MLB Franchise Four – Biggest Snubs for Each Team
Cincinnati Reds – Frank Robinson
Franchise Four: Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Barry Larkin
Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, and Joe Morgan. The Big Red Machine was front and center during the All-Star festivities in front of the home crowd in Cincinnati and justifiably so. Additionally, it was only appropriate that Barry Larkin, the face of the 1990’s, was also honored among the club’s Franchise Four. A big round of applause goes to the Cincinnati Reds fans for getting it 100% correct.
But what player likely finished just outside of the four that deserved the honor? Should we also consider Dave Concepcion or or Tony Perez also?
Perhaps not, but there is one player that likely gets overlooked in the annals of Reds history; Frank Robinson.
Robinson played the first 10 years of his career in a Reds uniform and still rates among the top players in team history. His 59.6 WAR ranks fifth among team leaders, as do his 324 home runs (second), 1,009 RBI (fifth), and his 149 wRC+ (3rd). Overall, Robinson hit .303/.389/.554 with an OPS+ of 150 with the Reds.
If there is any consolation for Frank Robinson, at least he made the Franchise Four for the Baltimore Orioles.
Next: Rockies - Dante Bichette