Was the Big Red Machine the Greatest Team Ever?

[@Uns_Maps_8]

No one talks much about Concepcion. He was a magnificent defensive shortstop, with a cannon arm. And a good batter, with occasional power. He and Morgan locked the middle of the field. And one of the few of the Big RM that played his whole career for the Reds. He deserved the HoF.

[@BBUYTTV]

Concepcion was definitely a key piece and an unbelievable fielder. They definitely wouldn’t have been the same without him

[@spoonful1018]

Great Comment

[@garryharris3777]

Dave Concepcion would be a HOF except Sparky platooned him his first five years.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@garryharris3777 good point!

[@docadams7099]

I agree with you; Concepcion should be in Cooperstown. For my money, Joe Nuxhall and Clay Carroll should be there, too.

[@damongwinn]

Caesar Geronimo also finished 25th in MVP voting in 1976. As the 8th hitter for the Big Red Machine. Truly astounding.

[@LisaCarnes-c6p]

Cesar is so often overlooked when discussing that team. He was vital to their success.

[@brucemorton7787]

When Johnny Bench bats seventh, as he did in the 1976 World Series, you have an incredible team.

[@biffmarcum5014]

Cesar Geronimo is overlooked because for most of his career he couldn't hit that well, BUT he was one of the best defensive centerfielders there ever was! He certainly is the best that on one talks about. I don't think there is any centerfielder with a better arm and his range was great. He was before they had range factor but everyone knew he had great range. He is in top 10 career in range factor for centerfielders. At the time he competed with Cedeno(former teammates) for golden glove in center. Cedeno had a weaker arm(but good arm|) and less range but is one of the All time best centerfielders in field percentage.

[@kibitznec700]

And in 1976 hit 307 as an 8th batter in the lineup.

[@kja9881]

Yes truly a team of stars including Caesar Geronimo!

[@billbergendahl2911]

I saw the Big Red Machine play in person at Riverfront Stadium in 1976. When I was in college in the middle 1970s I listened to many of their games on radio. Marty Brenneman and Joe Nuxall were the announcers. Joe Morgan was the spark plug of the Big Red Machine.

[@BBUYTTV]

No doubt! I love Joe Morgan and watched him a lot as a kid. In my mind he was in the top 1 or 2 2nd baseman of all time. So exciting to watch and a really good announcer as well! Thank you for the comment.

[@tomodonovan5931]

Focus, by Hocus Pocus was always the intro. Its all you heard on Reds Baseball in the mid 70s.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@tomodonovan5931 that’s right! Thank you for sharing!

[@007artimus]

Joe Morgan was pure talent and class. I was a Pirate fan but had to respect the Reds. I think I cried when Bob Moose threw that wild pitch in the playoffs. They were one juggernaut of a team and it’s fun to revisit their greatness.

[@davidbracken6529]

You’re right! …brings back memories of rallies he started. Their chemistry turned them into. Cylinders of a gun…each one could go off & another would follow. I miss listening to Reds radio games w/Dad.

[@johnbroadway4196]

I grew up A Pittsburgh Pirates Fan, I was A very young Lad then and spent my Summers listening to the Gunner on KDKA. And those games against the Reds were classic Baseball games. Great Baseball never dies. It lives on in every young boy from then.

[@BBUYTTV]

That is a great memory. Thank you for sharing!

[@garryharris3777]

The Pittsburgh Lumber Company was a pretty good nickname too.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@garryharris3777 No Doubt!

[@boffo63]

You were our greatest rival imho. Respect!

[@BBUYTTV]

@@boffo63 two great teams in that decade!

[@flame-sky7148]

Reds 1976: They swept the Phillies and the Yankees in the postseason. Should have 4 Hall of Famers in the infield: (Bench, Rose, Morgan and Perez). 6 MVPs in the decade Bench 70’,72’, Morgan 75’, 76, Rose 73, Foster 77. HOF manager Sparky Offense: Reds ranked 1st in the NL in R, H, HR, 2B, 3B, BB, SB, AVG, OBP, SLG, OPS,TB. 7 All Stars on the Reds in 1976 (including Griffey Sr., Rose, Bench, Morgan, Perez, Concepcion, Foster) Defense: 1976 Reds ranked 1st in Fielding % and E committed, Reds had 4 Gold Glovers (Bench, Morgan, Concepción, Geronimo) Career: (Bench 10 GG, Morgan 5 GG, Geronimo 4 GG, Concepcion 5 GG), strong up the middle. Pitching: Reds had 7 pitchers that had double digit wins. 1st in Wins, 1st in Saves, Concepcion was a 9 time All Star, Foster 5 time All Star, Griffey Sr. was a 3 time All Star. Lastly greatest catcher ever: Bench

[@flame-sky7148]

One of the catalyst of the Big Red Machine that hardly anybody talks about, is the flexibility of Pete Rose to be able to play multiple positions that allowed for a certain player to play "their" position within the Machine. Rose played over 600 games at 2B, he couldn't do that if Morgan's on the team. Rose played over 600 games at LF, couldn't do that when George Foster is on the team, 900 games at 1B, well Tony Perez has to be there, so his 600 games at 3B worked out best for the Machine. Rose also played other positions.

[@ronofficial5958]

Hall of Famer...

[@scottsherman6889]

At the beginning of 1975, the Reds brought John Vuckovich in to play third. He didn't work out and in April Pete Rose moved there and the rest is history.

[@flame-sky7148]

And that was the first season George Foster would play the majority of his games in LF.

[@davidbracken6529]

…excellent comments! Rose was the only All Star @ 5positions. Reminds me of what Marcus Allen’s father taught him - whatever you can do for the team to win, do it.

[@trwent]

​@@scottsherman6889John Vukovich? Sounds like a race car driver.

[@jerryg2232]

There were no weak links on the Roster. You could count on any of them to come through when needed. Awesome to watch or listen to them play.

