Making the Big Red Machine: Bob Howsam and the Cincinnati Reds of the 1970s

by Daryl Smith

With a line-up that included future Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez and Pete Rose, Cincinnati's "Big Red Machine" powered its way in the 1970s to six division titles, four pennants, and two World Series. Three other times in that decade they finished second in their division to the eventual pennant winner. While much has been written about the players and manager Sparky Anderson, no book until now has given adequate attention to the man behind the Machine, general manager Bob Howsam. From his hire in 1967 through the end of his first stint with the Reds in 1978, Howsam brought about a remarkable change in fortune for the Reds, who had claimed only one pennant in the 26 years before his arrival. This detailed history of baseball's last dynasty shows not only how the team performed but why, delving into the off-field strategy and moves behind the Reds' success.

Genres: Baseball

360 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2009

Reviews

[Dylan Bean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go Pete!

[Rob D'orso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story that describes the way the Reds of the 70s were assembled, but a few spelling errors that always are a distraction to me when I’m reading.

[Kevin Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a life-long fan of the innovative baseball lifer named Bob Howsam, have always been intrigued by his thought process , his journey thru a highly succesful baseball life and the many amazing moves he made along the way. There havent been many books covering Mr. howsam, so this was most welcome. The new interviews where Bob places his career and events in clearer context with the times, were an added bonus, and timely As he sadly passed away soon after. REDS fans, this is a must read, in my opinion, especially if you were alive during Mr. Howsam's hey-day. Also greatly enjoyed the chapters on the pete rose trade to return as manager, some of that inside workings info has not been shared anywhere else before. An excellent read. A great man.

[Chip Rickard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book. It isn't easy to write on a subject like this that so many have written about and not be derivative. This was not only a book on the Big Red Machine but also a mini-biography of Bob Howsam. There is a lot of information in this book that was not in some of the other books about the Big Red Machine. If you are a fan of the Reds and grew up with this team, it is a must-read.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sensational book about the building and development of the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970s. Reads very easy and really highlights the great (and not so great) moves by a guy who deserves to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame, Bob Howsam.