation as one of the league’s best.
While there is no definitive answer, many would argue that Bucky Walters, with his MVP award and World Series success, stands out as the franchise’s best pitcher.
Trevor Bauer: A Rare Cincinnati Cy Young Winner
Despite their long history, the Reds have had only one Cy Young Award winner: Trevor Bauer, who won the award in 2020 during the pandemic-shortened season. While Bauer’s time with the Reds was brief and his off-field controversies have tarnished his reputation, his performance in 2020 remains a bright spot in the Reds’ pitching history.
Reds Relief Pitchers: A Brighter Spot
While starting pitching has been a challenge, the Reds have had more success in the bullpen. Some of the best relievers in team history include:
- Clay Carroll: A key member of the Big Red Machine, Carroll was instrumental in their 1975 and 1976 championships.
- Rob Dibble: Known for his fiery temperament, Dibble was one of the dominant closers of the early 1990s.
- Rawley Eastwick: Another key piece of the Big Red Machine, Eastwick led the league in saves in 1975 and 1976.
- Aroldis Chapman: The “Cuban Missile” electrified fans with his 100+ mph fastball, becoming one of the most feared closers of his era.
- Danny Graves: The franchise’s all-time saves leader, Graves was a two-time All-Star.
- John Franco: Before becoming the Mets’ closer, Franco excelled with the Reds, leading the league in saves in 1988.
- Pedro Borbón: A reliable arm during the Big Red Machine era, Borbón played a crucial role in the team’s success.
The Big Red Machine: Legandary Team, Good Pitching
The Big Red Machine of the 1970s is often considered one of the greatest teams in baseball history, winning back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. While their lineup—featuring Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Pete Rose, and Tony Perez—earned most of the acclaim, their pitching staff was more than adequate. Starters like Don Gullett, Jack Billingham, and Fred Norman, along with relievers Clay Carroll and Rawley Eastwick, provided the support needed for the team’s historic run.
The Cincinnati Reds’ difficulty in developing or retaining elite starting pitchers has been a recurring theme throughout their history. While they’ve had talented arms like Johnny Vander Meer, Mario Soto, and Jose Rijo, injuries and other factors have often prevented sustained greatness. Eppa Rixey’s modest total of 179 wins as the franchise leader underscores this struggle. However, the Reds have enjoyed success in the bullpen and boasted pitching staffs capable of supporting championship-caliber teams like the Big Red Machine. Despite these challenges, the Reds’ rich history and moments of brilliance from pitchers like Walters, Seaver, and Rijo ensure that their legacy on the mound, while uneven, is not without its highlights.
