no. 357 - reds

Who is the man: The Reds won their first pennant since 1961, setting a franchise record for victories with 102 in 1970. They lost to the Orioles in five games in the World Series.

Can ya dig it: I do believe the team photo was taken in Riverfront Stadium, which was brand-spanking new in 1970. You can see the pride on all of their faces.

Right on: You know, I respect the job that trainers/doctors/clubhouse men do to keep the team operating, but if I was one of them, I wouldn't want to join a bunch of strapping players in uniform for a group picture. There's just no way you're going to look as good as them.

You see that cat Anderson is a bad mother: I believe manager Sparky Anderson is sitting in the center of the first row (just to the right of Pete Rose, who is No. 14 and sitting on the ground). Anderson kicked off a Hall of Fame managing career with this team.

Shut your mouth: Let's ID some people besides Rose and Anderson. Sitting on the ground at the far right is young outfielder Bernie Carbo. Sitting in the first row, second player from the right, I believe, is Bobby Tolan. Standing in the second row, the last player on the right, is pitcher Wayne Granger. Next to him is infielder Woody Woodward and next to Woodward is shortstop Davey Concepcion. On the other side of that row, pitcher Jim McGlothlin is the second player in from the left. Up top, the second player on the left is pitcher Gary Nolan. Next to him, I believe, is first baseman Lee May. Two players over from May is pitcher Wayne Simpson.

No one understands him but his woman: I don't have a good idea where Johnny Bench is in this photo. It's possible he's sitting next to Rose. But he could have missed the shoot for all I know.

(A word about the back): Notice it doesn't say "Black Sox" under the Reds' Series opponent in 1919. It's kind of a pet peeve of mine when people refer to the 1919 White Sox as the "Black Sox" in official stats or stories of record.