:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24377647/mariosoto.0.jpg)
On this day in 1937, the Reds traded shortstop Eddie Miller and cash to the Yankees for catcher Willard Hershberger. Miller was a dependable, glove-first shortstop for 14 major league seasons. Hershberger is unfortunately best remembered as the only big league ballplayer to commit suicide in the middle of the season. I wrote about Hershberger and his suicide last spring.
On this day in 1947, Cincinnati sold lefty Jim Predergast to the Boston Braves. He would appear in 10 games for Boston in 1948, which were the only games of his major league career.
On this day in 1958, the Reds acquired left-hander Luis Arroyo from the Pirates in exchange for pinch-hitter Nino Escalera.
On this day in 1960, the Reds sold infielder Billy Martin to the Milwaukee Braves. Martin would later go on to manage the Yankees five different times as well as four other teams.
On this day in 1963, former Red Damon Berryhill was born in South Laguna, CA.
On this day in 1971, Cincinnati sent right-handed reliever Wayne Granger to Minnesota for lefty reliever Tom Hall.
On this day in 1973, the Reds signed Mario Soto, who was just 17 years old at the time. He debuted in the majors at the age of 20 and had one of the great "what if?" careers in baseball history.
The finest muffins picked up the point last Wednesday. Austin Kearns was the fourth and final rookie to slug .500 or better for the Reds.
During Mario Soto's peak from 1980 to 1985, he recorded more strikeouts than anyone in baseball. Who was second in that timeframe?