Cincinnati Reds: Top 5 third basemen over the last 50 years

Who are the Top 5 third basemen to play for Cincinnati Reds over the last 50 years?

The Cincinnati Reds have a storied legacy. As the first professional sports franchise in the United  States, their history goes back over a century. The Reds have been fortunate enough to maintain the services of some of the baseball’s greats.

Most Reds fans fondly remember The Big Red Machine of the 1970’s, Tom Browning‘s perfect game in 1988, Pete Rose‘s 4,192nd hit and the miracle run of the 1990 Reds team that swept the heavily-favored Oakland A’s.

Third base has been home for some of the Reds’ best over the years. “Spuds” and “The Toddfather” are a few names that shined at the hot corner. Let’s take a look back over the last 50 years (1969 – 2018) to see who are the Top 5 third basemen for the Reds.

5. Aaron Boone (1997-2003)

Before he was named the manager of the New York Yankees, Aaron Boone played third base for the Cincinnati Reds. Boone was selected by the Reds in the third round of the 1994 MLB Draft. After three years in the Reds’ minor league system, Boone made his Major League debut on June 20, 1997. In an odd turn of events, Boone was thrown out at the plate and of the game in his first game with the Reds.

Boone has three family members who played in the Majors, and two of them also suited up for the Reds. Aaron’s late-grandfather Ray Roone played for six Major League teams over a 13-year career. Aaron’s father Bob managed the Reds from 2001-2003 and his brother Bret occupied second base for the Redlegs from 1994-1998.

Aaron Boone has the distinction of being the last player to hit a home run at the old Riverfront Stadium. Boone’s round-tripper in the eighth inning off Phillies’ reliever Dan Plesac was his 25th of the season, and the last homer hit at Riverfront Stadium, as the Reds moved into Great American Ball Park the following year.

Boone played 668 career games with the Reds over 7 seasons before being dealt to the New York Yankees on July 31, 2003. Boone hit .271 with the Reds and had a .326 OBP during his time in Cincinnati.

The most memorable moment of Boone’s career did not come with the Reds, but rather the Yankees. During Game 7 of the ALCS against the rival Boston Red Sox, Boone his a towering shot off Tim Wakefield in the bottom of the 11th inning that sent the Yankees to the World Series. The Yanks would eventually fall the World Champion Florida Marlins in six games.