We are going to need a history lesson to start off this one.

Will White was a member of the original Cincinnati Reds in the National League and played there for three seasons before the team was expelled from the NL because its owner refused to stop selling beer.  White would sign with the Detroit Wolverines for a year but returned to Cincinnati when they got a team in the American Association in 1881 (Cincinnati Red Stockings).  That team evolved into the Reds, and the original Reds are not part of the canon that is recognized by Major League Baseball; his accomplishments as a Red do not count, but as a Red Stocking do. 

Got it?

Let’s move on!

As one of the first bespectacled players of note, White would promptly lead the AA in Wins in his first two seasons as a Red Stocking, which was also complemented by an ERA Title.  His tally in Cincinnati (again, only the second version) saw him with an outstanding .663 Winning Percentage of .663 (136-69).  He also completed 204 of his 208 Starts with a WHIP of 1.096.  Not bad for someone who looked like he was an old school accountant!

Cincinnati inducted White into its Hall of Fame in 2004.

October 24 – 30, 1960

Brenda Lee

I Want to be Wanted

Frank Dwyer surfaced in the Cincinnati lineup in 1892 and matured instantly into the rotation's most dependable engine. He possessed a specialized ability to navigate the high-scoring environment of the late nineteenth century without relying on overwhelming velocity, utilizing a "pitch-to-contact" style that kept his defense engaged and his club in contention. He was a model of specialized volume, embarking on a stretch where he became a fixture of the Reds' staff for nearly a decade. He reached a remarkable zenith in the mid-90s, authoring back-to-back 20-win seasons and establishing himself as one of the most successful winners in the National League.

The most impressive aspect of his tenure was the quiet efficiency with which he accumulated victories. Dwyer was a master of the "long game," a technician who understood how to conserve his energy to lead the league in games started and innings pitched during his peak. He wasn't the type of hurler to dazzle a crowd with high strikeout totals, but he possessed a high-leverage mental toughness that allowed him to secure 133 wins in a Reds uniform. He served as the tactical heartbeat of the staff through a period of significant transition in the game, proving that his game was built on a sophisticated understanding of how to out-think and out-execute the hitters of his era.

His presence was defined by professional resilience and a durable arm that allowed him to shoulder a massive workload summer after summer. Dwyer remained a cornerstone of the Cincinnati staff until the turn of the century, navigating the physical demands of the "Old Ball Game" with a consistent, blue-collar approach. Whether he was grinding through a complete game on a hot Ohio afternoon or providing the veteran poise needed to stabilize a young roster, he competed with a focused intensity that made him a local favorite. He proved that a player could become a franchise pillar through a rare combination of grit and game-management skill.

In 1899, Dwyer left the organization as a statistical star of the nineteenth century. He departed with 133 victories, having transitioned from a wandering arm to one of the most prolific and respected pitchers in the history of the Cincinnati Reds.

With the Reds, Dwyer compiled a 133-100 record with 2,056.2 innings pitched and 172 complete games.

Arguably one of the greatest hitting Pitchers of his or possibly any era, Red Lucas was a solid presence on the mound winning 109 Games for Cincinnati.  His best season was in 1929 where he would lead the NL in WHIP, H/9 and finished 6th overall in MVP voting.  As for his hitting, he was a career .300 hitter with 293 Hits for the Reds. 

The Reds chose Lucas for their Hall of Fame in 1965.