Description: Cincinnati Red Stockings, 1869 team photograph. This photomontage consists of ten oval-shaped portraits of individual team members. Nine captioned photos of players are arranged around a larger portrait of team captain Harry Wright. The men are dressed in business or formal attire. The date "1869" is printed at center bottom; below it is the credit line "From original photos taken at the time in Cincinnati, Ohio." The 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings made history not only as the most dominant baseball club of its time but also as the first band of professional ballplayers. Professional baseball originated in Cincinnati. The first game played by a team in which all players were professionals and received pay occurred on June 1, 1869, when the Cincinnati Red Stockings defeated the Mansfield Independents, an amateur club. The Red Stockings won by a score of 48-14. The salary for the entire Cincinnati team during the 1869 season was eleven thousand dollars. The Red Stockings went on to win 130 consecutive games during 1869 and early 1870, not losing a game until June 14, 1870. Baseball historians challenge the number of games because a majority of them involved amateur clubs losing to the Red Stockings. Nevertheless, the club had fifty-seven straight victories against other highly-ranked and professional or semi-professional teams. Cincinnati's decision to pay players proved to be a success, and other cities soon began establishing professional clubs throughout America. The Red Stockings team was a leading contender during its first several decades of existence. In 1876 the team, now known as the Cincinnati Reds, became one of the original members of the newly formed National League, but this organization expelled the club in 1880 for selling beer at the team's games. The Reds returned to the National League after a decade's absence. Baseball became one of Cincinnati's most popular entertainment venues, aided in part by the team's World Series titles in 1919 and 1940. Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine," featuring players such as Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Pete Rose, dominated baseball in the 1970s, picking up additional titles in 1975 and 1976. A surprise wire-to-wire title again in 1990 strengthened the Reds' legacy and helped ensure future generations of Reds fans. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06023
Subjects: Cincinnati Red Stockings (Baseball team); Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); Baseball--Ohio--Cincinnati--History; Baseball--History; Cultural Ohio--Ohio Sports
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This picture shows the 1939 National League champion, the Cincinnati Reds team. Managed by Bill McKechnie, the Reds finished the regular season with a record of 97 wins and 57 loses, 4.5 games ahead of the second-place St. Louis Cardinals. The 1939 team lost the World Series to the New York Yankees but came back in 1940 to win the world championship by defeating the Detroit Tigers. Professional baseball originated in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first game played by a team where all players were professionals and received pay for playing occurred on June 1, 1869, when the Cincinnati Red Stockings defeated the Mansfield Independents, an amateur club. The Red Stockings won by a score of 48-14. The salary for the entire Cincinnati team during the 1869 season was eleven thousand dollars. The Red Stockings went on to win 130 consecutive games during 1869 and early 1870, not losing a game until June 14, 1870. Baseball historians challenge the number of games because a majority of them involved amateur clubs losing to the Red Stockings. Nevertheless, the club had fifty-seven straight victories against other highly-ranked and professional or semi-professional teams. The Reds proved to be a leading contender during its first several decades of existence. In 1876, the team was one of the original members of the National League, but this organization expelled the club in 1880 for selling beer at the team's games. The Reds returned to the National League after a decade's absence. In 1919 the Cincinnati Reds won its first World Series, defeating the Chicago White Sox five games to three in a best of nine series. Several White Sox players eventually admitted to throwing the series to the Reds, but Reds outfielder Edd Roush claimed, "One thing that's always overlooked in this whole mess is that we could have beaten them no matter the circumstances. The 1919 Cincinnati Reds were better!" During the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, the Reds continued to be playoff contenders. The club won National League pennant and the World Series in 1940. The Cincinnati Reds also participated in the first televised baseball game in 1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06024
Subjects: Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); Baseball--Ohio--Cincinnati--History; Baseball--History; Cincinnati Red Stockings (Baseball team); Cultural Ohio--Ohio Sports
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph is an image of Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Vander Meer, the only baseball player to pitch two consecutive no-hitters. This achievement occurred in 1938, during his rookie year with the Cincinnati Reds. The first no-hitter was against the Boston Red Sox on June 11; second, on June 15 against the Dodgers in Brooklyn. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06179
Subjects: Vander Meer, Johnny, 1914- 1997; Baseball players; Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team)
