The 1996 Cincinnati Reds season was the 127th season for the franchise in Major League Baseball, and their 27th and 26th full season at Cinergy Field. The Reds failed to improve on their record of 85–59 from 1995 and defend their National League Central title, finishing the season at 81–81 and a third place finish.
Offseason
- December 7, 1995: Chris Sabo was signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
- January 2, 1996: Eric Davis was signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
- January 9, 1996: Mike Kelly was traded by the Atlanta Braves to the Cincinnati Reds for a player to be named later and Chad Fox. The Cincinnati Reds sent Ray King (June 11, 1996) to the Atlanta Braves to complete the trade.
- January 20, 1996: Vince Coleman signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
- February 26, 1996: Joe Oliver was signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
- February 26, 1996: Damon Berryhill was released by the Cincinnati Reds.
Regular season
- Opening Day (April 1) – Seven pitches into the first game of the season, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, home plate umpire John McSherry collapses on the field and dies of a massive heart attack. The game between the Reds and Montreal Expos is postponed. Reds owner Marge Schott later comes under fire for wanting the game in Cincinnati to continue despite the tragedy (and against the wishes of the players on both teams), saying that she felt "cheated" when it was canceled.
Opening Day lineup
Note: the two lineups have multiple differences, as the Expos had scheduled right-hander Pedro Martínez to start on April 1; he was replaced by left-hander Jeff Fassero for the April 2 game.
Season standings
Record vs. opponents
Game log
Detailed records
Notable transactions
- April 2, 1996: Scott Service was signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds.
- May 27, 1996: Lee Smith was traded by the California Angels to the Cincinnati Reds for Chuck McElroy.
- June 18, 1996: Vince Coleman was released by the Cincinnati Reds.
- July 30, 1996: Kevin Mitchell was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Cincinnati Reds for Roberto Mejía and Brad Tweedie (minors).
- July 30, 1996: Eric Anthony was purchased by the Colorado Rockies from the Cincinnati Reds.
Draft picks
- June 4, 1996: Buddy Carlyle was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2nd round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed June 21, 1996.
Roster
Player stats
Batting
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Pitching
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Farm system
References
- 1996 Cincinnati Reds season at Baseball Reference
