Best Cincinnati Reds Ever: Adam Dunn v. Chris Sabo

Second Round Matchup | No. 2 Adam Dunn v. No. 7 Chris Sabo

The next second round matchup in our “Best Red Ever” tournament features baseball’s most legitimate three-outcome hitter and a former Rookie of the Year winner for the Cincinnati Reds.

Dunn:

Adam Dunn’s first round win (63 percent) over Paul O’Neill in our Best Cincinnati Reds Ever tournament — along with a detailed write-up — can be found here.

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"You, I and the Cincinnati Reds knew what we were going to get from Adam Dunn — it was sometimes spectacular, but other times it, well,wasn’t. For five straight seasons Dunn topped 40 home runs, had at least 100 walks, struck out at least 164 times (leading the league thrice) while driving in 100 RBIs in four of those five seasons. He was the truest three-outcome hitter.He earned MVP votes in two of those seasons, was an All-Star in his sophomore season and finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2001 — while setting a National League rookie record with 12 home runs in a month (August) —  behind a trio you may have heard of: Albert Pujols, Roy Oswalt and Jimmy Rollins."

Highlights

— ranks 4th in career home runs (270) with the Reds

— ranks seventh in career walks (755) with the Reds

— ranks third in career strikeouts (1,212) with the Reds

— ranks third in career SLG (.520) for the Reds

— ranks third in career OPS (.900) for the Reds

Sabo:

Chris Sabo’s upset win in the first round (81 percent) over Hal Morris — along with a detailed write-up — can be found here.

"A second round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 1983, the 5-foot-11 third baseman Chris Sabo quickly made his presence felt. In his first five minor league seasons he combined to hit 45 home runs before making his major league debut in 1988. All he did that season was belt 11 home runs, steal 46 bases, run away with the Rookie of the Year and make the All-Star team — the only rookie to make either All-Star team that season.After just 82 games played with the Reds in 1989 Sabo rebounded with All-Star years in both 1990 and 1991. Spuds combined to hit 51 home runs, steal 44 bases, hit .285 and garnered MVP votes in each season. In the 1990 World Series with the Oakland Athletics, Sabo hit .563 with two home runs, five RBIs and just two strikeouts."

Highlights

— ranks 26th in career home runs (104) for the Reds

— ranks 25th in career doubles (193) with the Reds

— is the only Reds player with at least 190 doubles in fewer than 1,00 games played (818)

— three-time All-Star selection

— Rookie of the Year Award winner

Next: Find the tournament breakdown here!

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