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Today’s Cincinnati Reds trace their origin to 1882 with the birth of the American Association. Known as the Red Stockings then, the Cincinnati team was the first champion of the league.

Anchored by the play of second baseman Bid McPhee, Cincy went 55-25 to win the AA by 11 1/2 games over the Philadelphia Athletics. McPhee led the league in both putouts and fielding percentage.

Cincinnati joined the National League in 1890 along with the Brooklyn Bridegrooms. McPhee remained at second base through the 1899 season as the Cincinnati second sacker for the franchise’s first 18 years.

McPhee did not wear a glove until the end of his career. He reportedly toughened up his hands by soaking them in salt water.

According to the Hall of Fame, McPhee said, “This glove business has gone a little too far. True, hot-hit balls do sting a little at the opening of the season, but after you get used to it there is no trouble on that score.”

The man at the keystone position led his league in fielding percentage 9 times, putouts 8 times, and assists 6 times.

After retiring as a player, McPhee held virtually every Cincinnati team record. He immediately transitioned from playing to managing. While at the helm of the Reds in 1901 and ’02 his team went 79-124.

McPhee was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000 as the only man to spend the majority of his career in the American Association. He, Johnny Bench and Barry Larkin are the only Cooperstown men to play their entire careers in the Queen City.

McPhee also made the Cincinnati Reds team Hall of Fame in 2002.