[@ghill628]

I lived in Dayton from 1970 to 1976 and my dad's company had season tickets to the Reds. I swear, I had no idea how lucky I was to see the World Series twice in a four year period (1972 & 1975). All I do know is that that team was so good. So, so very good. I shudder to think how good they could have been if they hadn't traded Frank Robinson or if the NL had the DH back then so they could have kept Lee May. Seriously, they were so stacked.

[@BBUYTTV]

Thank you for sharing the memory that is a great one! In my mind, maybe the best top to bottom lineup.

[@edvonblue]

I think Hal McRae started out with the Reds also. Their farm system definitely produced some dudes who could hit.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@edvonblue he did play for them in the early 70s and then I think he got injured and traded to the Royals. Thank you for the comment!

[@ghill628]

@@edvonblue They had Hal McRae too, but that was a real log-jam at 1B since Tony couldn't play anywhere else and May & McRae were both first basemen. They also traded away Vada Pinson in 1968. I mean, they were loaded with talent in the 1960's & '70's. They just didn't have enough positions for everyone. That's a nice problem to have!

[@edvonblue]

@@ghill628 McRae played OF also. Imagine of they had Foster, Griffey and McRae in the outfield throughout the 70s.

[@h0gwartz]

The 76 Reds were the most impressive team I've ever seen. Bench was the only starter to not hit over .300 but made up for it by winning WS MVP. They swept right through the post-season. In the clincher vs the Phillies they trailed by 2 in the bottom of the 9th and Bench and Foster led off with back to back homers. They then pushed across another run to complete the sweep. The Philly sports page said if the Reds needed 10 runs they probably would have got them too. In the 4 game sweep of the Yanks, the Reds starters pitched into the 7th or later in all 4 games and one reliever finished each game. They completely shut down Mickey Rivers and also got to use Driessen as a DH so their lineup was overpowering.

[@BBUYTTV]

The lineup was just unbelievable

[@robertmurdock1848]

Concepcion didn't hit .300 in 76. 78 and 81 were his .300 seasons.

[@h0gwartz]

@@robertmurdock1848 actually neither did Perez, my bad

[@GillAgainsIsland12]

Very few players were able to steal a base against Bench. He even often threw out runners on first who were taking too big a lead.

[@spoonful1018]

As a Boston boy, watching the 75' World Series was one of the most fun times of my life

[@BBUYTTV]

Unbelievable drama in that series. Unfortunately your team came out on the wrong end. Thanks!

[@cookie1054]

I’m a Cincinnati boy, and although we won that series no one in Cincy has anything but respect for the Red Sox. Great teams only emerge from great competition.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@cookie1054 well put!

[@docadams7099]

I am a Reds fan through and through, but I always say that the Red Sox impressed me, too. Both teams were loaded to the gills with players in the HOF and those who should be in the HOF. Fisk absolutely was the AL's answer to Johnny Bench in every way. I was just as thrilled for him as i was for Tony Perez, Sparky Anderson, and Marty Brennaman when they all were elected to the HOF. They make up a great HOF class. Yaz, Bench, Lynn, and Morgan are there. And Rose, Concepcion, Tiant, Carroll, Burleson, Wise, Nuxhall, Stockton, and Evans belong there, too.

[@docadams7099]

I forgot Jim Rice. He is in the Hall, too, well-deserved.

[@charlesh946]

yes yes and yes! Great 8! Never to be forgotten by this living Fan!

[@BBUYTTV]

I love it! Thank you for the comment!

[@michaell874]

The Big Red Machine was scary! Bench, Perez, Morgan, Rose, Concepcion, Foster, Geronimo and Griffey.

[@MarlenaScearce]

❤❤❤❤ 7:46

[@Blues-brother6]

The great 8…. Best starting lineup in baseball history!

[@michaell874]

@ I absolutely agree. That team was put together extremely well. They were very strong defensively up the middle with Bench, Morgan, Concepcion and Cesar Geronimo. That had great table setters and speed with guys who made great contact with the ball at the top of the order with Rose, Griffey and Morgan. They had power from Morgan, Perez, Bench and Foster, and Geronimo and Concepcion still kept the bottom of the order strong.

[@JohnJohn-eg9rh]

I always loved the big red machine. I’m a HUGE fan of Johnny Bench and Pete Rose. I love this video.

[@BBUYTTV]

Me too! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching.

[@DanHolmes-o9b]

and Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, etc, etc...

[@BBUYTTV]

@@DanHolmes-o9b I love Joe Morgan. To me he is probably the best all time at his position! A great announcer too!

[@tonyr.3435]

​@@BBUYTTVAgreed. His career is a gimme, but he really was a great announcer along with his broadcast partner, I forget his name atm, he calls the Giants games now I believe, we're very good together.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@tonyr.3435 Jon Miller was his broadcast partner. You are right he is really good, and together they were great!

[@norobbery]

David Concepcion should be in the MLB Hall of Fame! Complete player.

[@BBUYTTV]

I totally agree. Thank you for the comment

[@biffmarcum5014]

I agree he was rare for his time, a guy that could hit and field at shortstop! Most shortstops back then hit .220, especially if they were above average fielders!

[@docadams7099]

Tony Perez is my favorite Red of all-time, but this club was great all the way around. Clay Carroll was a terrific reliever, Gullett and Nolan were great starting pitchers. Boy, could Jack Billingham crank things up in the postseason! Morgan was great at 2B, Bench is the greatest catcher in Reds history, plus the Reds had The Hit King in Rose, Geronimo was a 4-time Gold Glove CF, Morgan and Concepcion had several Gold Glove Awards each; Bench had a whopping 10 of them! Perez was absolutely feared by the opposition in the clutch, and nobody could outwit Anderson. Griffey nearly won a batting title in 1976. Foster had three RBI titles, two HR titles, and an MVP award in 1977. Morgan won two MVP honors in 1975-76, plus Pete got one in 1973. The Reds were simply stacked.

[@BBUYTTV]

Definitely stacked from top to bottom. Thank you for sharing!

[@biffmarcum5014]

@arturbello4213 Mike Lum never played enough to win Gold Glove, he was utility player. Yes he was a great outfielder as was Bill Russell, who put similar numbers in centerfield, but was moved to shortstop since the Dodgers still had Willie Davis another great centerfielder.

