1975 Cincinnati Reds season

March 2026 November 2013 Cincinnati Reds 1975 World Series championsNational League championsNational League West champions National League West Riverfront Stadium Cincinnati 108–54 (.667) 1st place Louis Nippert Bob Howsam Sparky Anderson WLWT(Ken Coleman, Woody Woodward) WLW(Marty Brennaman, Joe Nuxhall) The 1975 Cincinnati Reds season was the 106th season for the franchise in Major League Baseball, and their 6th and 5th full season at Riverfront Stadium. The Reds dominated the league all season, and won the National League West Division with a record of 108 wins and 54 losses, the best record in MLB and finished 20 games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Reds went on to win the NLCS by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in three straight games, and the World Series in seven games over the Boston Red Sox. The Reds were managed by Sparky Anderson and played their home games at Riverfront Stadium. It was the first World Series championship for Cincinnati since 1940. The 1975 Reds are one of the few teams to consistently challenge the 1927 New York Yankees for the title of the best team in major league history. The Reds went 64–17 at home in 1975, which remains the best home record ever by a National League team. It is currently the second-best home record in MLB history, behind the 1961 Yankees, who went 65-16. Offseason October 25, 1974: Andy Kosco was released by the Reds.Andy Kosco at Baseball Reference October 25, 1974: Phil Gagliano was released by the Reds.Phil Gagliano at Baseball Reference January 2, 1975: Joe Henderson was purchased by the Reds from the Chicago White Sox.Joe Henderson at Baseball Reference Regular season The 1975 Reds clinched a playoff appearance on September 7, the earliest clinch date of any MLB team in a 162-game season.Earliest division-clinching dates in a 162-game season Joe Morgan was the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1975. Season standings Record vs. opponents CIN Notable transactions April 8, 1975: Roger Freed was purchased from the Reds by the Sultanes de Monterrey.Roger Freed at Baseball Reference May 6, 1975: Doug Corbett was signed as a free agent by the Reds.Doug Corbett at Baseball Reference Roster 1975 Cincinnati Reds Roster Pitchers 43 Jack Billingham 34 Pedro Borbón 36 Clay Carroll 51 Tom Carroll 44 Pat Darcy 49 Rawly Eastwick 35 Don Gullett 21 Tom Hall 31 Clay Kirby 37 Will McEnaney 38 Gary Nolan 32 Fred Norman Catchers  5 Johnny Bench  9 Bill Plummer 55 Don Werner Infielders 12 Darrel Chaney 13 Dave Concepción 17 Terry Crowley 22 Dan Driessen 23 Doug Flynn  8 Joe Morgan 24 Tony Pérez 14 Pete Rose 16 John Vukovich Outfielders 33 Ed Armbrister 15 George Foster 20 César Gerónimo 30 Ken Griffey 26 Merv Rettenmund Manager 10 Sparky Anderson Coaches  2 Alex Grammas 18 Ted Kluszewski  3 George Scherger  4 Larry Shepard Game log Regular season Legend Reds win Reds loss Postponement Clinched divisionBoldReds team member Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 1975 regular season game log: 108–54 (Home: 64–17; Away: 44–37) y Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 April: 12–11 (Home: 7–2; Away: 5–9) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#bfb;" | 1 || April 7, 1975 || 2:30 p.m. EST || Dodgers || W 2–1 (14) || Darcy (1–0) || Hough (0–1) || — || 3:23 || 52,526 || 1–0 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 2 || April 9, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EST || Dodgers || W 4–3 || Borbón (1–0) || Marshall (0–1) || — || 2:40 || 15,554 || 2–0 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 3 || April 10, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EST || Dodgers || W 7–6 || C. Carroll (1–0) || Hough (0–2) || — || 2:43 || 20,550 || 3–0 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 7 || April 14, 1975 || 8:15 