Before the Machine: The Story of the 1961 Pennant-Winning Reds

The franchise had struggled since World War II, and long-time team owner Powel Crosley died just days before the season began. New general manager Bill DeWitt had made a few trades but the new players didn't offer much hope. Everything expected another dismal year.

Then, somehow, all of the pieces fell together in one remarkable season that kicked off a return to winning baseball in Cincinnati—a trend that lasted through the century. With young starting pitchers like Jim ...