Cincinnati Reds: Who’s on the Mount Rushmore of former players?

DENVER, CO - JUNE 7: Mascots representing the past Presidents that reside on Mount Rushmore take in a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 7, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 5-4 in 10 innings to end their eight game losing streak. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JUNE 7: Mascots representing the past Presidents that reside on Mount Rushmore take in a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on June 7, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Dodgers 5-4 in 10 innings to end their eight game losing streak. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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Cincinnati Reds
COOPERSTOWN, NY – JULY 22: Barry Larkin of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Reds have a rich baseball history. After 150 years, who should be on the Mount Rushmore of former Reds greats?

Every Reds fan has their favorite former player. Let’s face it, Reds Country has been home to some of the greatest players in the history of baseball. But, when you talk about the Mount Rushmore of former players, we’re looking for the best of the best. So, which four players would appear on the Mount Rushmore of former Cincinnati Reds greats?

Before we get too far removed, let me be clear that this list includes only former players. While some fans, myself included could make the argument that Joey Votto is among the best to ever don a Cincinnati Reds uniform, for the purpose of this ensemble, we’re looking at just former players. Votto is still an active player.

That also means the likes of Sparky Anderson and Marty Brennaman will not be included either. While one may argue that Anderson and Brennaman were among the best at what they did during their time in the game, neither will be included. The late Powel Crosley Jr., who saved the Reds organization following his purchase of the franchise in 1934, will also be exempt.

Have you ever been curious as to why Gutzon Borglum, the artist who created Mount Rushmore, chose George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson to be represented in Keystone, South Dakota? The four presidents were chosen because they represented the birth, growth, development and preservation of the United States of America.

Though that’s an interesting fact about one of the nation’s most iconic sculptures, we’re going to stick with the criteria of the four best players to ever put on a Cincinnati Reds uniform. So, feel free to disagree, but here is our Mount Rushmore of former Reds players.

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