Top 25 Reds’ Position Players of All-Time: End of Year Countdown (Part 4 – 10-6)

Whenever someone creates a “Best Of” list or a “Greatest” something or other in rank order, it always opens the topic for debate exactly what qualifies someone or something better than another.  To end 2012, I thought it would be interesting to look at All-Time Reds in a rank order.  There is no “right” answer to this, although I made a best attempt to make this a bit more “scientific” in equalizing ranks across a large disparity of games played.  Intangibles are harder to award where discrete numbers weren’t produced, but no consideration was given for any player’s statistics beyond his time as a Reds player.

We pick up today at #10, continuing from the previous list (15-11) from yesterday:

10 – Adam Dunn (2001-2007)

While the defense of the nicknamed “Big Donkey” left a lot to be desired roaming left field for the Reds, there was never a doubt of the prolific power of Adam Dunn.  His offense was a force to be reckoned even on bad teams.  In his 1,087 games in Cincinnati, Dunn accumulated 678 runs (16th), 270 HR (4th), 646 RBI (16th), and 755 BB (6th) along with .380 OBP (5th), .520 SLG (3rd), and a .900 OPS (3rd). Notching five straight seasons of 40+ HR put him among the game’s elite.

9 – Tony Perez (1964-1976, 1984-1986)

Transitioning from the “Big Donkey” to “Big Doggie”, Tony Perez was a prolific RBI machine for the Big Red Machine.  The long-time first baseman was a seven-time All-Star for the Reds.  While appearing in 1,948 games (6th most) in Cincinnati, Perez racked up 936 runs (8th), 1,934 hits (6th), 339 doubles (6th), 287 HR (3rd), 1,192 RBI (2nd), and 671 BB (9th).

8 – Ted Kluszewski (1947-1957)

Big Klu (Credit: John Dominis)

Big Klu was a monster among men while manning first base.  Known for his cut off sleeves (to allow himself to swing freely), Klu possessed a power beyond most of his peers.  In his 1,399 games in Cincinnati, Kluszewski accumulated 745 runs (12th), 1,499 hits (10th), 251 HR (5th), and 886 RBI (8th) along with a .512 SLG (6th) and .869 OPS (8th).

7 – Bid McPhee (1882-1899)

With his entire career in the late 1800’s and all with the Reds organization, the second baseman McPhee put together a wealth of statistics eclipsed by few since.  His propensity for speed clearly showed with the number of triples and stolen bases he was able to achieve.  In his 2,135 games (5th most) in Cincinnati, he amassed 1,678 runs (2nd), 2,250 hits (4th), 303 doubles (8th), 188 triples (1st), 1,067 RBI (3rd), 981 BB (2nd), and 568 SB (1st).

6 – Edd Roush (1916-1926, 1931)

Roush was one of the better hitters of his day and often was near the top of the league in batting average and hits.  He was a member of the 1919 Championship team as well.  In his 1,399 games in Cincinnati, Roush recorded some 815 runs (11th), 1,784 hits (8th), 260 doubles (10th), 152 triples (2nd), and 199 SB (10th) along with the high-water mark of .331 BA (2nd), .377 OBP (11th), and .839 OPS (11th).

I return tomorrow with Part 5, finishing the countdown from #5 to #1.

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