The Cincinnati Reds have one of the richest baseball histories in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1882, the Reds have made 11 World Series appearances, winning 5 championships. Their roster over the decades has included some of the game’s all-time great players. This long tradition of excellence makes Reds baseball cards extremely popular with collectors.
Among the earliest and most desirable Reds cards are those featuring star players from the 1910s and 1920s. Pitchers like Pete Donohue, Dolf Luque, Eppa Rixey and Hod Eller can be found on T206 tobacco cards from those eras. Shortstop Dave Brain and outfielders Edd Roush and Irish Meusel also appear on those classic tobacco issues. Finding high grade examples of those early 20th century players in today’s market requires deep pockets, as mint T206 cards routinely sell for over $100,000.
The 1930s saw the first modern mass produced baseball cards inserted in packs of gum and candy. Star players of that generation like Frank McCormick, Ival Goodman and Paul Derringer are featured on iconic 1930s issues like Goudey and Play Ball. Paul Waner, one of the great hitters of the 1930s Reds, can be found on 1951 Bowman and 1953 Topps cards late in his career. His brother Lloyd Waner, who spent three seasons with Cincinnati from 1940-1942, has some scarce post-career cards as well.
The 1950s Reds teams that appeared in the1919 and 1940 World Series are represented by players on contemporaneous 1950s issues. Names like Ted Kluszewski, Roy McMillan, Gus Bell and rookie Frank Robinson dot the 1955 Topps and 1958 Topps sets highly sought after by collectors today. Robinson would go on to have a Hall of Fame career mostly with the Orioles, but his rookie card as a Red continues to be popular. Pitchers like Jim O’Toole and Joe Nuxhall, nicknamed “The Ol’ Left-Hander” for his long career mostly with Cincinnati, can also be found on 1950s cards.
The dominant Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s that won back-to-back World Series in 1975-1976 featured future Hall of Famers on their rosters with many desirable rookie and career cards. Catcher Johnny Bench is arguably one of the most iconic athletes ever featured on a baseball card. Highlights of his 11 Gold Glove and 2 MVP award winning career with Cincinnati can be followed across his impressive rookie and subsequent Topps issues from 1968-1983. Outfielders Pete Rose, Tony Perez and George Foster and pitchers Tom Seaver, Don Gullett and Joe Morgan round out the core of stars that led the Reds to prominence. Their rookie and action cards from the early 1970s are still highly sought prizes for any baseball card collection.
The 1980s Reds teams saw the next generation of stars emerge. Eric Davis, Barry Larkin and Chris Sabo donned the Cincinnati red uniforms during the decade. Davis’ electric play was captured on his rookie card from the 1981 Fleer set while Larkin and Sabo debuted on Topps issues in 1986 and 1988 respectively. Joey Votto broke in with Cincinnati in 2008 and won the National League MVP award in 2010. His impressive career there is represented by rookie cards from 2008 Bowman Chrome and Bowman Sterling among others.
In the modern era from the 1990s on, the internet has allowed for easier collecting of vintage Reds cards online. While the early 20th century tobacco issues remain out of reach price-wise for most, completed sets from the 1930s-60s can be built affordably using the PSA/DNA authenticated vintage singles readily available. RCs and stars from the Big Red Machine period in the 70s remain mainstream wants. More contemporary stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, Jay Bruce and current starters Sonny Gray and Trevor Bauer round out options for building a formidable Reds-centric collection spanning both vintage and modern issues.
Whether pursuing iconic names from the early years, chasing treasures from the dynasty Big Red Machine teams or acquiring today’s budding talents, Reds baseball cards continue to appeal to collectors more than 135 years after the franchise’s founding. The rich history of the organization in Cincinnati and parade of superstars that have worn its uniform over the decades ensure collectibles tied to the club will retain value for years to come. With such a storied past and hopeful future, interest in Reds cards shows no signs of slowing among the hobby’s vast enthusiast base.
