These Reds legends pulled off something fans in Cincinnati will never see again

One of the greatest ways to express your Cincinnati Reds pride as you age is to say we have "had" our all-time star... forever.

The Cincinnati Reds have a group of legends that achieved something truly unique in the history of baseball: they each played their entire careers for one team. The great part is these players were able to achieve this over several generations of baseball, including the pre-glove days of the 1800s through to today's free agency frenzy of the 2000s.

These Reds icons did something that feels impossible in today’s MLB

First, let us start with Joey Votto. He is the latest Reds legend to play his entire career with the organization. Votto played 17 years with the Reds, and played his first game in 2007 and his last game in 2023. Votto was an elite hitter for nearly two decades and won numerous awards, including being named the National League MVP. His personality and style are completely unique to the Reds and the city of Cincinnati. Even while the rest of the team changed around him and the team went through multiple rebuilds, Votto remained the same, a consistent presence in the Reds lineup and the only constant that reminded fans that they were watching the Reds.

Next, we have Barry Larkin, who played his entire 19-year professional career at shortstop for the Reds (1986-2004). For many Reds fans, Larkin became the face of the organization during this time period, the type of player you always thought would be wearing the Reds' uniform.

Dave Concepción was a member of the legendary Big Red Machine and played his entire career with the Reds (1970-1988). Concepción's number 13 jersey has been retired by the Reds and reminds fans that longevity is not just about playing a long time, but about remaining relevant and contributing to your team long enough to become a part of the organization's identity.

You cannot discuss this unique group of Reds legends without mentioning Johnny Bench. Bench played his entire 17-year professional career with the Reds (1967-1983). Not only did Bench define an era, but he also defined an era for the Reds.

Finally, we have Bid McPhee, who played his entire professional career with the Reds from 1882 to 1899. That is 18 years of service in an era where the sport itself was still trying to figure out what it wanted to look like.

Can Reds fans ever experience this again? With the current climate of opt-outs, deadline deals, and stars changing teams as often as they change shoes, it is difficult to imagine. Therefore, this list reads like a time capsule: not only is it about greatness, but also about loyalty that may never come back to the Reds.