[@thomascaramela9699]

It was the greatest team ever to Cincinnati Reds fans..

[@BBUYTTV]

@@thomascaramela9699 no doubt!

[@timothyreiley3994]

The 1990 Reds. They would have been a tough out for the Big Red Machine in a World Series matchup.

[@BBUYTTV]

No doubt, both great championship teams!

[@pipepicasso8112]

This is crazy stats of “The Great Eight” when they in the lineup together from MLB article. One of the enduring myths surrounding the Big Red Machine is that Sparky Anderson rubber stamped his lineup card before each game with the names of Rose, Griffey, Morgan, Perez, Foster, Bench, Concepcion and Geronimo and forgot about them. The reality is that from its inception on May 9, 1975 through the end of the 1976 season, the Great Eight lineup only took the field as a unit in 63 regular season games. Sparky regularly inserted different players into the lineup both to rest his stars and to keep his bench players fresh. The postseason was a different story as the Great Eight started each of the Reds’ 17 playoff and World Series games in 1975 and 1976. But on those comparatively rare occasions when the Great Eight were in the same lineup, the results were devastating for the opposition. When postseason games are added to the regular season total, the Great Eight started a total of 80 games together in 1975 and 1976. The Reds record in those games was an astonishing 64-16, an .800 winning percentage that projected over a 162 game schedule produces a record of 130-32.

[@BBUYTTV]

Great comment! Thank you for sharing.

[@colormecolorado596]

GREAT stuff. and how crazy is that 1-8 hitting lineup!?!?!?! You'd think some super wealthy team would have that lineup, especially today, but it's just not easy to accomplish. that's why they're the greatest lineup ever with a few other teams certainly in the running, like the '27 Yankees

[@BBUYTTV]

@@colormecolorado596 different times for sure. They wouldn’t be able to afford that today

[@ericradford2142]

RIP Pete Rose, Sparky Anderson

[@docadams7099]

RIP also to Joe Morgan, Don Gullett, Pedro Borbon, and just about all the coaching staff as well as Joe Nuxhall.

[@alfjgist]

While you mentioned the Joe Morgan trade, you didn’t mention the trade that put the team over the top. Their World Series wins wouldn’t happen without the trade for George Foster. It was an underrated trade at the time. That allowed Rose to move to 3rd base to finally shore up the infield

[@BBUYTTV]

Good comment! Thank you for the added context!

[@haroldsmyth6685]

Without billingham they might not win in75. Got quality innings to go to pen. They were always in the game too

[@haroldsmyth6685]

@@BBUYTTV question if rice plays left yaz is at first. You lose left field defense. But coopers bat killed them anyway. He could only field?

[@BBUYTTV]

@@haroldsmyth6685 No doubt!

[@BBUYTTV]

@@haroldsmyth6685 Probably the best play would be to have Yaz in left, Rice at DH and Cooper at first

[@joeyjamison5772]

I still remember how they steamrollered the NY Yankees in '76. Oh, what a sweet moment!

[@scottsherman6889]

Look at Joe Morgan's two MVP years, 1975 and 1976. Truly astounding!

[@BBUYTTV]

@@scottsherman6889 fantastic player!

[@ElsinoreRacer]

Right Place at The Right Time: I was in HS for the 75/76 seasons, my best friend's Dad was a Red's coach, and I saw most of their home games from anywhere we wanted to. I won't go on because it was totally unearned, but what a fantastic privilege it was. Snippets: trying to goad baserunners to steal so we could see Bench burn them down, Ken Griffey's friendly kid running around the waiting room outside the lockers while watching six dolled-up women all waiting (together) for Rawly Eastwick.

[@buckfan1969]

I'm prejudiced, as a longtime Reds fan, but I think the starting 8 was the best lineup I've ever seen. The pitching wasn't as good, but they were better than average in ERA. In 1976 they led the majors in hits, BA, Slugging %, doubles, homers, runs, and stolen bases. They also led the majors in fielding %, and their 'up the middle' defense of Geronimo, Concepcion, Morgan, and Bench was also the best I've ever seen. Their #8 hitter (Geronimo) hit .306 in 1976. Sadly, it all started to fall apart when they traded Tony Perez after the 1976 season.

[@BBUYTTV]

I agree it’s hard to find a better lineup. Thank for the comment

[@Jdwify]

I agree. Tony Perez was definitely the lynch pin that held the team together. I've heard that he was a great guy to be with in the clubhouse. Appropriately, he was there at first base on May 5, 1978 when Pete Rose got his 3,000th hit. Unfortunately, the Montreal Expos and Steve Rogers beat the Reds that night, 5-1.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@Jdwify thank you for sharing!

[@michaell874]

Based on their competition, which included great teams loaded with talent, I might say yes. They had speed, power, pitching, and was as good defensively that a team will get. Just think look at team. Bench, Perez, Morgan, Rose and Concepcion in the infield with Foster, Geronimo and Griffey in the outfield. And for those who do not know, Geronimo was about the best in the business with terrific range and a cannon for an arm. The great teams they had to get past included those great Dodgers teams from 70s, in addition to the Phillies and Pirates. The Red Sox had a stacked lineup and the Yankees also had fantastic pitching and defense, in addition to great speed and some pop in the lineup too.

[@buzztp5119]

People are allowed to bet on every pitch now so why can't Pete Rose be in the Hall of Fame. I bet it's hypocrisy. 😁

[@BBUYTTV]

Many people have made that exact argument. A lot of hypocrisy in sports these days particularly around the issue of gambling. Thank you for your comment!

[@roland7584]

When I bet on every pitch, I can't affect the game. When Pete bets on a game as a player and a manager, that leads to speculation that he's making decisions within the game that could affect the game itself.

[@buzztp5119]

@@roland7584 speculation is not proof and others have now been caught betting on their team and didn't get a lifetime suspension

[@jonnytlong]

@@roland7584except there is no way he would have bet against his team. That guy’s whole reason for waking up in the morning was to win. And not just win, to absolutely crush the other team.

