Red Hot Passion: Exploring the Love of Cincinnati Reds Fans

Sitting right on the edge of the Ohio River, Great American Ball Park brings fans from Ohio, Kentucky, and other states together to cheer on the Cincinnati Reds. Fans can actually walk across the bridge from a different state easily to see the Reds play. If you spend any time at Great American Ball Park, you’ll see one of the gems of Major League Baseball. Not only can you enjoy local cuisines such as Skyline Chili or a Big Red Dog on a pretzel bun, but you’ll be immersed in a sea of some of the most passionate fans in the entire league.

Reds fans have been rooting for the franchise since it was a charter member of the National League back in 1876. Whether the fans were rooting for the Cincinnati Red Stockings, Redlegs, or the Reds, the fanbase has seen a lot of winning. With nine NL pennants and five World Series titles, there’s been plenty to cheer about. While the team aims to return to the consistent winning ways it enjoyed in the 1970s, the fan base hasn’t left, and the endearing love continues.

What it Means to be a Cincinnati Reds Super Fan

If you’re sporting the pointed C on your cap and putting on your Elly de la Cruz jersey, you’re probably heading out to catch a Reds game. The Reds have a rabid fanbase that yearns for a competitive ball club each season. One of the most visible fan clubs in the MLB, the Rosie Reds have seen many years of success, as they are the oldest fan club in all of Major League Baseball. The Rosie Reds have existed since 1964, when a passionate group of women banded together to try and keep the franchise in Cincinnati. Rosie stands for Rooters Organized to Stimulate Interest and Enthusiasm in the Cincinnati Reds.

The Rosie Reds are still in existence today and give back to the community by raising and donating over $30,000 each year to support local baseball and softball communities. The Reds also offer two levels of fan clubs for kids: the Reds Rookies for fans ages 0-3 and the Reds Heads Members for ages 3-12.

Reds fans have gone through some lean years but still show up, routinely helping the team average in the upper half of attendance for the season. Cincinnati even had the third-highest road attendance just two seasons ago, making them a consistent pull for opposing stadiums as well.

Cincinnati Reds Fans on Gameday

It’s hard to miss Mr. Redlegs, the Reds’ mascot, at each game. He sports a large mustache on his baseball head and wears an old-time baseball uniform. But he isn’t the only mascot celebrating the Reds. Mr. Red has a similar design but without a mustache, and Rosie Red is a female version of the two other baseball-headed mascots. Gapper is a furry red pet who is the fourth mascot for the Reds.

The area around Great American Ball Park hosts events a few times yearly, such as Taste of Cincinnati, which brings together local vendors in an effort to highlight what is special about the city. This tends to attract many Reds fans who support the team at that day’s game and the city itself. The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, located right outside of the stadium, is a great place for Reds fans and park visitors to learn more about the team’s history.

Reds fans like to spend time around the stadium, which sits right along the water. There are numerous bars and restaurants in the surrounding area, meaning you’re bound to see Reds fans enjoying some drinks and food before and after games, as tailgating is not allowed near the venue.

Memorable Moments in Cincinnati Reds Fandom

The Reds’ success over the years has come with large gaps of time in between. The club’s first World Series title came in 1919; the second was in 1940. Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, and Pete Rose were just a few of the players at the forefront of “The Big Red Machine,” the juggernaut team of the 1970s. The powerhouse lineup, which also included the likes of Ken Griffey, Dave Concepcion and George Foster, helped the Reds win pennants in 1970, 1972, 1975, and 1976, with the team winning back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976. The team also won the World Series in 1990 with the help of Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, Paul O’Neill, Eric Davis, Jose Rijo, Rob Dibble and more.

Famous Cincinnati Reds Fans

George Clooney is such a big Reds fan that he tried out for the team twice. David Letterman has been a lifelong fan of the team, as has Nick Lachey, who has bought out local bars for Reds and Bengals games.