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Illustration of the members of the Red Stocking Base-Ball Club of Cincinnati, titled "An Old-Time Ball Nine," 1869. Ten men are pictured, with one presumably the coach. Professional baseball originated in Cincinnati, where the first game played by a team of all professionals who received pay for playing occurred on June 1, 1869. During the inaugural game, the Cincinnati Red Stockings defeated the Mansfield Independents, an amateur club, by a score of forty-eight to fourteen. The salary for the entire Cincinnati team during the 1869 season was eleven thousand dollars. The Red Stockings went on to win 130 consecutive games during 1869 and early 1870, not losing a game until June 14, 1870. Baseball historians challenge the number of games, because a majority of them involved amateur clubs losing to the Red Stockings. Nevertheless, the club had fifty-seven straight victories against other highly-ranked and professional or semi-professional teams. The Red Stockings proved to be a leading contender during their first several decades of existence. In 1876, the team now known as the Cincinnati Reds became one of the original members of the National League, but this organization expelled the club in 1880 for selling beer at the team’s games. The Reds returned to the League in 1890 after a decade’s absence. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SC_192_001
Subjects: Cincinnati Red Stockings (Baseball team); Cincinnati (Ohio)--History; Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); Baseball--History; Sports
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph is an image of Cincinnati Reds outfielder Harry Craft in action, running to catch the ball. His best year was his rookie year, 1938. His playing career ended in 1942 when he left the Reds to join the Navy. Later, he became a manager, working for Kansas City Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Houston Colts. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06180
Subjects: Baseball players; Center fielders (Baseball); Baseball managers; Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team)
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph, which shows an interior view of Crosley Field, Cincinnati, Ohio, was taken April 15, 1941. Crosely Field was the home of the Cincinnati Reds from 1912 to June 24, 1970. Before 1912, the Cincinnati Reds had played in a number of ballparks. Originally called Redland Field, the ballpark was renamed Crosely Field in 1934 after Powel Crosely, who purchased the team and the ballpark. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06181
Subjects: Crosley Field (Cincinnati, Ohio); Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); Baseball--Ohio--Cincinnati--History; Crosley, Powel
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph, which shows an an exterior view of Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio, was taken April 15, 1941. Crosley Field was the home of Cincinnati Reds from 1912 to June 24, 1970. In this photograph, people are standing in line, presumably to buy tickets for a Red game. A sign on the side of the stadium reads: "Crosley Field / Cincinnati Reds / World Champions." Before 1912, the Cincinnati Reds had played in various ballparks. When the new stadium opened in 1912, it was named Redland Field; in 1934 it was renamed Crosley Field in honor of Powel Crosley, who purchased the team and the ballpark in 1934. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: AL06182
Subjects: Crosley Field (Cincinnati, Ohio); Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); Baseball--Ohio--Cincinnati--History; Crosley, Powel
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "Harry Craft. Red center fielder at Cincinnati, Ohio." This is a photo of Harry Craft, a Cincinnati Reds center fielder, running for a fly ball at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio. Craft was a center fielder for the Cincinnati Reds from 1937-1942. In 1938 he caught an important fly ball that led to Johnny Vander Meer consecutively pitching 2 no-hit games. After joining the navy in 1942, Craft turned to managing and over the course of his career worked as a coach or manager for the Kansas City Athletics, the Chicago Cubs and the Houston Colt .45s. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B13F01_002_001
Subjects: Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); Center fielders (Baseball); Baseball players; Crosley Field (Cincinnati, Ohio)--History--Pictorial works; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project.
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "Opening game. Cin.Ball.Park. Apr. 15-1941- Raising of World Pennant-showing Reds and St. Louis players, temporary seats in left field and left field grand stand." This photograph depicts the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals standing at attention during the raising of the World Pennant during the opening game at Crosley Field in Cincinnati on April 15, 1941. Crosley Field was located at the corner of Western Avenue and Findley Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally named Redland Field, this steel and concrete Major League Baseball park was designed by architect Henry Hake and cost $225, 000 to build. It was renamed Crosley Field in 1934, when the team was bought by local businessman Powel Crosley Jr., who's ownership saw some important structural renovations to the building. It 1935, lights were added to allow for games to be played at night, in order to increase attendance during the Depression. Crosley Field was also used for other events throughout the years. Crosley Field was one of the smallest parks in the MLB, in both capacity and field size, and was notorious for "the terrace", a fifteen degree incline in left field. The last game at Crosley Field was played June 24, 1970, and the team moved to Riverfront Stadium. It was destroyed on April 19, 1972, and today seven buildings and a street occupy the place where it stood. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B13F01_003_001
Subjects: Crosley Field (Cincinnati, Ohio)--History--Pictorial works; Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); St. Louis Cardinals (Baseball team); Baseball--Ohio--Cincinnati; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project.
