The 1992 Cincinnati Reds began the season with lofty expectations. Though most scribes had the Braves winning the division, the Reds were definitely expected to make it close. Although they won just 74 games the year before after winning the World Series in 1990, the Reds looked to be greatly improved after bolstering their rotation and re-tooling the outfield. They added veteran hurlers Tim Belcher (from the Dodgers) and Greg Swindell (Indians) in trades, as well as trading for two new outfield starters in Bip Roberts (San Diego) and Dave Martinez (Montreal).
The Reds are led by manager 48-year old Lou Piniella, in his third season with Cincinnati.
The Reds are notable for being the last MLB team still wearing pullover jerseys with sansabelt pants. This trend was adopted by most of the league after the Pirates debuted them in 1970, with just five teams avoiding the look during this era (Dodgers, Expos, Mets, Yankees, and Phillies). By 1988, double-knit uniforms and elastic banded pants were pretty much over, with only the Reds still avoiding buttons and belts by the time 1992 rolled around but the Reds would join the rest of MLB and move to the traditional button-down jerseys next year.
Reserve catcher Troy Afenir models the Reds uni
This year would be also be the last for the current Reds logo, which has featured Mr. Redlegs since 1972. Next year the Reds will go back to the familiar wishbone C without the caricature.
Enough about that, how are they doing on the field? In the young season they have started out 8-4, and come to LA in a three-way tie atop the NL West. Martinez has begun his Reds career well, hitting .358/.419/.538, with another new addition in Swindell also starting strong. The lefty has a 0.34 ERA through three starts. However, the Dodgers will miss on Swindell, though they do face two other pitchers who have traditionally been very tough against the Dodgers.
April 20: Tom Browning (1-0, 1.13 ERA) vs. Bob Ojeda (1-1, 6.39)
Trivia: Browning pitched the 12th perfect game in MLB history against the Dodgers back in 1988.
While the Dodgers avoided the shutout for the first time in the last three games, their anemic offense posted just one run off Browning in a the Reds’ 5-1 win. LA didn’t help themselves in the field, committing four errors on the left side of the infield - two by Jose Offerman at short and two by Mike Sharperson at third - which helped lead to a pair of unearned runs. They now have 13 as a club, with Offerman responsible for 6 of those.
April 21: Chris Hammond (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 6 IP) vs. Kevin Gross (0-1, 2.02, 13 IP)
The Reds took a 3-1 lead early, partially in thanks to Barry Larkin’s first inning homer. The Dodgers clawed back to tie it but Larkin parked another dong in the 8th off Jay Howell. This one came with two runners aboard and allowed Cincy to win it 6-3. Closer Rob Dibble picked up his 4th save as the Dodgers dropped their 5th in a row.
April 22: Jose Rijo (2-0, 1.82) vs Tom Candiotti (2-1, 2.25)
The Dodgers tried to shake up their slumping offense by benching three struggling starters, Eric Davis, Mike Scioscia, and Eric Karros. Rijo was sharp, shutting out the Dodgers on 7 2/3 innings and leaving with a 2-0 lead. However, in the bottom of the 9th the Dodgers tied it up against reliever Bryan Hickerson. Offerman and Lenny Harris each reached base and moved up on a double steal. Backup catcher Carlos Hernandez then singled home the runners to tie it up. However, in the 10th, the Reds tacked on a run against Jim Gott when Bip Roberts singled home the go-ahead run. In the bottom of the 10th, with Dibble unavailable due to usage, Hickerson stayed in and allowed a single to Javier, who had replaced Davis in the lineup. In an odd twist of fate, Davis was then sent to pinch hit for Harris and blasted a walk-off 2-run homer to give LA the amazing 4-3 win, snapping the losing streak n the process. What a game!
The Dodgers are now 6-10, while the Reds drop out of first place at 10-5, one game behind Houston.
The National League player of the week is Andy Van Slyke (PIT) who hit .500/.522/.720 for the first place Pirates. He’s one of three NL’ers already to 1.0 WAR.
The American League player of the week is catcher Chris Hoiles (BAL) who hit .500/.560/1.025, including 4 home runs and 8 RBI. He’s tied for second in homers with 5.
