The 1940 Cincinnati Reds season was the 58th season for the franchise. Cincinnati entered the season as the reigning National League champion, having been swept by the New York Yankees in the World Series the previous year. They would defeat the Detroit Tigers four games to three to take the World Series title.
Cincinnati won 100 games for the first time in franchise history. The team finished first in the National League with a record of 100âÂÂ53, winning the pennant by 12 games over the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the best record in MLB. They went on to face the Detroit Tigers in the 1940 World Series, beating them in seven games. This was their first championship since 1919.
In August, back up catcher Willard Hershberger, depressed over what he felt was culpability for losing both games of a doubleheader, took his life. Coach Jimmie Wilson was added to the roster as the back up catcher. The Reds players would vote to send Hershberger's share of the World Series winnings to his mother
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts
October 2, 1940, at Crosley Field in Cincinnati
October 3, 1940, at Crosley Field in Cincinnati
October 4, 1940, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit
October 5, 1940, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit
October 6, 1940, at Briggs Stadium in Detroit
October 7, 1940, at Crosley Field in Cincinnati
October 8, 1940, at Crosley Field in Cincinnati
<small>LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Durham</SMALL>