2019 Reds, 1987 Topps style: The Legends, and a Post-Game Concert

The rockingest pitcher the Reds ever employed, Bronson Arroyo; Barry Larkin admiring Barry Larkin; and Zedd, who I have never heard of before, and will probably never hear of again.

And that’s all of the “fun cards” I have from the 2019 Reds season. If I’m missing any that you are desparate to see, let me know and I’ll throw it together!

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2019 Reds, 1987 Topps style: The Manager and His Coaches

I absolutely love David Bell‘s fire, and I hope that he is able to turn around the team’s won/loss record next year. This group features one of my favorite “fun cards,” the last one of the bunch, showing a Father’s Day embrace between first base coach Delino DeShields and his Texas Ranger son, Delino DeShields.

Also in this post: Nate Irving, the recently unemployed Turner Ward, Freddie Benavides, and J.R. House.

2019 Reds, 1987 Topps style: The Outfielders

Had the Reds been a better team this season, I might have posted more about Yasiel Puig. Certainly one of the most entertaining players, pre-trade deadline. But the overall season was just so ho-hum, so was my blogging desire.

Also in this post: rookie Brian O’Grady, Philip Ervin, Michael Lorenzen, Scott Schebler, Graeter’s Ice Cream fan Derek Dietrich.

2019 Reds, 1987 Topps style: The Infielders

One bright spot for the offense this year was Eugenio Suarez. He broke Andres Galarraga‘s record for most homers by a Venezuelan player, slugging 49 homers. He is only the fifth Reds player to hit more than 40 blasts in a season during Marty Brennaman’s career as a Reds announcer. The others were George Foster, Ken Griffey Jr., Greg Vaughn, and Adam Dunn.

I’ve got two Suarez “fun cards” to post. The only other infielders I have that were not previously posted are Jose Iglesias and Scooter Gennett, who was traded to the Giants at the deadline and then released less than a month later. I hope he lands somewhere.

2019 Reds, 1987 Topps style: The Catchers

The search for the next Johnny Bench continues. Not on the shortlist: Tucker Barnhart, Curt Casali, and Ryan Lavarnway.

2019 Reds, 1987 Topps football style: The Pitchers

I started making these early in the season, then took a several-month break because the team was so frustrating. I tried to start back up after the All-Star break, but it was really hard to get motivated to do the full roster.

I’m not going to make an individual post for each card like I usually do. It was not a fun season, and I have no interest in re-living it. Instead, I will post by position, starting with pitchers. I think I got all the big names, but if I’m missing any let me know and I’ll throw it together.

In this post: Amir Garrett, Luis Castillo, Raisel Iglesias, Tanner Roark, Alex Wood, David Hernandez, Lucas Sims, Michael Lorenzen, Kevin Gausman, Matt Bowman, Trevor Bauer.

Fun Cards: 2019 Reds, 1987 Topps football style: Jeff Pickler

Jeff Pickler was the guy in charge the night of the Pirates-Reds rumble back in July. David Bell had already been ejected while arguing balls and strikes. Freddie Benavides was then tossed when Jared Hughes “accidentally” hit a Pirates batter after both teams had received warnings. It was during Pickler’s mound visit to an agitated Amir Garrett that both benches (and clubhouses) cleared. Reviewing the video, it almost appears that Pickler encouraged Garrett to take on the entire Pittsburgh squad by himself.

Fun Cards: 2019 Reds, 1987 Topps football style: Jesse Winker

I can’t wrap my head around Jesse Winker. He has hot streaks, then he has really cold streaks. His defense is not great. Does his hitting make up for that? I really don’t know. I wouldn’t hate it if the Reds moved him during the offseason.

Fun Cards: 2019 Reds, 1987 Topps football style: Robert Stephenson

Robert Stephenson was the Reds’ first-round draft pick in 2011. His stats do not reflect that first-round status. While 2019 has been better than previous seasons, I would hesitate to call it “good.” Oh well, not all first-rounders can be future Hall of Famers.

Fun Cards: 2019 Reds, 1987 Topps football style: Juan Graterol

Cincinnati has used five different men behind the plate so far this year: Tucker Barnhart, Curt Casali, Ryan Lavarnway, Kyle Farmer, and our featured player today, Juan Graterol. Graterol started his big league career with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the Golden State of California, U S of A. He was actually signed in 2005 by the Royals as an amateur free agent. From there, he signed as a free agent with the Yankees (2014), then the Angels (2016), was selected off waivers by the Reds (2016), then selected off waivers by the Diamondbacks (2016). Less than a month later, the Angels selected him off waivers from Arizona, but the Blue Jays made a waiver claim off the Angles 4 days later. Fast-forward three months, and the Blue Jays traded Graterol to the Angels for cash. The Angels released him in June 2018; he was signed by the Twins a few days later. Finally, last October, the Reds again selected him off waivers and he has been in the Cincinnati organization ever since.