The Best Reds Who Were Former Indians

May 20, 2013; Flushing, NY,USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Shin-Soo Choo (17) walks during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. (Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports)

Over the years, the Battle of Ohio has brought us a fair share of extremely talented Major Leaguers. Some Reds, some Indians, and some that were on both sides of the battle.

In the light of this year’s series, and the big trade between the two teams that swapped Shin-Soo Choo and Drew Stubbs, along with the Arizona Diamondbacks pitching prospect Trevor Bauer, I felt it was a good time to look back at the best Reds who were members of the Tribe before their days in Cincinnati.

Shin-Soo Choo

Easy enough start, right? In the past few years the Reds have been big time players on making trades that have really improved this team and helped take them to the next level. After 2012’s big bangs with Mat Latos and Sean Marshall, Choo has fit right in.

Choo also has solved a huge issue the Reds have had in the lead off spot. Through the rough days of Corey Patterson, Willy Taveras, Drew Stubbs and the list goes on, Choo has been the light at the end of the tunnel.

Through 51 games this season, Choo has put together a slash line of .295/.449/.526 with 10 home runs, 20 RBI and five stolen bases.

Eddie Taubensee

If you remember the 1999 Cincinnati Reds team, you had to love Eddie Taubensee being in the lineup. Taubensee started his career with the Indians in 1991 before playing a few years with the Houston Astros, then became a Reds from 1994-2000, before finishing his career with the Indians.

In his six and a half seasons with the Reds, Taubensee hit a solid .286 with 77 home runs and 330 RBI. Eddie’s best year with the Reds came in 1999 when he hit .311 with 21 home runs and 87 RBI.

Danny Graves

Who could forget “the baby-faced assassin” Danny Graves? Graves came to the Reds at the trade deadline  in 1997 in a big deal that gave the Reds Scott Winchester to go along with Graves for Jeff Branson and John Smiley.

Graves went on the be the Reds all time save leader during his 9 years with the team. Graves ended his Reds days with 182 saves, a 3.94 ERA and a 1.371 WHIP to go along with two All Star appearances.

Sean Casey

You can’t mention the Reds in the late 90’s-early 2000’s without mentioning “the Mayor” Sean Casey. Casey, a three-time All-Star and the most recent Reds Hall of Famer was always a big time fan favorite.

Casey, acquired in 1998 for Dave Burba was quite the grab for the Reds, although it was a tough decision to decide between Sean Casey or Paul Konerko.

During his tenure in Cincinnati Sean was a .305 hitter, but put together an impressive .371 OBP, while filling up a lineup along with the names Ken Griffey Jr. Barry Larkin and Adam Dunn.

Brandon “Dat Dude” Phillips

This one has to be the most important. Since coming to Cincinnati in 2006 from the Indians, Brandon Phillips has been a huge part of the Cincinnati Reds taking the Franchise to a whole new level.

So far in his seven seasons with the Reds, Phillips has collected three Gold Gloves, two All Star appearances, and a Silver Slugger award. Not to mention night in and night out, there isn’t anyone that can do the things he does defensively.

Phillips has helped the Reds win two NL Central Championships and has come up big so far for the team in their two playoff appearances. With a long-term contract, we can expect to see the same things from “Dat Dude.”