This Day in Reds History: Kiki Cuyler dies

On this day in 1904, the Reds sold Hall of Fame first baseman Jake Beckley to the Cardinals. Beckley's career had an odd shape. He never had a truly great season, and he was probably never the best player in the league in any year of his career. However, Beckley was a very good player every season for 20 years. You might think of him as a rich man's Johnny Damon

On this day in 1915, the Reds traded second baseman Bert Niehoff to the Phillies in exchange for catcher Red Dooin.

On this day in 1950, former Red and Hall of Famer Kiki Cuyler died in Ann Arbor, MI at the age of 51. Cuyler is better known for his years with the Pirates and Cubs, though he played just over 300 games with the Reds. He's an example of a weaker Hall of Fame selection from the hitter-happy 1920s and '30s. You look at his numbers, and think, "Damn, what a hitter," but when you look at the league averages, it really takes the air out of his stats.

In 1930, Cuyler hit .355/.428/.547 with 134 RBI and 155 runs. Those numbers are ridiculous. He finished third in RBI and second in runs scored. When you look a little bit closer, you notice that the league hit .303/.360/.448. and that Chicago had one of the best offenses in the league. The National League averaged more runs per game in 1930 than in any other season in the modern era. Don't get me wrong; Cuyler still had a hell of a season, but that gaudy slash line was good for an OPS+ of "only" 133.

On this day in 1963, former Red Todd Benzinger was born in Dayton, KY.

On this day in 1996, Cincinnati signed right-handed reliever Jerry Spradlin.

On this day in 2010, the Reds signed righty Kip Wells.

On this day in 2013, Cincinnati signed righty reliever Clay Hensley.

-ManBearPig picked up the point last Wednesday.

The Reds had a pretty abysmal year at the plate in 1930, scoring just 665 runs while St. Louis scored 1,004 and Chicago scored 998. Which Reds team holds the club record for the most runs scored in the modern era with 865?