From 1970 to 1976 the Big Red Machine won five division titles, the National League pennant four times and two World Series. Sure the Southside Hitmen were popular in 1977, but they didn't win anything.
The Cincinnati Reds were dominant when Kellogg's began producing cards. Not even counting pitching all of their main players appeared on a Kellogg's card. Let's take a look.
Johnny Bench - 1970
Tony Perez - 1971
Pete Rose - 1972
Bobby Tolan - 1973
Pete Rose again - 1974
Cesar Geronimo - 1975
Joe Morgan - 1976
Ken Griffey - 1977
Ken Griffey again - 1978
Dan Driessen - 1979
George Foster - 1980
Dave Concepcion - 1981
Johnny Bench again - 1982
Dave Concepcion again - 1983
That's not even close to a complete list. Kellogg's produced 53 Reds cards from 1970 to 1983. Amazingly, a member of the Big Red Machine is represented in every set.
In the 1975 World Series eight of the above players were the only players with more at-bats than pitcher Don Gullett. All had at least 25 ABs.
In the 1976 World Series all of the teams at-bats were done by players from the list above. Pitchers didn't bat that year even when games were in Cincinnati.
In the 1972 World Series Dennis Menke was the only player not from that list to get at least 10 at-bats. He appeared on a Kellogg's card as an Astro, not as a Red.
In the 1970 World Series Tommy Helms, Lee May and Hal McRae had lots of at-bats. May and McRae are featured on Kellogg's cards but Helms doesn't appear. May shows up as an Astro and McRae got plenty of cards as a Royal.
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