p.m. EST || @ Dodgers || L 2–5 || Rau (1–0) || Billingham (0–1) || Marshall (1) || 2:22 || 45,502 || 4–3 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 8 || April 15, 1975 || 10:30 p.m. EST || @ Dodgers || L 1–3 || Sutton (2–0) || Kirby (0–1) || — || 2:05 || 31,663 || 4–4 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 9 || April 16, 1975 || 10:30 p.m. EST || @ Dodgers || L 6–7 || Marshall (1–1) || C. Carroll (1–1) || — || 3:06 || 36,578 || 4–5 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 10 || April 17, 1975 || 4:15 p.m. EST || @ Dodgers || L 4–5 (11) || Marshall (2–1) || C. Carroll (1–2) || — || 3:01 || 27,835 || 4–6 || L4 |- y Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 May: 16–10 (Home: 11–3; Away: 5–7) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || May 12, 1975 || 7:35 p.m. EDT || @ Phillies || colspan=8| Postponed (rain); Makeup: May 15 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 33 || May 13, 1975 || 7:35 p.m. EDT || @ Phillies || L 0–4 || Underwood (4–3) || Nolan (1–3) || — || 2:12 || 11,634 || 18–15 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 34|| May 14, 1975 || 7:35 p.m. EDT || @ Phillies || L 0–4 || Carlton (2–4) || Darcy (1–2) || — || 2:30 || 30,908 || 18–15 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 35 (1) || May 15, 1975 || 5:35 p.m. EDT || @ Phillies || L 3–6 || McGraw (2–0) || Gullett (4–2) || — || 2:20 || — || 18–16 || L4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 36 (2) || May 15, 1975 || 8:20 p.m. EDT || @ Phillies || L 3–5 || Garber (2–2) || Carroll (3–4) || McGraw (3) || 2:37 || 24,038 || 18–17 || L5 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 42 || May 23, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EDT || Phillies || W 5–2 || Nolan (3–3) || Christenson (0–1) || Carroll (3) || 2:05 || 36,197 || 22–20 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 43 || May 24, 1975 || 7:05 p.m. EDT || Phillies || W 3–2 (11) || Carroll (4–4) || McGraw (2–2) || — || 3:20 || 36,165 || 23–20 || W3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 44 || May 25, 1975 || 2:15 p.m. EDT || Phillies || W 4–3 || Kirby (3–3) || Lonborg (3–2) || Eastwick (1) || 2:29 || 25,72636,165 || 24–20 || W4 |- y Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 June: 21–7 (Home: 12–4; Away: 9–3) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || June 2, 1975 || 7:35 p.m. EDT || @ Pirates || colspan=8| Postponed (rain); Makeup: August 22 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 51 || June 3, 1975 || 7:35 p.m. EDT || @ Pirates || W 8–4 || Nolan (5–3) || Moose (0–2) || — || 2:26 || 9,438 || 30–21 || W3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 52 || June 4, 1975 || 7:35 p.m. EDT || @ Pirates || L 1–2 || Reuss (5–4) || Norman (2–2) || Hernández (1) || 2:25 || 13,754 || 30–22 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 57 || June 9, 1975 || 8:30 p.m. EDT || Pirates || L 2–9 || Reuss (6–4) || Norman (2–3) || — || 2:08 || 22,555 || 34–23 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 58 || June 10, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EDT || Pirates || L 5–9 || McDowell (2–1) || Darcy (1–3) || Hernández (2) || 2:45 || 19,107 || 34–24 || L2 |- y Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 July: 20–9 (Home: 14–3; Away: 6–6) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#bfb;" | 84 || July 7, 1975 || 8:25 p.m. EDT || Phillies || W 7–3 || Darcy (4–5) || Carlton (7–7) || — || 2:30 || 25,096 || 55–29 || W4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 85 || July 8, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EDT || Phillies || W 2–1 || Nolan (8–5) || Underwood (9–6) || Eastwick (4) || 2:14 || 28,479 || 56–29 || W5 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 86 || July 9, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EDT || Phillies || W 