[@johnflorio3576]

I saw the Reds play with my own eyes. It was mesmerizing.

[@BBUYTTV]

No doubt! The lineup was electric!

[@jerryg2232]

Greatest Team EVER ? YES ! From 1st. Game to World Series Win ! Argue all you want they were the GREATEST ! Please no Whining !

[@garryharris3777]

The pitching staff was underrated. The first reference to Fab Five was for Cincinnati’s very young pitchers: Gary Nolan, Don Gullett, Ross Grimsley, Milt Wilcox and Wayne Granger.

[@BBUYTTV]

That's cool, I am not sure I knew that they were called the Fab Five. Thank you for sharing!

[@JamesFranklin-hd4tm]

Hal McCoy, the Dayton Daily News sportswriter who covered the Reds for half a century, once speculated, "If the Big Red Machine played today, no onc could afford them" (quoting from memory). That's how good they were.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@JamesFranklin-hd4tm probably some truth to that!

[@longlakeshore]

Man they were fun to watch!

[@BBUYTTV]

No doubt, massive offense great defense, constant hard nosed play…the way baseball should be played!

[@Robert-qm5so]

In my opinion Johnny Bench was the master key to the Big Red Machine's success , nothing against Morgan, Rose, Perez and Foster but Johnny Bench was the catalyst with his big bat , glove, arm and know how on the Cincinnati's pitching staff

[@BBUYTTV]

Totally agree about Bench but in my mind Joe Morgan is a close second and the team really took off once he joined the team.

[@haroldsmyth6685]

​@@BBUYTTV bench had his hands full very sketchy pitching but bpen made the difference

[@BBUYTTV]

@@haroldsmyth6685 Sparky handled the pitching staff masterly and of course Bench was the steadying force behind the plate. Great comment! Thank you for your comment!

[@haroldsmyth6685]

If only nolan and gullett could stay healthy. Simpson also

[@BBUYTTV]

You make a good point. I would argue that it was Morgan. The team became truly dominant once he was traded to the Reds. Either way both are all timers at their respective positions and very dangerous players. Thank you for the comment!

[@jonforsyth5319]

Grew up watching these greats

[@ShawnC.T.]

The 1975 & 1976 "Big Red Machine" is the last National League team to win back to back World Series championships, and the 1976 team is the last MLB team to sweep the entire playoffs...

[@razkable]

I mean they didn't have al and nl cs series until 69 and 76 was when pre 7 game cs series began and before the divisional series and wild card round.... winning 11 of 12 like the 99 yanks or 05 white sox is harder than 7-0

[@Jdwify]

I grew up in Cincinnati during the Big Red Machine days. That time felt like it was never going to end. You'd attend, watch on tv, or have Marty and Joe on WLW and expect the Reds to win. I was always simply heartbroken when baseball season ended and the Reds hadn't made the post season or had been eliminated in the playoffs. I wish i could gi back into time and watch them play again. The 1975 season was magical for me as an 11 year old child with the Reds winning and burying the Los Angeles Dodgers by a whoppinng 20 games. Then, smearing the Pittsburgh Pirates in 3 games. The World Series was classic. Most of the games were decided by 1 run. The two teams were simply determined play their best and capitalize on the oppenent's mistakes. The Mets manager once said, "Playing tge Cincinnati Reds is like hitting yourself in the head with a hammer. It feels so good when you're done." I'm sure that many other managers from that time would say the same thing. This was a great video. Thanks for the memories.

[@BBUYTTV]

That is a great memory! Thank you for sharing!

[@terrancethomas9792]

WLW. I remember in the late 70’s picking up that station late at night in South Carolina. At night, you could hear the Reds, Pirates, Phillies, Mets, Indians, Orioles and sometimes the White Sox games. WLW in Cincinnati, WWL in New Orleans.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@terrancethomas9792 that’s awesome! Sometimes I think listening to a game on the radio is the best way to experience a game. Thank you for sharing your memory.

[@terrancethomas9792]

@@BBUYTTV, those were the days before cable and ESPN. Oddly, in my hometown, we could only get one TV station CBS.

[@GillAgainsIsland12]

Tell me about it. I was a Mets fan at that time. I dreaded when the Mets had to play the Reds. Almost a guaranteed loss.

[@charlierichardson9704]

Many people act like the 70's Oakland A's are chopped liver. I must disagree as strongly as anyone can.

[@domenicdurante966]

They beat the Reds without Reggie Jackson.

[@WineSippingCowboy]

Late Tom Seaver, who was with the Mets which lost to my A's praised that team. I have some details on the A's in my main post 📫

[@domenicdurante966]

@@Jimmy-i8x Ken Griffey Sr. was not on the 1972 Reds and Foster played in 59 games and batted .200. Reggie was one of the biggest stars in baseball in 1972.

[@razkable]

The a's feasted on a pretty bad al I feel in that era from 72 to 74 like post 1970 orioles the rest of the al didn't win again until the 1977 yankees...the 71 pirates big red machine exist...and the nl opponents were meh in 2 of those 3 world series

[@roland7584]

@@razkable They also feasted on 3 different teams that the NL offered up in those years. You simply can't take anything away from a 3-peat, yet everyone seems to do it when talking about the 70's. The Reds get the hype (not that they shouldn't get some hype, because that team was stacked), but the A's won 3 in a row, and both of those "meh" opponents beat the Reds to get there. If not for free agency, it's possible the A's could have been back for more in the latter part of the decade too, but instead the Yankees took some players and they became the team of the latter part of the decade.

[@homefrontforge]

It was mentioned, but the true strength of the Big Red Machine was that farm system.

[@toastnjam7384]

I was a Dodger fan living in LA during this time and every time they played, I expected the Reds to score multiple runs every inning. Such a potent lineup. I would be surprised when the Dodgers won a game, and the Dodgers had a very good team during this era.

[@BBUYTTV]

The lineup was so good, I agree. Fun to watch for sure! Thank you for the comment!

[@michaelsmith-bn6no]

In '75 the dodgers were the only team that finished above.500 against the reds. 10-8.

