The Cincinnati Reds, as you may know, have been around a long time. Video cameras have been around less long. I mean, unless you count that phot0-animation running horse thing. And, that, only if you use the way un-cool starting point of the original franchise of 1882, like baseball-reference. MLB.com now has quite a few classic videos for your perusal. And, for your convenience, I’ve collected three of my favorites, to occupy you tonight.
This one is not exactly Reds positive, but it’s older, and it’s really amazing. From Game 1 of the 1970 World Series (box score), Lee May is leading off in the 6th inning, with the game tied at 3-3. He stings one down the third base line, and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, picks it up, and throws it, off balance, to get May out at 1st. (May already had a single and a two-run HR in the game). The Reds would go on to lose that game 4-3, and the series 4 games to 1, but hey, you also get to see Jim Palmer, infamous hottie, in the video as well.
Video Link
This game is not a World Series game, but it’s a great one from the 1989 season. Paul O’Neill manages to not totally screw up, but I’m not sure how. On July 5. 1989 (boxscore), the Reds were tied in Philadelphia in the bottom of the 10th inning, and Lenny Dykstra was up, facing John Franco with a man on second. Dykstra hits a soft liner into right field, and … then things happen. In the end, O’Neill does manage to hold the runner on third, but he would score on a passed ball in the very next at bat, anyway.
Video Link
Every baseball video list needs a good brawl. This one is from Game Three of the 1973 National League Championship versus the New York Mets in Shea. (Boxscore). Joe Morgan hits into a double play, and Pete Rose gets into a fight at second base. And then there’s another fight. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have footage of Pedro Borbon taking a bite out of a Mets cap, but there is a lengthy, if somewhat biased account of the whole situation here.
Bonus video: It’s just Ken Griffey Jr. returning to Seattle in 2007 when the Reds played the Mariners in interleague play, but while he’s coming out for a little ceremony on the field, they’re playing the theme to Jurassic part, which….what? Video link.
