While the Big Red Machine clubs of the 1970s are rightly lauded as one of the greatest teams in all of baseball history, the Reds of the 1990s earned a special place in the hearts and minds of Reds Country as well. From the wire-to-wire World Series championship to begin the decade to the 1995 division champs and the magical run of the 1999 squad, this era of Reds baseball featured a host of legendary players and iconic characters that fans will never forget.
During voting on reds.com in April 2020, Reds fans had the opportunity to choose their own 1990s Reds All-Decade Team to commemorate the teams and players from this special period.
Casey played for the Reds from 1998–2005 and led the team in hitting six times. His 1999 season may have been the best of his career, leading the team with a .332 batting average and making his first All-Star team. One of the most popular players to ever wear a Reds uniform, he was nicknamed “The Mayor.”
The first third-generation big leaguer played for the Reds from 1994–1998. Boone started at second base for the 1995 NL Central champion Reds. He earned his first All-Star nomination and Gold Glove Award in 1998.
Elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012, Larkin played all 19 of his big-league seasons with the Reds (1986–2004). The 12-time All-Star won nine Silver Sluggers, three Gold Gloves, the 1995 NL MVP and the 1990 World Series. The Reds retired his No. 11 in 2012.
Sabo played for the Reds from 1988–93 and again in 1996. He was NL Rookie of the Year in 1988 and an NL All-Star in ’88, ’90 and ’91. During the 1990 World Series championship season, he led the club in homers (25), doubles (38) and runs (95). Sabo also led the club in home runs in 1993.
A Red from 1989–94 and again from ‘96–‘97, Oliver cemented his name in team history when he delivered a walk-off base hit in Game 2 of the 1990 World Series. Also talented defensively, he led all NL catchers in games caught, putouts and range factor in 1992.
A two-time All-Star, Davis spent nine of his 17 seasons with the Reds (1984-91, 1996). He won three Gold Glove Awards, two Silver Slugger Awards and had seven 20 home run/20 stolen base seasons, including the club’s first 30/30 season in 1987.
An Ohio native, O’Neill began his career with the Reds (1985–92) and started in right field for the 1990 world champions. O’Neill made the first of his five career All-Star appearances in 1991 when he led the Reds in home runs (28), RBIs (91) and doubles (36).
Sanders spent the first eight seasons of his 17-year Major League career with the Reds (1991–98). As an All-Star in 1995, he hit 28 home runs and led that NLCS-runner up squad in RBIs (99), doubles (36) and on-base percentage (.397).
Rijo, a 1994 All-Star, spent 10 of his 14 seasons in Cincinnati (1988–95, 2001–02). He is best remembered for his effort during the 1990 World Series where Rijo went 2-0 to earn MVP honors in the four-game sweep of the A’s.
He threw the franchise’s only perfect game in 1988, but Browning also had a team-high 15 wins and 35 starts for the 1990 World Series championship team. He pitched for the Reds from 1984–94 and ranks 12th on the club’s all-time wins list (123).
A member of the 1990 World Series champion Reds, Jackson made Cincinnati one of his seven Major League stops (1988–90). He started Game 2 of the World Series against the A’s which the Reds won 5-4 en route to their four-game sweep.
Brantley spent 14 seasons in the majors, playing for the Reds from 1994–97 where he posted a 2.64 ERA. As Cincinnati’s closer in 1996, Brantley led the league in saves with 44 and earned the National League Rolaids Relief Man Award.
One of the three members of the “Nasty Boys” trio, Charlton pitched for Cincinnati from 1988–92 and again in 2000. In addition to playing a prominent role on the 1990 team, Charlton was an All-Star in 1992.
One of the three members of the “Nasty Boys” trio, Dibble pitched for the Reds from 1988–93. An All-Star in 1990 and 1991, Dibble earned co-NLCS MVP honors in 1990 and led that relief crew in games (68), ERA (1.74) and strikeouts (136).
Graves spent the majority of his 11-year Major League career with the Reds (1997–2005). He was a two-time All-Star and led the Reds in saves in five different seasons, finishing his Reds career as the franchise’s all-time saves leader (182).
One of the three members of the “Nasty Boys” trio, Myers pitched for Cincinnati in 1990–91. The 1990 All-Star won co-NLCS MVP that same season after converting all three of his save opportunities in the 4-2 series win over the Pirates.
