The Boston Reds were a Major League Baseball franchise that played in the Players' League (PL) in 1890, and one season in the American Association (AA) in 1891. In both seasons, the Reds were their league's champion, making them the second team to win back-to-back championships in two different leagues. The first franchise to accomplish this feat was the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, who won the AA championship in 1889 and the National League (NL) championship in 1890. The Reds played their home games at the Congress Street Grounds.

The Reds were an instant success on the field and in the public's opinion.Foulds, p. 140 The team signed several top-level players, and they played in a larger, more comfortable and modern ballpark than the Boston Beaneaters, the popular and well established cross-town rival. Player signings that first year included future Hall of Famers King Kelly, Dan Brouthers, and Charles Radbourn, along with other veterans such as Hardy Richardson, Matt Kilroy, Harry Stovey, and Tom Brown. The PL ended after one season, leaving most of its teams without a league.Nemec, p. 214

After the dissolution of the PL, the AA voted to allow the Reds into the new combined league. This was based on the condition that all players be returned to their former clubs via the reserve clause. Although the team's on-field captain, Kelly, became the player-manager for a new AA club, the Cincinnati Kelly's Killers, the Reds stayed intact by keeping several of their top players.Nemec, p. 213 Of the club's key players from the previous year's team, Brouthers, Richardson, and Brown were retained. To fill the void of the departing players, the team brought in future Hall of Famers Hugh Duffy and Clark Griffith, along with solid veterans Paul Radford, Charlie Buffinton, and George Haddock. When the 1891 season ended, the AA folded as well, leaving the NL as the sole major league, and the Reds were bought out by the surviving NL clubs.Nemec, p. 235

Players

+ Key to symbols in player tablePlayer was a player-managerInducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and MuseumIndicates the player is a Hall of Famer and was a player-manager + Players who have played for the Boston Reds, primary position played, and season(s) played for franchisePlayerPosition(s)Season(s)NotesRef(s) First baseman 1890–1891 In 1891, he led the AA in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. Center fielder 1890–1891 In 1891, he led the AA in at bats, runs scored, hits, triples, and stolen bases. Pitcher 1891 He won 29 games during his only season with the team. Catcher 1891 He played in six games during his only season in the major leagues. Pitcher 1890–1891 He won 18 games during his one season with the Reds. Catcher 1891 He went hitless in seven at bats in 1891. Right fielder 1891 He was loaned to the Washington Senators after playing in four games with the Reds. Right fielder 1891 In 1891, he tied with teammate Duke Farrell for the AA lead in RBIs. 3B / Catcher 1891 In 1891, he led the AA in home runs, and tied for the lead in runs batted in with teammate Hugh Duffy. Pitcher 1891 He played six games during his only season in the major leagues. Catcher 1891 He played in one game during his only season in the major leagues. Pitcher 1891 Griffith began his playing career in 1891, and finished the season having played in ten games for the Reds. Pitcher 1890 He won 23 games for the 1890 Reds. Pitcher 1891 In 1891, he led the league in shutouts and won 34 games. * Shortstop 1890–1891 He was a player-manager for the Reds in 1891, and was the brother of John Irwin, who was also his teammate in 1891. Utility player 1891 Irwin played sparingly for both the Reds and the Louisville Colonels in 1891, his last season in the major leagues. Center fielder 1890 He played in two games before being sold to the New York Giants, also of the PL. Third baseman 1890–1891 In 1890, he was the starting third baseman, and led the PL in bases on balls. § Catcher / Outfielder 1890–1891 Kelly was at the tail end of his Hall of Fame playing career when he became a player-manager of the 1890 Reds, and then later of the Cincinnati Kelly's Killers. Pitcher 1890 He had a pitching record of 9–15 for the Reds in 1890, his last full season in the major leagues. Pitcher 1890–1891 He played in thirteen games for the 1890 Reds, and one in 1891. Left fielder 1890 He split the 1891 season with the Reds and the Philadelphia Athletics of the AA. First baseman / Shortstop 1890 He played two games in the 1890 Reds' season, the last season of his 15-year career. Catcher 1890–1891 He was the starting catcher during both of the franchise's seasons, which were the first two seasons of his 11-year career. Third baseman 1890 He was the starting third baseman in 1890. Pitcher 1891 O'Brien had a pitching record of 18–13 in his final season. It was his last season in the major leagues due to his death during the off-season. Left fielder / Catcher 1891 He played in two games for the Reds in 1891, which was his only season in the major leagues. Second baseman 1890 He was the starting second baseman in 1890, and was the first Australian-born person to play in the major leagues. Pitcher 1890 He had a 27–12 record for the Reds in 1890, the second-to-last season of his career. Shortstop 1891 He was the starting shortstop in 1891. Left fielder 1890–1891 He started in left field for both teams. In 1890, he led the PL in runs batted in. Right fielder 1890 In 1890, he was the starting right fielder and led the PL in stolen bases. Second baseman 1891 In 1891, he was the starting second baseman. Catcher 1890 In 1890, which was his only season in the major leagues, he played in 37 games.

References General Foulds, Allen E. 2005. Boston's Ballparks & Arenas. UPNE. . Nemec, David. Rucker, Mark. 2004. The Beer and Whisky League: The Illustrated History of the American Association—Baseball's Renegade Major League. Globe Pequot. . Specific

External links Franchise index at Baseball-Reference and Retrosheet