This Day in Reds History: '26 Reds begin to crumble

On this day in 1900, Cincinnati's Tommy Corcoran discovers a wire in the field while coaching third base at the Baker Bowl in Philadelphia. Upon further investigation, the Reds find that the wire leads to the Phillies' clubhouse in the outfield. A reserve would steal the catcher's signals from a distance and wire the information to the third base coach, who would inform the batter. The discovery wouldn't make much of a difference for the Reds as they dropped both games of a doubleheader. The Phillies swept the Reds in the five-game series as well.

Also on this day in 1900, Reds Hall of Famer Hughie Critz was born in Starkville, MS.

On this day in 1926, the Reds entered play tied for first with the Cardinals. Cincinnati and New York were tied at four runs apiece after nine innings at the Polo Grounds. Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch hit a game-winning home run in the bottom of the tenth to hand the Reds a 5-4 loss. The Reds fell behind the Cardinals for good and lost seven of their last nine games to finish two games behind St. Louis. Two losses came against fifth place New York, three losses came against seventh place Boston, and two losses (and a tie) came against last place Philadelphia. I'm not sure where this ranks among the Reds' worst collapses, but I would guess it comes out near the top of the list.

On this day in 1953, the Reds fired manager Rogers Hornsby.

On this day in 1960, former Red John Franco was born in Brooklyn. He recorded 148 saves with a 2.49 ERA (153 ERA+) in his six years with the Reds.

On this day in 1995, former Red Quinton McCracken made his major league debut with the Rockies at the age of 25. McCracken appeared in 45 games with Cincinnati in 2006.