Reds Top 5: Third Basemen

Who are the top third basement in Cincinnati Reds history? Don Helbig shares his thoughts.

Every avid fan of the Cincinnati Reds has a particular and usually fervent opinion on which players are the best in franchise history, particularly at each position. They’re always fun debates to take part in. With that in mind, I began a weekly series that ranks who I believe are the best players at their position in franchise history.

My list of the top five at each position is based solely on what the player did in their career while wearing a Reds uniform. If you don’t agree with my list, I invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below.

For the third of the 10-part series, here’s my ranking of the top five third basemen in Reds’ history.

Pete Rose, 1963-1978, 1984-1986

Known as “Charlie Hustle,” Pete Rose was an all-star at multiple positions while playing for the Reds. Although he played in less than 20 percent of his games for the Reds at third base, he ranks No. 1 on my list because he played the position when they won back-to-back World Series in 1975 and 1976. His move from left field to third base early in 1975 opened the door for George Foster to play every day. Adding Foster’s bat to the lineup paid off, with the Reds going 96-42 after a 12-12 start.

No matter how you feel about Pete Rose the person, on the field he was one of the greatest players not only in Reds history, but Major League history. The Cincinnati native ranks first on the Reds’ all-time leader list in games (2,722), plate appearances (12,344), runs (1,741), hits (3,358), singles (2,490) and doubles (601). He was a 17-time All-Star, including 13 times while wearing a Reds uniform, and ended his playing career as the Major League’s all-time leader with 4,256 hits. Rose also won several National League awards including the 1963 Rookie of The Year, 1973 Most Valuable Player, and won three batting titles.

Heinie Groh, 1913-1921

One of the greatest players of the Deadball era, Heinie Groh spent nine of his 16 years in the Major Leagues playing for the Reds, appearing in 1,211 games and collecting 1,323 hits including 224 doubles, 75 triples, 17 home runs, 408 RBI and a .298 BA with a .378 OBP and was a member of the 1919 World Series-winning team. He led the National League in walks in 1916 with 84, and in 1917, he ranked first in the league in hits with 182, doubles with 39 and OBP at .385. He could also steal a base, recording 158 with the Reds.

Eugenio Suarez, 2015-2021

Playing in 916 games with the Reds after being acquired along with Jonathon Crawford from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Alfredo Simon following the 2014 season, Eugenio Suarez is the only third baseman in franchise history with at least 25 home runs in four seasons and the only one to have three seasons of 30-or-more, clubbing 34 in 2018, 49 in 2019 and 31 in his final season as a Red in 2021. He also drove in over 100 runs twice with 104 in 2018 and 103 in 2019.

Chris Sabo, 1988-1993, 1996

The 1988 National League Rookie of the Year, Chris Sabo was a key figure in helping the Reds capture the 1990 World Series title, leading the club in home runs with 25 and runs with 91, while driving in 71 and stealing 25 bases. Inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 2010, Sabo played in 818 games over his two stints with the Reds, compiling a .270 BA, .328 OBP, .447 SLG and .772 OPS and was a three-time All-Star (1988, 1990, 1991).

Aaron Boone, 1997-2003

Topping off my top five list of the best third basemen in Reds history is Aaron Boone. In parts of seven seasons for the Reds, Boone appeared in 668 games and batted .271 with 86 HR, 362 RBI, .334 OBP, .450 SLG and 785 OPS. He played in all 162 games in 2002, leading the club in RBI with 87 while tying Adam Dunn for first in HR with a career-high 26.

Honorable mention: Billy Werber, Todd Frazier and Scott Rolen.

Next Week: Shortstop