[@GillAgainsIsland12]

I lived through their glory days as a teenager and I say YES, they were the best for a few years.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@GillAgainsIsland12 definitely worthy to be in the discussion

[@stuartellner3172]

I don’t know if it was the greatest team I ever saw, but it was probably the greatest lineup I ever saw. It truly was a machine. Rose and Griffey at the top setting the table for Morgan, Bench, Perez, and Foster. And Geronimo and Concepcion adding that production at the bottom. That was about as flawless as you can get. The Torre Yankees dynasty was more complete because their pitching was better. Reds didn’t have anything close to Rivera in the pen. Regardless, the machine was a sight to behold when at their best.

[@BBUYTTV]

I agree, the lineup was unbelievable. Hall of farmers throughout the lineup and if they weren’t a hall of famer they were very good players. I agree the pitching rotation was the only potential flaw…but Sparky got creative there. Thank you for the comment!

[@garyvorhees73]

Best team of the modern era.

[@BBUYTTV]

I agree…lots of other opinions in the comments 😀Thank you for your comment!

[@thebobster1963]

was the 1972-73-74 Oakland A's.

[@razkable]

The 98 yanks would beat the 75 team 100%...the 99 yanks could beat the 75 team...the 76 reds and 98 yanks is a toss up series...

[@tonyrichard7966]

My idol Tony Perez! Best RBI man I ever saw. Period .

[@BBUYTTV]

Tony was a beast! Love watching him play

[@mikelockhart5528]

Tony Perez- defined by Webster’s Dictionary as clutch!! I’ve never to this day seen anybody better in the clutch than Tony Perez.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@mikelockhart5528 definitely a clutch player. The only player I think might beat him was Yogi Berra. Thank you for the comment

[@haroldsmyth6685]

@@BBUYTTV was either pitch to bench or perez. What would i do?

[@BBUYTTV]

@@haroldsmyth6685 If I had the choice I would probably pitch to Perez...not that you would be any better off, just a gut feel. Thank you for the comment!

[@michaelbruns449]

Why no highlight segment for George Foster? and he was only mentioned once for like two worthless seconds > 5:53

[@daryljay7057]

I'd say YES! These were players like Johnny Bench, who redefined how their positions are played in the game.

[@BBUYTTV]

Don’t forget about Joe Morgan too!

[@ronniewoodinsteadofmt2615]

When Joe Morgan had one foot on the green turf and the other on the dirt at first ,!! That messed up many pitchers

[@BBUYTTV]

No doubt! I contend that Joe Morgan was the spark that put the reds over the top. He was so much fun to watch!

[@ronniewoodinsteadofmt2615]

@@BBUYTTV well i just showed my age of 61. Lol . And I agree with you 100% . What a team that was and Sparky A was the tough ringleader. Take care and have a great year. Thanks Joey in Western Pennsylvania

[@BBUYTTV]

@@ronniewoodinsteadofmt2615 you too. You had really great comments!

[@mikeglaspey4562]

The oakland athletics of the early 70s had the greatest talent that matched the reds man for man . Then Charlie Finley wrecked everything .

[@BBUYTTV]

I would say the Reds had the better lineup but not by a lot...and the A's had the better pitching staff for sure. Also the A's can claim they beat them. Thank you for the comment!

[@docadams7099]

12:47 There should at least be four there: Rose, Morgan, Bench, and Perez. But, to be fair, that whole team was unstoppable.

[@BBUYTTV]

Definitely at least 4.

[@Luther-1968]

Best hitting team ever. But not enough depth pitching, only 2 great pitchers.

[@BBUYTTV]

Very true. Pitching was definitely their weakest point. Thank you for the comment!

[@michaelsmith-bn6no]

In '75, The reds had three 15 game winners as starters. All of their starters had records above .500. All of their relievers finished above .500. Nolan 15-9 Billingham 15-10 Gullett 15-4 Norman 12-4 Darcy 11-5 Kirby 10-6 Borbon 9-5 (bullpen) Carroll 7-5 (mostly bullpen & 2 starts) Their relievers combined for 50 saves: Eastwick 22, McEnaney 15, Borbon 5, Carroll 7, Darcy 1. Borbon had a rubber arm, and threw 125 inn. in 67 appearances. (more inn. than Kirby's 110.2) Maybe not the best staff ever, but certainly effective, especially with that reds lineup................

[@keeponrollin7922]

And still and has always been really@BBUYTTV

[@poec3292]

@@michaelsmith-bn6no What if you swapped their pitching staff out onto a mediocre team, they probably would be fairly mediocre.. Any pitcher would benefit from having that monster batting order giving you run support. The average fan probably couldn't name 1 pitcher on those 70s teams.. And their first guess would probably be Tom Seaver, after their run of dominance.

[@razkable]

​@@BBUYTTV 27 yankees have the big names 39 yanks have the big differential but the big red machine had the defense and hitting and 2 aces...the 98 yanks against the 76 reds in a world series would be a 7 game movie....

[@rbbrbb4715]

No question the best team I have ever watched

[@BBUYTTV]

They were certainly great! Thank you for the comment

[@razkable]

There will never be an nl lineup that deep again

[@paulneal7495]

Definitely one of the best. Early 70s As. A Few Yankee dynasties over the years. In my life time the 70s era Orioles and Pirates were good. Im sure there are more. And if course my 2015 KC ROYALS ! ( eight all stars ) 😂

[@domenicdurante966]

Starting eight were awesome. The bench (no pun intended) not so much. The '98 Yanks were deeper.

[@scottmessenger8639]

Been a Yankees fan since the 70s, and this question made me think? I would have to say that team may have had more individual outstanding players than any team I saw over the last 50 years. Not sure they are the best ever but definitely one of the best!

[@BBUYTTV]

They definitely had a killer lineup from top to bottom and a great manager, though the pitching was probably just average. The Yankees as you would expect are definitely up there for best team (particularly the 1927 Yanks), though I felt the Big Red Machine best represented the modern game. Thank you for the comment!

