Which 2 Reds players in team history would be at the front and back of the phonebook?
When was the last time you picked up a phonebook?
The Cincinnati Reds have been around for a long time. Officially the Reds franchise was established in 1881, but the first ever professional sports team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, was formed in 1869.
Those Red Stockings were actually playing baseball before Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. Bell was awarded the first patent for the telephone 1876.
Long gone, of course, are the old rotary phones. There's no operator on the end of the line anymore. Heck, even cordless phones and answering machines are a thing of the past.
Which 2 Reds players in team history would be at the front and back of the phonebook?
While no one really uses phonebooks anymore, the concept is still relevant. In essence, just like the contacts on you mobile phone, a phonebook would list friends and family you'd like to keep in touch with, and do so in alaphabetic order.
So on the current Cincinnati Reds team, rookie pitcher Andrew Abbott would be the first name listed and reliever Alex Young would be bringing up the rear. But, looking back through more than 100 years of team history, which two players would be at the front and back of the Reds phonebook?
Now, if this were just about pitchers, Abbott would actually get the nod. But, there was a player most Reds fans will never, ever remember named Andy Abad who suited up for Cincinnati during the 2006 season.
Abad a left-handed hitter who was originally drafted in the 63rd-round, you read that right, of the 1990 MLB Draft. Abad eventually decided to go a lesser known school in 1991 called Middle State Georgia University. Abad was then drafted in the 16th-round of the 1993 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox.
Abad bounced around the minor leagues for years. Abad also saw time in the Mexican Leagues and overseas in the Japan Pacific League. Abad actually broke camp with the Cincinnati Reds in 2006 and was on the team's Opening Day roster. Abad played in five games, received five plate appearances, drew two walks, and was then sent down to Triple-A Louisville for the remainder of the season.
Some Reds fans may remember T.J. Zeuch from last season, but he wouldn't be at the very back of the Cincinnati Reds phonebook. That honor actually goes to George Zuverink. A right-handed pitcher from the state of Michigan, Zuverink played for the Reds in 1954.
A side-arm sinker ball pitcher according to SABR.org, Zuverink appeared in just two games for the Cincinnati Redlegs. In six innings of work, Zuverink allowed 10 hits and six runs while striking out two batters.
Zuverink was sold to the Detroit Tigers after those two performance and went on to play five years for the Baltimore Orioles. Zuverink led the leagues twice in relief appearances and recorded an AL-best 16 saves in 1956.
While no one really uses a phonebook today, back when these two players suited up for the Cincinnati Reds they certainly did.