Central Business District in Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Cincinnati Reds

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 24, 2021

1. Cincinnati Reds Marker

Inscription. The 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings made history not only as the most dominant baseball club of its time, but also as the first band of professional ballplayers. Cincinnati's decision to pay players proved to be a success, and other cities soon began establishing their own professional clubs throughout America. In 1876, the Reds joined the newly formed National League. Baseball soon became one of Cincinnati's most popular entertainment venues, aided in part by the team's World Series titles in 1919 and 1940. Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine," featuring players such as Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Pete Rose, dominated baseball in the 1970s, picking up additional titles in 1975 and 1976. A surprise wire-to-wire title again in 1990 strengthened the Reds' legacy and helped ensure future generations of Reds fans.

Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 54-31.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 39° 5.883′ N,

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84° 30.468′ W. Marker is in Cincinnati, Ohio, in Hamilton County. It is in the Central Business District. It is at the intersection of Main Street and West 2nd Street, on the left when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Main Street, Cincinnati OH 45202, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest

and in the Ohio River Valley.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Joe Nuxhall (within shouting distance of this marker); Findlay Market Opening Day Parade (within shouting distance of this marker); Ted Kluszewski (within shouting distance of this marker); Purple Heart Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Frank Robinson (within shouting distance of this marker); Ernie Lombardi

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 24, 2021

2. Cincinnati Reds Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); The Wounded Warrior (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnny Lee Bench (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cincinnati.

Also see . . . Big Red Machine Wikipedia Page.

The Big Red Machine is a nickname for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team that dominated the National League from 1970 to 1979 and is widely recognized as being among the best in baseball history. The "Great Eight" nickname referred to the frequent starting lineup of Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Tony Pérez, Johnny Bench, Dave Concepción, George Foster, Ken Griffey, and Cesar Gerónimo.

(Submitted on August 17, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Baker, April 24, 2021

3. Cincinnati Reds Marker

The marker is at lower left.

Cincinnati Stadium Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Melanie Born, April 14, 2009

4. Cincinnati Stadium Entrance

2011 Bronze of Johnny Bench by Tom Tsuchiya image. Click for full size.

Photograph by unknown photographer via Wikipedia Commons, May 6, 2017

5. 2011 Bronze of Johnny Bench by Tom Tsuchiya

Johnny Bench image. Click for full size.

Crop of photograph by Roy Erickson via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1980

6. Johnny Bench

Crop of undated photograph by John Vander Haagen via Wikipedia Commons

7. Joe Morgan

Pete Rose walking onto the field image. Click for full size.

Crop of photograph by unknown photographer via Wikipedia Commons, circa 1975

8. Pete Rose walking onto the field

Cincinnati Reds image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, July 16, 2023

9. Cincinnati Reds

The view of the Great American Ball Park from the Ohio River.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2009, by Melanie Born of Parma, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,115 times since then and 38 times this year. Last updated on May 2, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 24, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on June 13, 2009, by Melanie Born of Parma, Ohio. 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on May 6, 2017, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 9. submitted on July 17, 2023, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.