Former Reds Manager Bob Boone Dies At 78

 

Dateline: Cincinnati  

Just nine days shy of his 79th birthday, Bob Boone, who managed the Reds from 2001 thru 2003 died on Wednesday “peacefully” according to his son Brett who played for the Reds. 

He also managed his son Aaron while the younger Aaron was the Reds third baseman. Aaron is now a successful manager for the New York Yankees,

 Bob was the son of former big leaguer Ray Boone who played for the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers. The Boone family mirror the Bell family who’s three generations include two sons who played in the big leagues.

Bob had a solid 19-year career as a catcher with the Philadelphia Phillies, California Angels and Kansas City Royals. He was drafted by the Phillies with the sixth pick in the 1969 draft out of Stanford University.

He broke in with the Phillies on September 10, 1973. He caught for the Phillies for 10 seasons and was a member of their 1980 championship, catching 142 games and was teammates with Pete Rose and Dayton, Ohio native Mike Schmidt.

He was purchased by the California Angels in 1981. Boone led the American League in games caught for five straight years and led the league again after moving to the Kansas City Royals in 1988 as a free agent with 131 games caught in 1989. He finished his playing career in 1990. 

Boone caught 2,225 in his career. When he retired he held the career record for games caught, Carlton Fisk passed him with 2,226 games in 1993. Ivan Rodriguez is the current record holder at 2,427.

As a hitter, Boone, was a career .254 hitter with his best season with a .284 average in 1977. Boone managed the Kansas City Royals from 1995 to 1998 finishing second in the AL West with a 70-74 record in a strike shortened season. In his three years with Royals he had a 181-2006 record.

Boone was named manager of the Reds in 2001, taking over for Jack McKeon. His hiring was controversial because popular Cincinnati native and Reds, player Ron Oester was offered the job as one of owner Marge Schott's favorites but she lost control of the franchise in late 1999 and Jim Bowden couldn't come to terms with Oester and hired Boone.

He managed the complete 2001 and 2002 seasons, his best year was 2002 with a 78-84 record. Boone and Bowden were fired by team  president John Allen, who named Dan O'Brien as GM and Dave  Miley was promoted from Louisville to take over for Boone. 

Boone was 190-238 as the Reds manager and 371-444 for his career.

No cause of death has been reported.

Sal Stewart Wins BBWAA Rooie Of The Year Award

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Sal Stewart won the Rookie of the Year Award, The Jackie Robinson award, by a vote by the Baseball Writer Association of America for 2026.

It was his second ROY award in two weeks. He was named by the Players Association as the top rookie in their vote.

Stewart is the second Reds' to win the award in five years. Jonathan India won the award in 2021.

He is among nine Reds to win the award, joining India, Scott Williamson (1999), Chris Sabo (1988), Pat Zachry (1976), Johnny Bench (1968), Tommy Helms (1966), Pete Rose (1963) and Frank Robinson (1956).

Stewart was named on every ballot, with 20 of the 30 first place votes and five second place votes. He pulled 170 points. Carson Benge of the New York Mets finished with 107 with seven first place votes and three for second place. JJ Wetherholt of the St. Louis Cardinals finished third with three first place votes and 12 second place votes.

Springboro High School graduate A.J. Ewing got one 10th place vote.

"I'm most proud that I played in all 162 games. I am proud that I showed up for my teammates every single day," Stewart said. 

How about an encore? 

Stewart plans to put in some hard work. "When no one is watching."

He wants to work on his defense at several positions including third base.

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Mr. Teixera Goes To Washington

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington is a 1939 film starring Jimmy Stewart about an average man, who somehow, gets appointed to the US Senate when the elected man dies.

On Tuesday, Mark Teixera, who is decidedly not average, but never one would think would dabble in politics.

Teixera is a 46-year old native of Annapolis, Maryland. He was drafted out of the Georgia Tech by the Texas Rangers with the first pick in the 2001 draft as a switch hitting first baseman. Teixera defeated Democrat Kristen Hook in Texas 21st district, just west of Austin and San Antonio. He took over the seat held by Chip Roy, who decided not to run.

Teixera spent 14 seasons in the Major  Leagues with Texas, the Atlanta Braves, the Los Angeles Angels, and New York Yankees.

In parts of 14 seasons, Teixeira hit .268/.360/.509 (126 OPS+) with 409 home runs, 1,298 RBI, five Gold Gloves, three All-Star Games, three Silver Sluggers and a World Series ring.

He broke it with Texas in 2003 and retired from the Yankees after the 2016 season and moved his family to Texas.

Teixera is not the only former Major Leaguer to serve in the US Congress. Most notably, Jim Bunning a former pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies was a senator from Kentucky.

 

Reds Add To Right Handed Pitchers To Bullpen With Waiver Claims

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds claimed a pair of right handed pitchers with Major League experience to their bullpen.

The team is down three pitchers since, Brock Burke became a free agent. Emilio Pagan declined his player option to become a free agens and Pierce Johnson was not renewed with a team option to become a free agent.

The Reds on Monday (110126) claimed RHP Duncan Davitt from the San Francisco Giants and Paxton Schultz from the Washington Nationals.

