They were, however, expelled from the League following the 1880 season for violating the League rules.

However, there was another team by the same name – the original Cincinnati Red Stockings – who were the first all-professional team. Founded in 1866, they turned professional in 1869, and after having won 130 straight games through 1869 and 1870, were disbanded in 1870.

Now, following the expulsion, a third Cincinnati Red Stockings team was formed as a founding member of a new rival league – the American Association. This team started to play in 1882. After the American Association became weaker, and the National League strengthened, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, who by now in 1890 came to be known as the Cincinnati Reds, accepted National Leagues invitation to join it.

The Cincinnati Reds started playing in the Western Division, and later moved to the Central Division, when the Divisions were re-organized in 1994.

The Titles
The Reds have seven Western Division titles to their name, and after moving to the Central Division have won one Division title.

The have also won one American Association Pennant in the short time they spent in that league, and have nine National League pennants to their name. In addition, the Reds have won the World Series titles five times.

Starting from 1919, the Cubs have made 12 playoff appearances, with the last one in 1995, eleven years ago.

The Honors
The Reds have 34 players inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

The team has retired the jersey numbers of five players and two managers, never to be used by any other Reds player. These are:

# 1, Fed Hutchinson – Manager from 1959 to 1964.
# 5, Johnny Bench - Played from 1967 to 1983.
# 8, Joe Morgan – Played from 1972 to 1979.
# 10, Sparky Anderson – Manager from 1970 to 1978.
# 18, Ted Kluszewski – Played from 1947 to 1957, and coached from 1970 to 1978.
# 20, Frank Robinson – Played from 1956 to 1965.
# 24, Tony Pérez– Played from 1964 to 1976, and from 1984 to 1986. Coached from 1987 to 1992, and was Manager in 1993.

# 42, belonging to Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers, was retired throughout the Major League Baseball.

The Grounds
Starting from Lincoln Park Grounds in 1876, and moving through seven other grounds as their home park, the Reds have been based at the Great American Ball Park, since 2003.