Big Klu set trend (because he HAD to!) before Reds embraced sleeveless look

CINCINNATI -- Sun's out, guns out.

The Reds' sartorial choices over the years have prompted some of their players to go sleeveless with their uniforms and show off their biceps.

Most famously, Reds slugger Ted Kluszewski flashed his biceps in uniform, but initially, it was out of necessity not long after his 1947 promotion to the big leagues. Affectionately known as "Big Klu," and listed at 6-foot-2 with a weight ranging from 225-240 pounds, Kluszewski's massive 15-inch biceps didn't fit well in Cincinnati's jersey sleeves.

So Kluszewski decided to cut them off.

"It was either that or change my swing -- and I wasn't about to change my swing," Kluszewski was reported as saying.

Good thing Kluszewski didn't change his swing. He spent 11 of his 15 Major League seasons with the Reds from 1947-57, and he was a lifetime .298 hitter with 279 home runs.

A four-time All-Star, Kluszewski slugged a Major League-leading 49 homers in 1954, which gave him a franchise record that was held until George Foster passed him with 52 in 1977.

In 1956, the Reds went with road uniforms with sleeveless vests that featured the "Mr. Redlegs" logo on the front -- the only season that they used that particular set full-time. While the rest of the team sported T-shirts underneath, Kluszewski went without and let his hulking arms breathe easy.

In the film "Major League," fictional Cleveland manager Lou Brown told pitcher Rick Vaughn, "We wear caps and sleeves at this level, son." Some Reds in later generations after Kluszewski didn't always follow that edict.

Known for his imposing physique and strength, right fielder Glenn Braggs arrived to the Reds following a June 9, 1990, trade from the Brewers. Famously, he broke a bat over his own shoulder on a swing and miss vs. the A's Dave Stewart during Game 4 of the '90 World Series.

On at least two occasions, Braggs showed off his muscles in a Cincinnati uniform. On June 16, 1991, vs. the Phillies, for a "Turn Back the Clock" game at Veterans Stadium, both clubs wore throwbacks to their 1957-style uniforms. For the Reds, that meant vested road jerseys with undershirts.

In the spirit of Kluszewski -- who played his final season for the Reds in '57 -- Braggs partially cut down the sleeves of his undershirt as he played. He went a step further the following year.

On Aug. 30, 1992, vs. the Mets at Shea Stadium, it was another throwback night to classic uniforms. The Mets, who were celebrating their 30th anniversary season, wore their 1962 uniforms, and the Reds -- who had worn V-necked pullover jerseys since the 1970s -- followed suit with their own '62 set. That meant once again going with the vested look and a shirt underneath.

This time, Braggs went entirely sleeveless.

"He looks like these uniforms were invented for him," former Reds great turned TV analyst Joe Morgan said during ESPN's broadcast that evening. "With the big guns. ... Look at that. ... He's pumped up there."

Incidentally, the game ended in heartbreak as Braggs watched Bobby Bonilla's ninth-inning home run off Rob Dibble sail over the right-field fence for a 4-3 walk-off loss. Dibble ripped off his vested jersey as he stormed off the mound.

Cincinnati went with the vested uniform at home in 1993-94 before making it a permanent look -- home and road -- from '95-2006, but no players tried channeling their inner Kluszewski on the field.

During 2019, the Reds' 150th anniversary season -- the club highlighted most of its uniformed looks during home games throughout the year. When the vested-era jerseys were used, the players knew what to do.

On July 7, 2019, vs. Cleveland at Great American Ball Park, the Reds featured those 1956 vested road jerseys that Kluszewski wore. Several hitters and pitchers -- including bigger-armed guys Derek Dietrich, Michael Lorenzen, Yasiel Puig and Amir Garrett -- paid homage to Big Klu by going without undershirts.

Then again on July 21, 2019, against the Cardinals, the vested 1961 kits were used. Once again, Dietrich, Lorenzen and Puig flexed their guns and then some. Before taking the field, Dietrich and Lorenzen even broke out the barbell weights and did some curls.

As ballplayers have gotten bigger and stronger, will another come around that goes sans sleeves? If he does, there's little doubt that he would draw comparison with the man who started the look -- Big Klu himself.