The 1982 Reds Cards

Probably the worst team ever fielded in Cincinnati, the Reds went from best record in baseball in 1981 (but never made the playoffs, thanks to the season format resulting from the strike) to 101 losses and dead last in the NL West. This was the year Atlanta won 13 games to start the year, five of which were over the Reds. The 3-10 start meant that not even through April, they were 10 games out of first. The Big Red Machine had officially been dismantled.

However, this was also the first year I can recall being a fan. I still remember watching the game where Ron Reed plunked Soto after Mario hit two Phillies. Likewise, I remember Steve Carlton getting a late-season start to ensure he had the top strikeout total. The fact Mario Soto went 14-13 with a 2.79 ERA and 274 strikeouts shows how dominant he was. He is probably the most underrated pitcher of the 80s.

In addition to becoming a true Reds fan, this was the first year I collected baseball cards. The two combine to create a fond memory of my childhood.

Below are the 1982 Topps cards of the team. Fortunately, I have the Traded set to ensure that Cedeno, Trevino, and Krenchicki are pictured correctly. I will add that it stinks they didn't give Paul Householder a proper Traded card. Or, one for Brad "the Animal" Lesley. (For all of his antics - he was the Red pounding his glove at the end of This Week in Baseball for many years - and the love-affair baseball had for Mark Fidrych, I'm surprised he doesn't have more cards).

Infield	Dan Driessen 1st Base	Ron Oester 2nd Base	Dave Concepcion Shortstop	Johnny Bench 3rd Base	Alex Treviņo Catcher
Outfield	Eddie Milner Left Field	Cesar Cedeņo Center Field	Paul Householder Right Field
Starting Rotation	Mario Soto	Tom Seaver	Bruce Berenyi	Joe Price	Frank Pastore
Bullpen	Tom Hume Closer	Jim Kern	Greg Harris	Charlie Leibrandt	Bob Shirley
Bench	Wayne Krenchicki Infield	Larry Biittner Infield	Rafael Landestoy Infield	Mike Vail Outfield

Click these links for more 1982 Topps or 1982 Topps Traded cards