The Cincinnati Reds Big Red Machines is considered by many experts to be the very BEST BASEBALL TEAM IN HISTORY.
The Big Red Machine was one of the most dominant and iconic teams in Major League Baseball history, representing the Cincinnati Reds during the 1970s. Under the leadership of manager Sparky Anderson and general manager Bob Howsam, the team was built around a powerful lineup, stellar defense, and a deep pitching staff. The core of the Big Red Machine featured Hall of Famers like Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and Tony Pérez, along with legendary teammates Pete Rose, George Foster, Dave Concepción, and Ken Griffey Sr.. This group combined to form a juggernaut that not only won games but revolutionized how baseball was played with a mix of power, speed, and discipline.
The pinnacle of the Big Red Machine came in 1975 and 1976, when the Reds captured back-to-back World Series championships. The 1975 team defeated the Boston Red Sox in a dramatic seven-game series, capped by Carlton Fisk’s famous Game 6 home run and Joe Morgan’s Series-winning hit in Game 7. The 1976 Reds were even more dominant, sweeping the New York Yankees in four games and going a perfect 7-0 in the postseason—a feat unmatched at the time. The Big Red Machine era wasn’t just about winning; it was about doing so with flair, consistency, and a lineup that struck fear into every opposing pitcher. Their legacy remains a gold standard for team excellence in MLB history.
The Reds have a passionate fan base, many whom are card collectors. Here are the most popular Cincinnati Reds cards in history, based upon sales over the past 24 months.
1. Johnny Bench
- 🔥 Key Cards: 1968 Topps Rookie Card (#247)
- 🏆 Hall of Fame catcher, 2× MVP, cornerstone of the Big Red Machine.
- 🔺 One of the most iconic vintage cards in the hobby.
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2. Pete Rose
- 🔥 Key Cards: 1963 Topps Rookie Stars (#537)
- 🧠 All-time hit king. Controversial figure, but still wildly popular.
- 🔺 Strong collector base despite Hall of Fame ban.
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3. Joe Morgan
- 🔥 Key Cards: 1965 Topps (#16), 1972 Topps Traded
- ⚾️ 2× NL MVP and key player in back-to-back World Series wins.
- 🔺 Popular with vintage collectors and Reds fans.
4. Tony Pérez
- 🔥 Key Cards: 1965 Topps Rookie Card (#581)
- 🧨 Run producer for the Big Red Machine; clutch postseason hitter.
- 🔺 Cards remain steadily sought after in the vintage market.
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5. Barry Larkin
- 🔥 Key Cards: 1987 Topps Traded, 1987 Donruss Rated Rookie
- 🧢 HOF shortstop and longtime team captain.
- 🔺 ‘80s rookie cards are inexpensive but highly collected.
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6. Frank Robinson
- 🔥 Key Cards: 1957 Topps Rookie Card (#35)
- 🐐 One of the greatest all-around players; started with the Reds.
- 🔺 Rookie card is a Holy Grail for Reds and Orioles fans alike.
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7. Eric Davis
- 🔥 Key Cards: 1985 Topps, 1984 Fleer Update XRC
- ⚡️ Dynamic 30/30 threat and defensive wizard.
- 🔺 Late ‘80s hobby darling, enjoying a collector resurgence.
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8. Elly De La Cruz
- 🔥 Key Cards: 1st Bowman Chrome Auto (2022), 2023 Topps Rookie
- 🚀 Ultra-talented, electric young star.
- 🔺 Modern prospect collectors and flippers love his upside.
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9. Joey Votto
- 🔥 Key Cards: 2002 Bowman Chrome Auto, 2008 Topps RC
- 🧠 Former MVP, known for hitting discipline and leadership.
- 🔺 Cards hold strong value due to his consistent career.
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10. Ken Griffey Jr. (Reds Years)
- 🔥 Key Cards: 2000s Reds-era cards, Topps, Fleer, Upper Deck
- 🧢 Although best known as a Mariner, Reds collectors still chase his cards.
- 🔺 Special inserts, short prints, and autos in Reds uniform are collectible.
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🔁 Honorable Mentions
- George Foster – 1977 MVP, huge power numbers.
- Tom Seaver – Brief stint, but his Reds cards still carry weight.
- Luis Castillo / Hunter Greene / Noelvi Marte – Emerging players with modern card hype.
- Nick Senzel – Once hot, now cooled off but still collected by loyal fans.
Here’s a chart detailing estimated average PSA 10 auction values for the 10 most popular Cincinnati Reds baseball cards, based on the latest sales data:
| 🔢 | Player | Card | Avg PSA 10 Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johnny Bench | 1968 Topps #247 Rookie | $75,000 (dec 2023 sale) |
| 2 | Pete Rose | 1963 Topps #537 Rookie Stars* | ~ $3,000–5,000¹ |
| 3 | Joe Morgan | 1965 Topps #16 | ~ $2,500–4,000² |
| 4 | Tony Pérez | 1965 Topps #581 Rookie | ~ $800–1,200³ |
| 5 | Barry Larkin | 1987 Donruss Rated Rookie | ~ $150–250⁴ |
| 6 | Frank Robinson | 1957 Topps #35 Rookie | ~ $30,000–50,000⁵ |
| 7 | Eric Davis | 1985 Topps Base | ~ $100–200⁶ |
| 8 | Elly De La Cruz | 2022 Bowman Chrome 1st Prospect Auto | ~$1,000 (recent avg) |
| 9 | Joey Votto | 2002 Bowman Chrome Auto Rookie | ~ $300–500⁷ |
| 10 | Ken Griffey Jr. | Early 2000s Reds Bowman/Topps Chrome | ~ $250–400⁸ |
📌 Notes on Pricing Estimates
- Pete Rose: PSA 10’s for rookie-era cards (e.g., 1963 Topps) typically range in the $3,000–5,000 bracket.
- Joe Morgan: Similar vintage 1960s Topps psa 10’s often fetch $2,500–4,000.
- Tony Pérez: His 1965 Topps rookie in PSA 10 tends to average around $800–1,200.
- Barry Larkin: A 1987 Donruss rookie PSA 10 averages $150–250 among collectors.
- Frank Robinson: 1957 Topps rookie in PSA 10 is a high-end vintage chase, valued around $30–50 K.
- Eric Davis: Mid-80s Topps base cards in PSA 10 typically go for $100–200.
- Joey Votto: 2002 Bowman Chrome Auto PSA 10 ranges $300–500.
- Ken Griffey Jr. (Reds years): Early 2000s Chrome parallels/rookies PSA 10 sell for $250–400 depending on print run.
🧭 Interpretation
- Johnny Bench’s 1968 rookie is by far the top-value Reds card, having sold for ~$75,000 in late 2023 cardlines.com+1collectibles.com+1
. - Frank Robinson’s 1957 rookie also commands strong vintage prices.
- Among modern and prospect cards, Elly De La Cruz’s Bowman Chrome auto PSA 10 (~$1k) is the top dog sportsmemorabilia.com+15sportscardinvestor.com+15ebay.com+15.
- The rest of the list balances historic legends and popular post‑‘80s stars at mid‑range value levels.