[@ace942]

Those 1970s Reds team were awesome. The 1976 Team might have been one of the best teams of all time.

[@BBUYTTV]

No doubt! Thank you for the comment!

[@awakenthewoke1091]

It's insane that they had an MVP on the team in 5 out of 6 years.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@awakenthewoke1091 definitely an impressive run

[@razkable]

Yeah that's why the early 70's a's and other all time great teams probably wouldn't beat the 76 reds team in a series....the 98 yanks or 99 playoff yanks maybe have a chance....the 39 yanks and 27 yanks probably can't adjust to the new era

[@davidbracken6529]

And 3 one-time rookies of the year!

[@georgesouthwick7000]

Certainly one of the best, perhaps the best NL team of all time. It is difficult to rank teams, because the game has changed so much in the past 100 years. Many would say the 1927 Yankees were the best of all time, but there is no way to know how they would have fared playing under today’s conditions, or no way to determine how the Big Red Machine would have fared playing in the 1920’s or 1930’s. Both would have to be considered in the top 25 of all time, but that’s probably as close as you can get.

[@BBUYTTV]

Great point, it is so difficult to compare teams and players across eras…especially with teams that no one has a living memory of today. It is fun to compare and contrast and speculate. 1927 Yankees surely have a lot of supporters and rightly so. Thank you for your thoughtful comment

[@dougsharp605]

Great position players great hitters

[@swoesteban5570]

How many other teams would have a .300 hitter, Cesar Geronimo, batting 8th? The Big Red Machine also won quite a few God Gloves.

[@razkable]

In the nl 0

[@davidbracken6529]

Bench is the best all around catcher of any time.

[@robertwenning4451]

Junior was not on the Big Red Machine but his father was a key player - Junior didn't join the Reds until the 90s.

[@BB12659]

I think the process is often missed in this discussion. I'm speaking of the system that produced these great players, the minors, the management, coaching staff, and of course the manager that led this team. I've heard and read a great deal about "Murder's Row," (Yankees), but I never saw them play. I'm not a Red's fan, but I'm a baseball fan, and greatness like these Reds doesn't come around every day.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@BB12659 great point!

[@keithkellogg5325]

Bench did things that was unheard of

[@BBUYTTV]

@@keithkellogg5325 he was one of a kind!

[@biffmarcum5014]

I think everyone thinks hitting with the Big Red Machine, but I think they were one of the all time best defensive teams in baseball. I think their starting pitching keeps them out of GOAT conversations though. Billingham was an excellent post season pitcher though as he would consistantly give you a good 6 to 7 innings. Seaver and Gullet decent. Seaver was not the same guy he was in New York.

[@BBUYTTV]

It’s a good point about their defense. They were very talented in the field.

[@randyhuke3773]

No question. If you disagree , you obviously weren't old enough to remember ! Everyone of these guys were top hitters and were clutch. All were outstanding defensive players. Rounded out with top pitching and the best manager ever, no team comes close !!!

[@BBUYTTV]

I agree for the most part. The lineup was untouchable. The pitching to me was good but not great…however, they were just so dominant. Thank you for the comment!

[@michaelsmith-bn6no]

And every starter had double digits in stolen bases, except for Rose, who had 9. Great team speed. Driessen had 14 steals coming off the bench.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@michaelsmith-bn6no that’s a rare thing these days

[@ron88303]

I'm older than old enough to remember. They two great seasons, but not necessarily the greatest seasons.

[@randyhuke3773]

@@ron88303 They were the type of team that could grind it out and find ways to win when it counted against any team. That is baseball !

[@stvinney]

The Redsox were a better team in 75' imo Greatest series ever and if Rice hadn't got hurt I think they win in 6 games

[@BBUYTTV]

Unfortunately we will never know for sure. Thank you for your comment!

[@stvinney]

@@BBUYTTV np I enjoyed the video

[@JosePerez-vz1qq]

The trade to acquire Joe Morgan annnnd the decision to move Pete Rose to allow the dominating bat of George Foster to play every day propelled the dominance of the Big Red Machine.

[@BBUYTTV]

I totally agree. Two key moves!

[@tylerbrickey6921]

The 75-76 Reds are the best team ever. The Great Eight only actually played 80 games over those two years (postseason included) where they were all in the lineup and they went 64-16 in those games. That’s an .800 winning percentage and a 130 win pace over 162 game season. They never lost a World Series when they were together. The 98 Yankees were great, no question. But their win total is inflated a little since it was an expansion year. They owned the first year Devil Rays that year, going 11-1. As for the 27 Yankees, they were obviously fantastic for their era. But it’s comparing apples and oranges because it was pre-integration. They simply can’t be compared because they’re playing against a severely shrunk down talent pool. This is why statistics from back in the day are crazy inflated.

[@tylerbrickey6921]

The 75-76 Reds are also the only team in the post-integration era to lead all of MLB in regular season wins and run differential while also winning the World Series in back to back years.

[@johngeraci3887]

They were the greatest team ever

[@BBUYTTV]

Thank you for the comment!

[@Alan-wo9mi]

When George Foster was asked what it was like playing for the Big Red Machine, Foster replied: "I WAS the Big Red Machine"! The Reds avg'd 95 wins a season from 70-79

[@miguel.ledesmaledesma1790]

Free agency really hurt this franchise,but you could still win even without not being a big or having one of the biggest markets in the game,or not having a big spending owner. You just have to be smarter about it. KC did it in 15 against my Mets and the Braves have found a way to offset big spending teams like my Mets,the Stankees,and Dodgers by buying out young stud’s free agency years and locking them up before they become unattainable and lose them. The Reds just have to be more resourceful thats all.

[@BBUYTTV]

Free agency has definitely made it tougher for smaller franchises, but like you said, it can still be done the teams just have to be smart about it. The Tampa Bay Rays are a perfect example. Thank you for the comment!

