The 1988 Reds Cards

A team that could have been so much more. A team of beginnings and endings. Mario Soto retired. It was Dave Concepcion's last season. But Paul O'Neill came into his own. Barry Larkin proved the Reds kept the right shortstop. Jack Armstrong and Rob Dibble joined the pitching staff. And Chris Sabo took the nation's heart with his goggles.

You'd be hard-pressed to find a better pair of off-season moves leading up to the season. It started with the departure of my favorite player, Kurt Stillwell, and workhorse Ted Power to Kansas City. Angel Salazar never amounted to anything but Danny Jackson won 23 games for the '88 Reds. And would have won the Cy Young award if not for Orel Hershiser. Then Dave Parker was dealt to Oakland for Tim Birtsas and Jose Rijo. Not only would Rijo because the best starter for the next eight years, it also opened an outfield spot for Paul O'Neill to play everyday.

The All-Star game was in Cincinnati that year and I remember everyone getting upset that they didn't pinch-hit Sabo late in the game. But eventually he got to pinch-run.

Since I just finished the set and got the Traded edition, below are the 1988 Score cards of the team. The Sabo rookie turned out pretty cool.

Infield	Nick Esasky 1st Base	Jeff Treadway 2nd Base	Barry Larkin Shortstop	Chris Sabo 3rd Base	Bo Diaz Catcher
Outfield	Kal Daniels Left Field	Eric Davis Center Field	Paul O'Neill Right Field
Starting Rotation	Danny Jackson	Jose Rijo	Tom Browning	Ron Robinson	Jack Armstrong
Bullpen	John Franco Closer	Rob Murphy	Rob Dibble	Frank Williams
Bench	Terry McGriff Catcher	Dave Concepcion Infield	Ron Oester Infield	Herm Winningham Outfield	Dave Collins Outfield

Click this link for more 1988 Score cards