The staff at FOX Sports Ohio has been debating a topic recently, and we would like your input.
As the All-Star Game approaches, we've been looking at past seasons and asking ourselves "who were the greatest Reds/Indians players ever to play each position?" Trust us, making the list wasn't easy - we went through several drafts and researched players of the past.
Now we turn it over to you.
Between now and the All Star Game (July 16 on FOX), we will be asking you to vote for your favorite Reds player and favorite Indians player at each position.
Click here to vote for first base - see the candidates
Today's position - third base.
Max Alvis
Alvis was in the league for nine years and spent eight of those in an Indians uniform. He was voted to the All-Star Game twice, in 1965 and 1967. His lifetime batting average was .247 (.249 in Cleveland).
Buddy Bell
Bell was one of the few three-generation MLB families, with both his father and son having spent time in the big leagues. He was elected to five All-Star Games, and won six Gold Gloves. His best years were in the 1980s with the Texas Rangers. His lifetime batting average was .279 (.274 in Cleveland).
Ken Keltner
12 of Keltner's 13 MLB seasons were spent with the Indians, with a one-year leave in 1945 to serve in the military. He played in seven All-Star Games, and was voted in the top-14 in MVP voting on four separate occasions. His lifetime batting average was .276.
Al Rosen
Rosen spent a decade in the majors, all with the Indians. He went to the All-Star Game four times, and was elected the AL MVP in 1953. He batted .336 his MVP year, and batted .285 lifetime. He was the starting third baseman for the Indians' AL pennant team of 1954.
Gene Freese
Freese was in the majors for 12 seasons, three of them with the Reds. Two of his years in Cincinnati were injury-plagued, and led to the decline of his numbers. His lifetime batting average was .254, but he hit .261 with the Reds.
Don Hoak
Hoak joined the Reds in 1957 and spent two of his 11 years in Cincinnati. He made the All-Star team in 1957, and finished second in MVP voting in 1960. His lifetime batting average was .265, .279 with the Reds.
Ray Knight
Knight spent 13 years as a major-leaguer, the first six in Cincinnati. He was a two-time All-Star, and finished fifth in voting for MVP in 1979. His lifetime batting was .271 (.277 in Cincinnati).
Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen's 17 years in the big leagues ended last season. He spent four years as a Red. He went to seven All-Star Games (two with Cincinnati), won the Rookie Of The Year in 1997, won 8 Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger. In 2004, he finished 4th in NL MVP voting. His lifetime batting average was .281 (.263 with the Reds).
Pete Rose
Baseball's all-time hit leader, Pete Rose spent 24 years in the Major Leagues (19 in a Reds uniform). He was elected Rookie Of The Year in 1963, went to 17 All-Star Games, won two Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, and won the NL MVP in 1973 when he hit .338. His lifetime batting average was .303 (.307 with the Reds).
Chris Sabo
Sabo spent seven of his nine MLB years with the Cincinnati Reds. He won Rookie Of The Year in 1988, and was elected to three All-Star Games. He cracked the top 20 in MVP voting twice. He lifetime batting average was .268 (.270 with the Reds).
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Tomorrow's category - Catcher.