Davitt is 27 years old from Des Moines, Iowa. The Tampa Bay Rays selected him out of the University of Iowa with the 18th round pick in 2022.

He broke in with the Chicago White Sox last season after the Rays traded him to the White Sox in July 2025 for Adrian Houser. He pitched two innings in two games for the White Sox last season before, they traded him to the Atlanta Braves for catcher Joey Bart in August. The Giants claimed him off waivers on September 9.

Davitt pitched in six games in 2026, with eight innings, allowing seven earned runs, with three home runs, four walks and five strikeouts.

Schultz is 28 from Orem, Utah. He was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round in 2019 out of Utah Valley University in Orem.

Schultz was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays as the player to be named later on May 2, 2021 for Derek Fisher. The Nationals picked him up on waivers from the Blue Jays on January 9, 2026.

The 6'3" inch pitcher made his first appearance on April 20, 2025 against the Seattle Mariners. He pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing no runs on two hits, no walks and eight strikeouts.

Schultz pitched in 13 games for the Blue Jays, making two starts over 13 appearances. He built a 4.38 ERA in 24 2/3 innings with eight walks, 28 strikeouts and four home runs.

With the Nationals last season, Schultz worked 27 games with one start. He had a 6.40 ERA. He was 1-2 with a save. Schutz pitched 32 1/3 innings, allowing 23 earned runs on 43 hits with 12 walks and 32 strikeouts. Opponents got to him for five home runs. 

Three 2026 Reds Become Free Agents

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Emilio Pagan declined his player option and became a free agent.  

 The Reds declined to pick up the team option fot RHP Pierce Johnson and DH Eugenio Suarez and both of them become free agents.

The Reds 40-man roster is at 35, going into November.

Reds Roster Going Into Hot Stove Season

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

The Reds priority is settling on a pitching coach, Matt Tracy took over four Derek Johnson, who left for personal reasons. It was temporary but became permanent recently.

One candidate could be Tracy himself but another attractive option could be the current Milwaukee Brewers' pitching coach, Chris Hook.

Hook, 58, has ties to the area. The righthanded pitcher, appeared in 55 games for the San Francisco Giants in 1995 and 1996, after graduating from Erlanger Lloyd High School, and Northern Kentucky University.

As for the playing roster:

TJ. Friedl and Will Benson have elected free agency. Julian Aguiar was claimed by the Chicago Cubs on waivers on (092626).

The day after the World Series ended on Wednesday night (102826), the Reds reinstated Hunter Greene, Spencer Steer and Blake Dunn from the 60-day Injured List. The move puts them back on the 40-man roster. 

The offset is Tyler Stephenson, Brock Burke and Brady Singer, becoming free agent.

The Reds avoided arbitration with Oswaldo Cabrera and signed him to a contract.

Their is currently, 38 players on the 40-man roster.

The current roster is:

Pitchers

Andrew Abbott

Tejay Antone

Graham Ashcraft

Chase Burns

Jose Franco

Julian Garcia

Hunter Greene

Pierce Johnson

Nick Lodolo

Rhett Lowder

Zach Maxwell

Zach McCambley

Luis Mey

Emilio Pagan

Chase Petty

Connor Phillips

Tony Santillan

Chase Solesky (claimed on waivers from Tampa Bay on August 6)

Carson Spiers

Brandon Williamson

Catchers

Will Banfield

Jose Trevino

Infield

Edwin Arroyo

Leo Balcazar

Juan Brito

Oswaldo Cabrera

Elly De La Cruz

Ke'Bryan Hayes

Matt McLain

Spencer Steer

Sal Stewart

Outfield

JJ Bleday

Carlos Jorge

Noelvi Marte

Dane Myers

Hector Rodriguez

DH

Eugenio Suarez

Sal Stewart Is the Most Outstanding Rookie In The National League

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

Sal Stewart was recognized by his peers as the Most Outstanding National League Rookie in the Players Choice Award by the Major League Players Association.

Stewart led all rookies in MLB with 112 RBI, third best among all big league players. He was third in home runs with 32 behind Munataka Murakami (35) and Kazuma Okamoto (33). He hit .263, playing all 162 games, 15th among rookies. He was 16th with a .330 on-base-percentage. He was seventh in slugging percentage with a .475 mark, contributing 25 doubles, also seventh among all rookies. Stewart stole 15 bases good for ninth among rookies.

He played 117 games at first base, 45 at third base, eight at second base. Stewart committed four errors in 939 chances. 

Stewart, a native of Miami, Florida will turn 23 on December 7, 2026. He was selected by the Reds out of Westminster Christian School in the first round of 2022, the 32nd overall choice. 

Kevin McGonigle was the Most Outstanding Rookie in the American League. He was the 37th pick in the 2023 draft out of Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. He was 22 on August 18th, 2026.

The shortstop, third baseman, played in 156 games with a slash line was .278/.376/.430 with 28 doubles, five triples, 18 home runs and 72 RBI. McGonigle stole 12 bases.

