Cincinnati Reds

Lore & Background

This rivalry traces its official roots to the birth of the National League in 1876, but the competitive history is more complex. While the Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first fully professional team in 1869, they disbanded after the 1870 season. A new franchise emerged, joining the National Association in 1872, where they faced Chicago in official league play starting in 1874.

Contrary to popular belief, the Cincinnati franchise was not continuously in the National League since its founding. After the original Red Stockings folded, the city's team joined the rival American Association in 1882 and remained there until 1889 before rejoining the NL in 1890. When the modern era of the rivalry is considered from 1876, both Chicago (then the White Stockings) and Cincinnati were charter members. The dynamic shifted dramatically over the decades as both clubs navigated changing eras, eventually becoming divisional rivals within the NL Central. Throughout history, the rivalry has been defined by intense battles for supremacy, fueled by long championship droughts and moments of heartbreaking failure.

In Their Own Story

The late afternoon sun bleeds orange across the ivy at Wrigley Field as the wind chimes in the bleachers rattle like nervous anticipation. A veteran Cubs pitcher winds up, his eyes locked on a Cincinnati batter wearing the scarlet cap that has haunted Chicago dreams since the 19th century. The crowd holds its breath, a collective memory of every narrow defeat against their Ohio neighbors echoing in the stands. As the pitch cracks across the plate, the ensuing roar isn't just for a hit; it's a release of over a century of shared history, where every strikeout feels like settling an old score written when baseball was still finding its legs.

Reader's Guide

The rivalry's roots dig deep into the National League's foundation in 1876, making it one of the oldest continuous contests in American sports. As charter members, both franchises quickly established themselves as early powerhouses, setting the standard for professional play before the turn of the century.

While often overshadowed by the Cubs' feuds with St. Louis or Milwaukee today, the stakes remain high whenever these two meet. The intensity peaks during pennant races where a single loss to Cincinnati can derail Chicago's title hopes. Now locked in divisional battles within the NL Central, every series often serves as a de facto playoff preview.

What truly fuels this feud is historical parity and a unique bond forged in shared suffering. Both fanbases intimately understand the specific pain of near-misses and championship droughts better than most. When these two teams clash, it isn't just about wins and losses; it's a reminder that neither franchise has ever been alone in their struggle for glory.

Did You Know?

• Both the Cubs and Reds were charter members of the National League in 1876, but professional competition between them actually began two years earlier in the National Association (1874).
• The original Cincinnati Red Stockings disbanded after the 1870 season; a new franchise joined the National Association in 1872, meaning the 'original' team did not last until 1876.
• Unlike some other franchises, the Cincinnati Reds were not continuously in the National League; they played in the American Association from 1882 to 1889 before returning to the NL in 1890.
• Pre-1876 games between Chicago and Cincinnati included official professional league competition within the National Association, not just independent or exhibition matches.