All-time best Reds starting lineup based on WAR

6. All-time best Reds starting lineup: Barry Larkin, SS

It seems odd that Barry Larkin, the starting shortstop for the all-time best lineup in Cincinnati Reds history, would be batting sixth. But, that just shows you how much talent is sitting atop this group of all-time greats.

Under normal circumstances, you might expect to se Larkin hitting second or perhaps even lead off. But, with the likes fo Peter Rose and Joe Morgan batting No. 1 and No. 2 respectively, Larkin's lack of power lands him down at No. 6.

That's not to say that Larkin's bat didn't have pop. In 1996, Larkin became the first-ever shortstop to hit 30 home runs and record 30 stolen bases. That was the lone season, however, in which the Hall of Famer would eclipse 30 dingers. Only once more (1991) in Larkin's career would he hit at least 20 round trippers.

But no one is going to take anything away from the defensive wizardry that Larkin put on display nearly every night. Larkin took home three Gold Gloves and went to a dozen All-Star Games while also leading the way in the Reds wire-to-wire World Championship in 1990.

Barry Larkin's 70.5 bWAR during his 19 seasons in the Queen City rank him behind only Pete Rose and Johnny Bench. It's hard to talk about the Mount Rushmore of Reds greats and not mention Larkin.