The New York Yankees Cam Schlittler is the American League’s Most Outstanding Pitcher. Jacob Msiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers is the Most Outstanding National League Pitcher.

Other winners are Pete Crow-Armstrong was picked as Overall Player of the Year and Most Outstanding National League Players.

Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros was the Most Outstanding American League Player and Comeback Player of Year while Zach Wheeler won the National League Comeback Player of the Year.

David Cone was awarded the Curt Flood award for advancing players rights.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Bassitt won the Marvin Miller Award for the current player advancing players rights. 

Jake Burger of the Texas Rangers was name Philanthropist of the Year for creating opportunities for the children and their families of Downs Syndrome.

Christian Yelich of the Milwaukee Brewers, Mathew Boyd of the Chicago Cubs, Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rondon, and Hunter Greene of the Reds.

All of those players were awarded $10,000 for their charities. Burger's cause will get an additional $25,000 from the Players Associations Player's Trust.

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I am a cancer survivor and freelance sportswriter who has dedicated years to covering the Cincinnati Reds. Until recently, I wrote monthly for the Reds Report, a publication for Reds fans. Unfortunately, the publication went bankrupt in December. My goal is to fill the void for those subscribers and others who enjoy daily coverage of the Reds and other Cincinnati based sports at home and on the road.

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1990 Reds Champion Player Todd Benzinger Dies

              

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

On October 20, 1990, Todd Benzinger backed up and called for a pop fly off the bat of Carney Lansford as Randy Myers finished the Red's, 2-1 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Benzinger was born in Dayton, Kentucky directly across the river from downtown Cincinnati on February 11, 1963. He graduated from New Richmond High School on the north bank of the river.

He passed away at the age of 63 this morning (102126).

The switch hitting firstbaseman/outfielder was drafted in the fourth round of the 1981 draft by the Boston Red Sox. He broke in with Boston in 1987. The Reds sent Nick Esasky and Rob Murphy to the Red Sox for Benzinger, Jeff Sellers and minor leaguer, Luis Vazquez in December 1988.

Benzinger played three seasons with the Reds from 1989-91 and was a key contributor during the 1990 wire-to-wire championship season.

He played in 1,230 games for the Reds, hitting .241 with 45 doubles, seven triples, 23 home runs and 133 RBI with the Reds.

The Reds traded Benzinger to the Kansas City Royals on July 11, 1991 for Carmello Martinez. He finished his career on May 14, 1995 at the age of 32.

Benzinger played in 924 games with a career .257 average with 135 doubles, 18 triples, 66 home runs and 376 RBI. 

Benzinger managed in the Reds' system at High A Dayton from in 2009 and 2010. He coached high school basketball in the Cincinnati area. He coached the girl's team at Loveland High School from 2006 through 2008.

He also particpated in football and basketball at New Richmond High School.

20 Game Winners 20 Game Losers

               

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Dateline: Cincinnati  

There hasn't been a pitcher to win 20 games in Major League Baseball since, 2023.

There are eight pitchers in 2026, who won 15 or more games.

Sonny Gray, a former Reds' hurler won 18 for the Boston Red Sox. Christopher Sanchez won 18 games for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Next on the list are 16 game winners, Eduardo Rodriguez of the Arizona Diamondbacks, Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers and Drew Rasmussen of the Tampa Bay Rays.

At 15 wins another former Reds pitcher, Nick Martinez won 15 for the Tampa Bay Rays, Foster Griffin of the Cleveland Guardians and Chase Burns of the Reds.

Of these eight pitchers only Burns and Rodriguez are not in the playoffs.

Since starting pitchers make fewer starts than players did in the not too distance past. They also are not pitching deep into games. 

Mackenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals made the most starts at 34. Next Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins, Tanner Bibee of the Guardians, Aaron Nola of the Phillies, Cam Schlitter of the New York Yankees and Sanchez of the Phillies made as many as 33 starts.

Of the 15-game or more game winners Gray at 18-5 and Burns at 15-3 made fewer than 30 starts with Burns earning the highest winning percentage at 833.

Only three pitchers pitched 200 or more innings, which used to get starters paid for taking mileage off the bullpens arms. Alcantara led with 214 innings. Sanchez pitched 207 and Michael Wacha of the Kansas City Royals logged 200 2/3 innings.

Since the use of pitchers changed so much the 15 win threshold is equivalent to the ancient 20 win standard for comparison.

If 15 wins are the equivalent to 20 wins, what about 15 losses.

Three pitchers did that.

Shane Baz of the Baltimore Orioles, Tanner Bibee of the Guardians and the Reds Brady Singer all lost 15 decisions. Singer and former Red Michael Lorenzen tied for the most runs allowed at 102. 

Singer made 31 starts and pitched 157 innings. He allowed 32 home runs, fifth in baseball. Singer walked 62 and hit 15 batters. His WHIP was 1.59.

Losses though are more subject to the team's offense. Singer had quality starts in 10 of his 31 but was just 3-2 with seven no decisions. In nine of his 16 losses the Reds scored two runs or fewer.

Burns was 2-3 when the Reds scored two runs or fewer. He was 13-0 when the Reds scored three runs or more.