I agree with the submission by Mike Scott of Pennsylvania, who wrote that "The 1976 Reds Deserve More Credit." In 1976 the Big Red Machine was at its most awesome peak of power. Yes, the 1975 Reds won six more games, and participated against the Red Sox in perhaps the best World Series ever. Yet 1975 was only a precursor, a tune up, for what was to come for the Reds in 1976. As Mike mentioned, this '76 Big Red Machine was the only team in history to sweep the playoffs and the World Series, taking the Yankees in 4 games in spite of a phenomenal series for New York from their catcher, Thurman Munson. Their sheer power and speed were pure excitement to watch the entire season, such that they seemed to tower above the rest of the field, as if in a league of their own. One had the sense when watching the Reds in the Bicentennial that one was truly witnessing one of history's greatest teams. Of course it would not be fair to pick both the '75 and the '76 Reds as two of the bes!t teams ever. If you examine carefully which of these two teams was actually better, the tip of my hat would have to go to the '76 Big Red Machine. Most Reds fans from that era would agree, I think.

» Darryl Centers was spoiled growing up as a loyal fan of the Big Red Machine, baseball at its finest and most exciting. When his favorite player, Tony Perez, was traded after the 1976 season, and the Reds failed to even win the pennant in 1977, he was heartbroken, and has never been a serious fan of any team since. He still loves to watch a good game, however.

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