9–7 || Borbón (5–1) || Garber (7–5) || — || 2:25 || 28,789 || 57–29 || W6 |- style="background:#bbbfff;" | — || July 15, 1975 || 8:30 p.m. EDT || colspan="9"| 46th All-Star Game in Milwaukee, WI |- style="background:#fbb;" | 94 || July 20, 1975 || 1:35 p.m. EDT || @ Phillies || L 4–11 || Underwood (10–7) || Kirby (7–4) || Garber (7) || 2:51 || 44,134 || 62–32 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 95 || July 21, 1975 || 7:35 p.m. EDT || @ Phillies || W 10–4 || Darcy (5–5) || Schueler (3–2) || — || 2:48 || 43,698 || 63–32 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 99 (1) || July 25, 1975 || 5:35 p.m. EDT || Dodgers || L 3–4 || Messersmith (13–8) || Carroll (5–5) || Marshall (7) || 2:33 || — || 64–35 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 100 (2) || July 25, 1975 || 8:33 p.m. EDT || Dodgers || W 6–3 || Darcy (6–5) || Marshall (6–9) || Borbón (4) || 2:06 || 51,087 || 65–35 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 101 || July 26, 1975 || 2:15 p.m. EDT || Dodgers || W 5–3 || Billingham (11–5) || Rau (8–8) || Eastwick (9) || 2:33 || 50,236 || 66–35 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 102 || July 27, 1975 || 2:15 p.m. EDT || Dodgers || L 3–5 || Sutton (14–9) || T. Carroll (3–1) || Marshall (8) || 2:38 || 50,609 || 66–36 || L1 |- y Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 August: 21–8 (Home: 11–2; Away: 10–6) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#fbb;" | 107|| August 1, 1975 || 10:30 p.m. EDT || @ Dodgers || L 3–5 (10) || Hough (1–4) || Borbón (6–3) || — || 2:45 || 50,331 || 69–38 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 108 || August 2, 1975 || 10:00 p.m. EDT || @ Dodgers || W 1–0 || T. Carroll (4–1) || Messersmith (13–10) || C. Carroll (5) || 2:34 || 52,015 || 70–38 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 109 || August 3, 1975 || 4:00 p.m. EDT || @ Dodgers || W 3–1 || Darcy (8–5) || Rau (9–9) || Eastwick (10) || 2:15 || 51,667 || 71–38 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 118 || August 14, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EDT || Pirates || W 6–1 || Nolan (11–6) || Reuss (12–9) || — || 1:54 || 40,062 || 79–39 || W5 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 119 || August 15, 1975 || 8:15 p.m. EDT || Pirates || W 8–3 || Norman (8–3) || Rooker (8–9) || — || 2:20 || 45,003 || 80–39 || W6 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 120 || August 16, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EDT || Pirates || W 5–3 || Billingham (14–5) || Candelaria (6–3) || Eastwick (13) || 2:15 || 51,286 || 81–39 || W7 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 121 || August 17, 1975 || 2:15 p.m. EDT || Pirates || W 3–1 || Darcy (9–5) || Kison (9–10) || Eastwick (14) || 1:56 || 50,121 || 82–39 || W8 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 125 (1) || August 22, 1975 || 6:05 p.m. EDT || @ Pirates || L 2–7 || Demery (6–3) || Billingham (14–6) || — || 2:41 || — || 83–42 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 126 (2) || August 22, 1975 || 9:11 p.m. EDT || @ Pirates || L 2–4 || Candelaria (7–3) || McEnaney (4–2) || Giusti (14) || 2:04 || 46,756 || 83–43 || L4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 127 || August 23, 1975 || 2:15 p.m. EDT || @ Pirates || W 12–7 || Kirby (9–4) || Kison (9–11) || Eastwick (16) || 3:21 || 32,068 || 84–43 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 128 || August 24, 1975 || 1:35 p.m. EDT || @ Pirates || L 1–5 || Reuss (14–9) || Nolan (11–8) || — || 1:53 || 35,598 || 84–44 || L1 |- y Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 September: 18–9 (Home: 9–3; Away: 9–6) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Record Box/Streak |- style="background:#bfb;" | 138 || September 3, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EDT || Dodgers || W 13–2 || Nolan (13–8) || Messersmith (15–14) || — || 2:36 || 27,881 || 92–46 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 139 || September 4, 1975 || 8:05 p.m. EDT || Dodgers || L 2–3 || Rau (13–9) || Kirby (9–5) || — || 2:14 || 29,512 || 92–47 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 145 || September 10, 1975 || 10:30 p.m. EDT || @ Dodgers || L 2–3 || Hooton (16–9) || Eastwick (5–3) || — || 2:25 || 27,432 || 96–49 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 146 || September 11, 1975 || 10:30 p.m. EDT || @ Dodgers || L 2–5 || Rhoden (2–2) || Billingham (15–8) || — || 2:16 || 27,640 || 96–50 || L3 |- Postseason Game log Legend Reds win Reds loss PostponementBoldReds team member Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 1975 Postseason game log: 7–3 (Home: 4–1; Away: 3–2) y Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 NL Championship Series vs. Pittsburgh Pirates 3–0 (Home: 2–0; Away: 1–0) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/Streak |- style="background:#bfb;" | 1 || October 4, 1975 || 4:00 p.m. EDT || Pirates || W 8–3 || Gullett (1–0) || Reuss (0–1) || — || 3:00 || 54,633 || CIN 1–0 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 2 || October 5, 1975 || 4:00 p.m. EDT || Pirates || W 6–1 || Norman (1–0) || Rooker (8–9) || Eastwick (1) || 2:51 || 54,752 || CIN 2–0 || W2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 3 || October 7, 1975 || 8:32 p.m. EDT || @ Pirates || W 5–3 (10) || Eastwick (1–0) || Hernández (0–1) || Borbón (1) || 2:47 || 46,355 || CIN 3–0 || W3 |- y Cincinnati Reds 1968thru1998 World Series vs. Boston Red Sox 4–3 (Home: 2–1; Away: 2–2) # Date Time (ET) Opponent Score Win Loss Save Time of Game Attendance Series Box/Streak |- style="background:#fbb;" | 1 || October 11, 1975 || 1:00 p.m. EDT || @ Red Sox || L 0–6 || Tiant (1–0) || Gullett (0–1) || — || 2:27 || 35,205 || BOS 1–0 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 2 || October 12, 1975 || 1:00 p.m. EDT || @ Red Sox || W 3–2 || Eastwick (1–0) || Drago (0–1) || — || 2:38 || 35,205 || TIE 1–1 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 3 || October 14, 1975 || 8:30 p.m. EDT || Red Sox || W 6–5 (10) || Eastwick (2–0) || Willoughby (0–1) || — || 3:03 || 55,392 || CIN 2–1 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 4 || October 15, 1975 || 8:30 p.m. EDT || Red Sox || L 4–5 || Tiant (2–0) || Norman (0–1) || — || 2:52 || 55,667 || TIE 2–2 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 5 || October 16, 1975 || 8:30 p.m. EDT || Red Sox || W 6–2 || Gullett (1–1) || Cleveland (0–1) || Eastwick (1) || 2:23 || 56,393 || CIN 3–2 || W1 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || October 18, 1975 || 1:00 p.m. EDT || @ Red Sox || colspan=8| Postponed (rain); Makeup: October 21 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || October 19, 1975 || 1:00 p.m. EDT || @ Red Sox || colspan=8| Postponed (rain); Makeup: October 21 |- style="background:#bbb;" | — || October 20, 1975 || 8:15 p.m. EDT || @ Red Sox || colspan=8| Postponed (rain); Makeup: October 21 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 6 || October 21, 1975 || 8:15 p.m. EDT || @ Red Sox || L 6–7 (12) || Wise (1–0) || Darcy (0–1) || — || 4:01 || 35,205 || TIE 3–3 || L1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 7 || October 22, 1975 || 8:15 p.m. EDT || @ Red Sox || W 4–3 || C. Carroll (1–0) || Burton (0–1) || McEnaney (1) || 2:52 || 35,205 || CIN 4–3 || W1 |- Player stats = Indicates team leader = Indicates league leader Batting Starters by position Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Pos Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI C Johnny Bench 142 530 150 .283 28 110 1B Tony Pérez 137 511 144 .282 20 109 2B Joe Morgan 146 498 163 .327 17 94 3B Pete Rose 162 662 210 .317 7 74 SS Dave Concepción 140 507 139 .274 5 49 LF George Foster