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "Opening Game. Apr. 15-41. Western ave side of of Cin.Ball park." Fans wait in line outside the Western avenue side of Crosley Field for the opening game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals on April 15, 1941. Crosley Field is located at the corner of Western Avenue and Findley Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally named Redland Field, this steel and concrete Major League Baseball park was designed by architect Henry Hake and cost $225,000 to build. It was renamed Crosley Field in 1934, when the team was bought by local businessman Powel Crosley Jr., who's ownership saw some important structural renovations to the building. It 1935, lights were added to allow for games to be played at night, in order to increase attendance during the Depression. Crosley Field was also used for other events throughout the years. Crosley Field was one of the smallest parks in the MLB, in both capacity and field size, and was notorious for "the terrace", a fifteen degree incline in left field. The last game at Crosley Field was played June 24, 1970, and the team moved to Riverfront Stadium. It was destroyed on April 19, 1972, and today seven buildings and a street occupy the place where it stood. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B13F01_004_001
Subjects: Crosley Field (Cincinnati, Ohio)--History--Pictorial works; Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); St. Louis Cardinals (Baseball team); Baseball--Ohio--Cincinnati; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project.
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: Reverse reads: "Opening game.Cin.Ball Park- Apr. 15-1941. Showing the bleacher seats- temporary seats on ground in right field and part of grand stand seats." This photograph depicts the temporary bleacher seats filled with fans at Crosley Field in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 15, 1941. Crosley Field was located at the corner of Western Avenue and Findley Street in Cincinnati, Ohio. Originally named Redland Field, this steel and concrete Major League Baseball park was designed by architect Henry Hake and cost $225,000 to build. It was renamed Crosley Field in 1934, when the team was bought by local businessman Powel Crosley Jr., who's ownership saw some important structural renovations to the building. It 1935, lights were added to allow for games to be played at night, in order to increase attendance during the Depression. Crosley Field was also used for other events throughout the years. Crosley Field was one of the smallest parks in the MLB, in both capacity and field size, and was notorious for "the terrace", a fifteen degree incline in left field. The last game at Crosley Field was played June 24, 1970, and the team moved to Riverfront Stadium. It was destroyed on April 19, 1972 and today seven buildings and a street occupy the place where it stood. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B13F01_005_001
Subjects: Crosley Field (Cincinnati, Ohio)--History--Pictorial works; Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); St. Louis Cardinals (Baseball team); Baseball--Ohio--Cincinnati; Ohio--History--Pictorial works; Federal Writers' Project.
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)
 

Description: This photograph shows the presentation of flowers by Findlay Market merchants to Cincinnati Reds manager Bill McKechnie during the opening game on April 15, 1941, at Crosley Field. It appears the players from both teams surround the presentation, as well as a marching band. McKechnie (1886 -1965) started his career as a player and was the first manager to win the World Series with two different teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also remains one of two managers to win pennants with three different teams. Because of his personal choices and religious nature, he became known as the "Deacon." A note on the photograph's reverse reads "Opening Game- Cin. Ball Park. Apr. 15-1941. Presentation of bouquet of flowers to Mgr. Bill McKechenie by Findlay Market merchants. This is a yearly custom." This photograph is one of the many visual materials collected for use in the Ohio Guide. In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Works Progress Administration by executive order to create jobs for the large numbers of unemployed laborers, as well as artists, musicians, actors, and writers. The Federal Arts Program, a sector of the Works Progress Administration, included the Federal Writers’ Project, one of the primary goals of which was to complete the America Guide series, a series of guidebooks for each state which included state history, art, architecture, music, literature, and points of interest to the major cities and tours throughout the state. Work on the Ohio Guide began in 1935 with the publication of several pamphlets and brochures. The Reorganization Act of 1939 consolidated the Works Progress Administration and other agencies into the Federal Works Administration, and the Federal Writers’ Project became the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio. The final product was published in 1940 and went through several editions. The Ohio Guide Collection consists of 4,769 photographs collected for use in Ohio Guide and other publications of the Federal Writers’ Project in Ohio from 1935-1939. View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: SA1039AV_B13F01_006_001
Subjects: Baseball managers; Crosley Field (Cincinnati, Ohio)--History--Pictorial works; Cincinnati Reds (Baseball team); St. Louis Cardinals (Baseball team); Baseball
Places: Cincinnati (Ohio); Hamilton County (Ohio)