[@tomwelch6145]

Rest in peace Pete rose we love you

[@BBUYTTV]

@@tomwelch6145 played the game the way it was supposed to be played

[@isaiahford5951]

Their pitching wasn’t great, but it was obviously good enough because they won back to back World Series. Y’all talk like it was bad but I do think they are one of the greatest teams of all time

[@BBUYTTV]

I agree. The pitching was good enough to be a championship level team. Thank you for the comment

[@razkable]

The 75 team was weaker...the 76 team could beat any nl team ever and maybe all but 1 or 2 yankee teams and every other al franchise..thats it...

[@robertwheatley2471]

This team was certainly in the discussion of best ever and in my Top 3 with the 27 Yankees and 98 Yankees. Truly historic team. I wouldn't hesitate to put this lineup against any team past or present including the other 2 mentioned. Pitching might have been the weak link but the rest was so good and so dominant it didn't matter and more than made up for it.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@robertwheatley2471 pitching was definitely the weakest part of the team. But still pretty good

[@ChristopherAdam42]

Best national league team of all time in my opinion, there’s a few American League teams that may have been better. Offensively they were a juggernaut, as far as the 75 series being difficult the 1975 Red Sox were an amazing team. Multiple hall of famers on the Sox team as well. The 75 season was legendary, I have the book on it called The Machine with Pete on the cover flying through the air. If you’re not from Cincinnati you’ll never understand what Pete Rose meant to this city, especially the west side where I’m from. Pete’s the embodiment of this working class neighborhood , the majority of the people around here are some of the hardest working people I’ve ever been around, we don’t hire contractors around here, everybody does the work themselves on the house and cars. Every time I think of the Big Red Machine I think of Charlie Hustle and how proud I am to be from the same neighborhood.

[@BBUYTTV]

Without a doubt a great team. I always enjoyed watching Pete Rose. Thank you for sharing your memory,

[@flame-sky7148]

And that 1975 Red Sox team didn't have Jim Rice in that WS due to injury. Had he been in that series, man it would have been something. It's already one of the greatest world series of all time.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@flame-sky7148 you laid the case out well! Thanks!

[@waynejohanson1083]

NO, because they did not have really great pitching. But the starting 8 is as good as any.

[@BBUYTTV]

You are right, there pitching wasn't great, just good. What are your thoughts on the best team ever?

[@waynejohanson1083]

@@BBUYTTV You can start with 3 Yankees Teams 27 Yankees, 36 Yankees and 98 Yankees. And perhaps the A's Dynasty of the 70's.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@waynejohanson1083 I agree with the first two Yankees teams but the 1998 Yankees are overrated in my opinion

[@waynejohanson1083]

@@BBUYTTV But that 1998 team was dominating from start to finish but I do agree the first two Yankee teams I mentioned were better.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@waynejohanson1083 yes but to me the top to bottom of the lineup is just not that impressive. A lot of good but not great players. Definitely a great team but for me they just don’t rise above the others.

[@petercena9497]

Greatest starting 8 and Greatest manager. Pitching may keep them from the overall title.

[@rboltt]

As a fan of the Big Red Machine, I don't think any team can top the 1949-1953 Yankees.

[@billydurham4143]

27 YANKEES MUST BE INCLUDED IN ANY CONVERSATION

[@DavidBayliff]

the reds had one of the greatest lineup ive every live though the 76 team was good to

[@BBUYTTV]

@@DavidBayliff the lineup was unbelievable

[@petezereeeah]

The 76 Reds as the greatest team is a question of debate. But, that team was without question of he greatest starting 8 line up. They led in every offensive stat. Defense: all gold gloves up the middle- Bench, Concepcion, Morgan and Geronimo. Without question the greatest starting 8 of all time. And I'm a NJ Mets fan.

[@petezereeeah]

Forgot to mention.....that team swept the playoffs and the Yankees in the World Series.

[@BBUYTTV]

They definitely can make that argument

[@petezereeeah]

Billy Martin must have thought, "Dear God. They have Bench batting 6th. We're in trouble."

[@BBUYTTV]

@@petezereeeah scary thought…right?

[@petezereeeah]

@@BBUYTTV Bench was one of the best power hitters in the National League. He hit two HRs in game four in the Series. And he batted 6th.

[@cdjhyoung]

The Reds were great, maybe the greatest of their era. But you are ignoring the Yankees of the 30's and then the Yankees of the 1950's if you think the Reds are the greatest of all time. This from a Tigers fan that is grateful we got Sparky from the Reds.

[@BBUYTTV]

Thank you for your comment. I would favor the 1927 Yankees over those other Yankees squads. I was really focused particularly on the 1975-76 Reds years where I believe they may have had the best lineup top to bottom, with average pitching and a great manager. It has been great to see all of the suggestions of teams. I appreciate you sharing your point of view.

[@danzemacabre8899]

I dont know if they are the best ever, but i know for sure they are in the conversation

[@BBUYTTV]

@@danzemacabre8899 absolutely!

[@anthonyrowland9072]

That actually might be the 92-93 Blue Jays lol

[@BBUYTTV]

They were good but I don’t think they could touch those Reds teams

[@mrlafayette1964]

Really good, Rose my favorite all time player but the A's beat them in their one WS matchup and they won 3 straight to their 2. But I'll take my '98 Yankees against any team.

[@BBUYTTV]

Great comment. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have a tournament where all of these teams from over the years were able to go head to head and determine who the best of the best is? Sadly we will just have to speculate and everybody will make the case for their favorite team. Thank you for the comment!

[@keithkellogg5325]

75-76 what a team

[@BBUYTTV]

@@keithkellogg5325 unbelievable lineup!

[@arrowdave646]

1972-74 A's team enters the chat...

[@BBUYTTV]

There has been a lot of support for them in the comments, no doubt they could go toe to toe

[@robertbradley8702]

The Reds had a better batting order, but the A's had much better pitching and a better team until free agency broke it up.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@robertbradley8702 definitely agree with you on the first two point. Not sure I am completely there on the third. Thank you for the comment!

[@mcarlkv53]

they played weak NL teams from 1972-1974...pirates should have won the 1972 NLCS (lost on a freak play) the 1972 Pirates would have beaten the 1972 A's....

