This Day in Reds History: Cincy sells a former MVP

On this day in 1940, the Reds sold left fielder Morrie "Snooker" Arnovich to the New York Giants. He had an up-and-down career at the plate. Arnovich hit .324 with walks and doubles in 1939 with the Phillies. The performance earned him a spot on the All-Star team as well as some MVP votes. He slumped the next season, and Philadelphia traded him to Cincinnati in June.

On this day in 1941, the Reds bought left fielder Jo-Jo Moore from the Giants. Moore was from Gause, TX and was known as the "Gause Ghost." On the same day, Cincinnati also purchased Morrie Arnovich from the Giants. He wouldn't appear in the majors in his second stint with the Reds' organization.

On this day in 1945, the Reds sold 1940 MVP and team Hall of Fame inductee Frank McCormick to the Phillies for $30,000. McCormick would be 35 in 1946. Despite his age, he did manage a productive year in 1946, which would be his last full season in the majors.

On this day in 1947, the Reds sold righty Elmer Riddle to the Pirates.

On this day in 1996, Cincinnati signed left-hander Kent Mercker. After splitting time between Baltimore and Cleveland in both the rotation and the bullpen in 1996, he started 25 of his 28 games with the Reds in 1997. He went 8-11 in 145 innings, though he posted an ERA of 3.92 while the league mark was 4.20. Mercker signed with the Cardinals after the 1997 season and later returned to the Queen City for two more stints with the team. He worked exclusively as a reliever in both of his later spells with the team.

3 Fast 3 Furious picked up the point last week. Upon Lee Smith's retirement, John Franco became the active player with the most career saves.

Frank McCormick was the third Red to win the MVP award. Who was the first?