“He must have hit higher than he fielded.” — Pete Rose, circa 1975, upon learning that the former Reds hit king, Bid McPhee, had played without a glove the first 14 years of his career.

        “I'll never forget one game in which Bid and I played. It was before the days of masks and pads, and a foul had smashed him in the nose. While we were patching him up, I heard one girl in the crowd say, “Oh it didn't hurt him any. He's a professional.” That remark became a club standby, and whenever anybody had a finger knocked out, we used to spring the estimate of that fair fan, who imagined that a professional couldn't get hurt.” — McPhee friend, Tom Marshall.

        “When he told me he was going to retire, it brought tears to my eyes. As long as I have been playing ball, I have always looked up to McPhee. He was the peer of all ballplayers, and there has never been a player who did not look up to him. He could draw a big salary as long as he wore a uniform, whether he played or not, but he would not listen to it, and he retires as the honorable man he is.” — Reds manager Bob Allen in March 1900.

Special Hall of Fame Coverage Sparky's 15 minutes of fame too short Most viewers shut out of live Hall coverage Brennaman is outspoken, on the ball and fun Hall of Fame inductions reunite 1975 heroes Tony had the numbers and the knack Five questions with Tony Tony's future: Sunny in Florida What they say about Tony All about Tony Part huckster, part genius, pure Sparky Five questions with Sparky Sparky's future: Golf, grandkids, no baseball What they say about Sparky All about Sparky Marty has classic voice for classic memories Marty's future: Cincinnati forever What they say about Marty All about Marty Five questions with Marty McPhee set standard for a century Five questions with Bid What they say about Bid

• Return to Reds front page...