Top 5 Cincinnati Reds killers since 1970: The hitters edition

Since 1970, these five hitters have given Reds pitchers and fans more sleepless nights than they care to remember.

How many times have Cincinnati Reds fans uttered a collective sigh when St. Louis’ Yadier Molina or Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun stepped to the plate with runners on base in a pressure situation? Let me answer that question for you—way too many to mention.

Inevitably, Molina or Braun would offer a crushing blow to the Reds, leaving fans to shake their heads in disgust while the seemingly never-ending nightmare awaited their nights’ sleep. Frequently we’re left wondering if Molina and Braun do this to every team, or is it just our beloved Redlegs they appear to take such pleasure in torturing.

With the opening of Riverfront Stadium in 1970 as a starting point, we’re going to look at the past 50 years to determine just who ranks as Cincinnati’s greatest nemesis. What you’ll find are familiar names and players with plaques in Cooperstown and others with unequaled resumés.

Even though Molina and Braun failed to crack the Top Five, shocking I know, they deserve dishonorable mention for the trail of broken hearts they’ve left in their wake. So without further ado, here are the opponents who made a living demolishing Cincinnati Reds pitching.