George Foster (baseball) 134 463 139 .300 23 78 CF César Gerónimo 148 501 129 .257 6 53 RF Ken Griffey Ken Griffey, Sr. 132 463 141 .305 4 461975 Cincinnati Reds Statistics and Roster – Baseball-Reference.com Other batters Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI Dan Driessen 88 210 59 .281 7 38 Merv Rettenmund 93 188 45 .239 2 19 Darrel Chaney 71 160 35 .219 2 26 Bill Plummer 65 159 29 .182 1 19 Doug Flynn 89 127 34 .268 1 20 Terry Crowley 66 71 19 .268 1 11 Ed Armbrister 59 65 12 .185 0 2 John Vukovich 31 38 8 .211 0 2 Don Werner 7 8 1 .125 0 0 Pitching Starting pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Gary Nolan Gary Nolan (baseball) 32 210.2 15 9 3.16 74 Jack Billingham 33 208.0 15 10 4.11 79 Fred Norman Fred Norman (baseball) 34 188.0 12 4 3.73 119 Don Gullett 22 159.2 15 4 2.42 98 Pat Darcy 27 130.2 11 5 3.58 46 Clay Kirby 26 110.2 10 6 4.72 48 Other pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G IP W L ERA SO Tom Carroll Tom Carroll (pitcher) 12 47.0 4 1 4.98 14 Relief pitchers Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Player G W L SV ERA SO Rawly Eastwick 58 5 3 22 2.60 61 Will McEnaney 70 5 2 15 2.47 48 Pedro Borbón 67 9 5 5 2.95 29 Clay Carroll 56 7 5 7 2.62 44 Tom Hall Tom Hall (baseball) 2 0 0 0 0.00 3 Postseason National League Championship Series 1975 National League Championship Series Game One October 4, Riverfront Stadium Team123456789RHEPittsburgh020000001380Cincinnati01304000X8110W: Don Gullett (1–0)  L: Jerry Reuss (0–1)  HRs: CIN – Don Gullett (1) Game Two October 5, Riverfront Stadium Team123456789RHEPittsburgh000100000150Cincinnati20020110X6121W: Fred Norman (1–0)  L: Jim Rooker (0–1)  SV: Rawly Eastwick (1)HRs: CIN – Tony Pérez (1) Game Three October 7, Three Rivers Stadium Team12345678910RHECincinnati0100000202560Pittsburgh0000020010372W: Rawly Eastwick (1–0)  L: Ramón Hernández (0–1)  SV: Pedro Borbón (1)HRs: CIN – Dave Concepción (1), Pete Rose (1); PIT – Al Oliver (1) World Series 1975 World Series +NL Cincinnati Reds (4) vs. AL Boston Red Sox (3)GameScoreDateLocationAttendanceTime of Game1 Reds – 0, Red Sox – 6 Sat. Oct 11 (D)Fenway Park 35,205 2:272 Reds – 3, Red Sox – 2 Sun. Oct 12 (D)Fenway Park 35,205 2:383 Red Sox – 5, Reds – 6 (10 inns) Tue. Oct 14 (N)Riverfront Stadium 55,392 3:034 Red Sox – 5, Reds – 4 Wed. Oct 15 (N)Riverfront Stadium 55,667 2:525 Red Sox – 2, Reds – 6 Thu. Oct 16 (N)Riverfront Stadium 56,393 2:236 Reds – 6, Red Sox – 7 (12 inns)Tue. Oct 21 (N)Fenway Park 35,205 4:017 Reds – 4, Red Sox – 3 Wed. Oct 22 (N)Fenway Park 35,205 2:52 Awards and honors Sparky Anderson, Associated Press NL Manager of the Year Johnny Bench, Lou Gehrig AwardMLB Lou Gehrig Award Winners https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gehrig.shtml 2025-03-21 Baseball-Reference.com en Gary Nolan, Hutch Awardhttp://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_hut.shtml Hutch Award | Baseball Almanac Pete Rose, World Series Most Valuable Player Joe Morgan, NL MVP All-Stars All-Star Game Johnny Bench, catcher, starter Dave Concepción, shortstop, starter Joe Morgan, second baseman, starter Pete Rose, right fielder, starter Tony Pérez, reserve Farm system Minor League Baseball AAA Indianapolis Indians American Association Vern Rapp AA Trois-Rivières Aigles Eastern League Jim Snyder and Ron Plaza A Tampa Tarpons Florida State League Russ Nixon A-Short Season Eugene Emeralds Northwest League Greg Riddoch Rookie Billings Mustangs Pioneer League Jim Hoff LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: EugeneJohnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007 Notes 2 References 1975 Cincinnati Reds season at Baseball Reference Category:Cincinnati Reds seasons Cincinnati Reds season Category:National League West champion seasons Category:National League champion seasons Category:World Series champion seasons Cincinnati Reds