1891 Cincinnati Reds season
Encyclopedia
The Cincinnati Reds
season was a season in American baseball. The team finished in a tie for last place in the National League
with the Pittsburgh Pirates
with a record of 56-81, 30.5 games behind the Boston Beaneaters
.
in 1890
, the Reds looked to improve on their 77-55 record in 1891. The team brought back manager Tom Loftus
for a second season.
Cincinnati had a new starting shortstop, as Germany Smith
joined the team from the Brooklyn Bridegrooms
. The light hitting Smith batted .191 with a homer and 47 RBI with the Bridegrooms in 1890. The Reds would also have third baseman Arlie Latham
for the full season, as he had split the 1890 season between the Reds and Chicago Pirates
of the Players' League. Latham had some big seasons with the St. Louis Browns
of the American Association
in the 1880s, leading the league in runs (152) in 1886, and stolen bases (109) in 1888. Veteran pitcher Old Hoss Radbourn joined the Reds after going 27-12 with a 3.31 with the Boston Reds of the Players' League in 1890. Radbourn had a huge season back in 1884 with the Providence Grays
, going 59-12 with a 1.38 ERA, 73 complete games and striking out 441 hitters.
Bug Holliday
rebounded from a substandard 1890 season by leading the team with a .319 average, nine homers and 84 RBI. Jocko Halligan
, who joined the Reds in July, had a .312 average with three homers and 44 RBI in only 61 games. Latham hit .272 with seven homers and 53 RBI, as well as leading the team with 87 stolen bases. Tony Mullane
led the pitching staff with 23 victories, while Billy Rhines
finished the year 17-24 with a team best 2.87 ERA and 138 strikeouts.
, which included a 23-4 loss. That set the tone for the season, as wins were scarce, as Cincinnati fell into the National League cellar. The Reds battled back, finishing off the season with a seven-game winning streak to move into a virtual tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates
for seventh place. Both teams finished 30½ games behind the pennant winning Boston Beaneaters
, but the Reds had a slightly better winning percentage
by virtue of having played two more games than the Pirates.
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
season was a season in American baseball. The team finished in a tie for last place in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
with the Pittsburgh Pirates
1891 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
with a record of 56-81, 30.5 games behind the Boston Beaneaters
1891 Boston Beaneaters season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
.
Regular season
After a fairly successful first season in the National LeagueNational League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in 1890
1890 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished fourth in the National League with a record of 77-55, 10½ behind the Brooklyn Bridegrooms.- Regular season :...
, the Reds looked to improve on their 77-55 record in 1891. The team brought back manager Tom Loftus
Tom Loftus
Thomas Joseph Loftus is a former manager in the American Association, the National League, and the American League. His playing career began in 1877 with the St. Louis Brown Stockings of the National League, but he only played in nine career games in 1877 and 1883 as an outfielder...
for a second season.
Cincinnati had a new starting shortstop, as Germany Smith
Germany Smith
George J. "Germany" Smith was an American Major League Baseball player from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He played primarily shortstop for five different teams spanning 15 seasons. He made his major league debut for Altoona Mountain City of the Union Association in...
joined the team from the Brooklyn Bridegrooms
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. The light hitting Smith batted .191 with a homer and 47 RBI with the Bridegrooms in 1890. The Reds would also have third baseman Arlie Latham
Arlie Latham
Walter Arlington Latham was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball from -. He died in Garden City, New York, at the age of 92.-Personality:...
for the full season, as he had split the 1890 season between the Reds and Chicago Pirates
Chicago Pirates
The Chicago Pirates were a baseball team in the Players' League for a single season in 1890. The team played their home games at South Side Park . Their powerful National League rivals were the Chicago White Stockings. The Pirates recruited most of the White Stocking's players, and for this reason...
of the Players' League. Latham had some big seasons with the St. Louis Browns
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
of the American Association
American Association (19th century)
The American Association was a Major League Baseball league that existed for 10 seasons from to . During that time, it challenged the National League for dominance of professional baseball...
in the 1880s, leading the league in runs (152) in 1886, and stolen bases (109) in 1888. Veteran pitcher Old Hoss Radbourn joined the Reds after going 27-12 with a 3.31 with the Boston Reds of the Players' League in 1890. Radbourn had a huge season back in 1884 with the Providence Grays
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at Messer Field in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National League title twice, in and...
, going 59-12 with a 1.38 ERA, 73 complete games and striking out 441 hitters.
Bug Holliday
Bug Holliday
James Wear "Bug" Holliday was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons, from through , plus the 1885 World Series. He holds the distinction of being the first player to make his major league debut in post-season play, with the Chicago White Stockings in 1885...
rebounded from a substandard 1890 season by leading the team with a .319 average, nine homers and 84 RBI. Jocko Halligan
Jocko Halligan
William E. "Jocko" Halligan , was a professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, and Buffalo Bisons.-External links:...
, who joined the Reds in July, had a .312 average with three homers and 44 RBI in only 61 games. Latham hit .272 with seven homers and 53 RBI, as well as leading the team with 87 stolen bases. Tony Mullane
Tony Mullane
Anthony John "Tony" Mullane , nickamed "Count" and "The Apollo of the Box", was an Irish Major League Baseball player who pitched for seven teams during his 13-season career...
led the pitching staff with 23 victories, while Billy Rhines
Billy Rhines
William Pearl Rhines was a former professional baseball player. He was a pitcher over parts of 9 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He led the National League in ERA twice while playing for Cincinnati...
finished the year 17-24 with a team best 2.87 ERA and 138 strikeouts.
Season summary
The Reds started the season off losing four games in a row to their Ohio rivals, the Cleveland Spiders1891 Cleveland Spiders season
The Cleveland Spiders season was a season in American baseball. They finished with a 65-74 record and a fifth place finish in the National League....
, which included a 23-4 loss. That set the tone for the season, as wins were scarce, as Cincinnati fell into the National League cellar. The Reds battled back, finishing off the season with a seven-game winning streak to move into a virtual tie with the Pittsburgh Pirates
1891 Pittsburgh Pirates season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
for seventh place. Both teams finished 30½ games behind the pennant winning Boston Beaneaters
1891 Boston Beaneaters season
- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg...
, but the Reds had a slightly better winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
by virtue of having played two more games than the Pirates.
Roster
| 1891 Cincinnati Reds | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| valign="top" | Pitchers |
valign="top" | Catchers Infielders |
valign="top" | Outfielders |
valign="top" | Manager |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 135 | 546 | 132 | .242 | 4 | 64 | |
| 2B | 138 | 562 | 144 | .256 | 6 | 38 | |
| SS | 138 | 512 | 103 | .201 | 3 | 53 | |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75 | 252 | 51 | .202 | 4 | 33 | |
| 16 | 54 | 6 | .111 | 0 | 3 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | 426.1 | 23 | 26 | 3.23 | 124 | |
| 26 | 218 | 11 | 13 | 4.25 | 54 | |
| 15 | 116.2 | 4 | 8 | 4.09 | 51 | |
| 10 | 77 | 1 | 9 | 5.38 | 23 | |