[@razkable]

​@@mcarlkv53 no I don't think they would of...that a's team three peated the pirates were not repeating....

[@SlipKid1975]

4 World Series appearances from 1970 to 1976 in which they won 2 and lost 2. The Oakland A’s had 3 straight World Series appearances from 1972 to 1974 and they won all 3 including 1972 against the Reds. Sure the Big Red Machine got all the publicity but they fell short against thenA’s who were the team of the 70’s.

[@kentuckybluegrass8695]

The 1990 series was the team that Rose built.

[@memphisguy55]

The General Manager of the Big Red Machine was Bob Howsam. No "n" in last name.

[@strongbad2002]

Why are there clips from the 1990 World Series in this video?

[@johngeraci3887]

Absolutely the greatest team

[@domenicdurante966]

'98 Yanks were the greatest.

[@rgrader3691]

They were a good team, but not great. If they had won the Series in 70, 72, and the divisional championship in 73; they would have been great. There was one thing missing that would have made them great. That was top of line starting pitching. They always had the mediocre starters and the good middle and short relief. I am 70 years old and have been a Reds fan all my life. Great? No, they always fell short of what I would call greatness. To this day I always wonder what might have been if 70, 72, 73 had turned out different.

[@BBUYTTV]

Great comment! Thank you for sharing!

[@garyfrancoeur3637]

Unfortunately, the Mets denied the Reds a rematch with the A’s in 73

[@BBUYTTV]

@@garyfrancoeur3637 that would have been an epic series if that had happened.

[@TimRobinson-hc7mt]

For the Reds fans out there yes the 75-76 teams were one of the best. I always have trouble saying one team in one year is the greatest of all time cuz then the Yankee fans scream about 1927-1961 1998 and so on. Like the greatest ballplayer of all time I go by the ear from the 19th century to the 1970's and the Reds of 1975-76 were one of the best but you have the A's and the Yanks in there too. Just my thoughts have a great day

[@lambo58]

YES they were!

[@orangehoof]

Forgive me for taking the question seriously. The 75-76 Reds were very good but they simply bludgeoned opponents. Their starting pitching wasn't that good and relied on a very deep bullpen. I'd give the edge to the Yankees of 1927, 1961 and 1998 before I would rank these Reds.

[@BBUYTTV]

While agree with your point on the pitching, the use of the bullpen was revolutionary at the time. I can see the 1927 Yankees though they didn’t play against non white players and never had to travel east of the Mississippi. As for the 1961 Yankees they were very good but I think over hyped due to the Maris and Mantle home run chase that year. Outside of Whitey Ford there pitching staff was pretty average. As for the 1998 Yankees there lineup wasn’t as good as the Reds and their only true difference maker on the pitching staff was Rivera. Thank you for the comment! It is always fun to debate.

[@Elchristo4666]

George Foster doesn’t get enough love

[@jonathanhines2441]

I believe so.

[@andygossard4293]

Foster went from like, 8 home runs 2 season prior to 51 in 77. The First juiced player?? As far as the question goes the 8 position players together were probably the best unit ever. But it all starts with Pete. Morgan also boosted the club quite a bit when he joined.

[@michaelmaynard58]

Best team I ever saw. Beat the Phillies in 3 and the Yankees in 4. Nobody like them

[@BBUYTTV]

One of the best for sure!

[@mjisthegoat88]

joe morgan is the player of the ‘70’s, right?

[@BBUYTTV]

One of the contenders for that title for sure. I loved watching Joe play. He was also a great announcer.

[@robertmurdock1848]

Out of everyone who played the entire 10 years of the 70s ( 70 to 79) , I'd lean towards Pete over Joe, more consistent production over the whole decade. Johnny deserves consideration. Non -Reds to consider: Reggie Jackson Willie Stargell Rod Carew, think of how much better his run production would have been in a better lineup. Tom Seaver Jim Palmer Steve Carlton

[@mjisthegoat88]

@@robertmurdock1848 morgan beats him handily in war, home runs, obp, slg, ops+, and stolen bases. he also probably deserved the mvp pete rose won.

[@BBUYTTV]

@@robertmurdock1848 all great players for sure

[@arthurfonzarelli9331]

The reason I take the 70's Reds over the 70's A's is because the A's never had a dominant season like the Reds had in 76. The A's caught a lot of breaks and played in a weak American league. Each year during the 70's the National League had 4-5 WS contenders. The AL only had 1-2.

[@BBUYTTV]

Great point!

[@flame-sky7148]

Well, the Reds had their breaks as well. When the A's won the 1972 World Series over the Reds, it was without Reggie Jackson who was injured in the ALCS. Also the Reds beat the Red Sox in the 1975 World Series without Jim Rice who had a stellar rookie season only bested by Fred Lynn. They would have put Yaz at 1B making it an even more potent lineup. I will admit the Reds did have to go through their rival the Pirates most of the time and the Reds getting the better of them, but that thing with Clemente in 1972 really hurt. The Reds got their breaks when other teams lost their star players.

[@michaelsmith-bn6no]

@@flame-sky7148 Did the Dodgers under-perform with their good lineup ? Lopes, Russell, Cey, Garvey, Buckner, Wynn, Ferguson, Yeager, Crawford.........and always had stellar pitching: Sutton, Messersmith, Rau, Hooton, Marshall.

[@flame-sky7148]

@@michaelsmith-bn6no I don't know that's a good question. I will have to look into it. That period was before my time. Sounds like they had a good team. It depends on which years,. They also had Dusty Baker for 8 years but that was from 76 to the early eighties.

[@paulmoody7059]

in `1976 swept the Yankees which was impressive, but in 1975 the barely beat a Boston team minus Jim Rice, so I'm not sold.

[@BBUYTTV]

Fair enough. Thank you for your comment!

[@kenw2225]

Definitely in the running.

[@BBUYTTV]

No doubt!@@kenw2225

[@DanHolmes-o9b]

Respectfully I believe 1927 Yankees

[@BBUYTTV]

@@DanHolmes-o9b you definitely have a good argument. To me it is a toss up. Thanks!