Retiring a number is the highest honor a baseball franchise can bestow, a permanent promise that no one will ever again wear those digits on their back. For the Cincinnati Reds, each retired number tells a story of greatness, loyalty, and the kind of moments that keep fans talking for generations.
#5 - Johnny Bench (retired August 11 1984) (Hall of Fame)
Johnny Bench was simply the greatest catcher in baseball history, and the Reds retired his number 5 to honor a career that defined what it meant to wear Cincinnati red. Over more than two thousand games, Bench slugged 389 home runs and drove in 1,376 runs, numbers that would be remarkable for any position player and are absolutely extraordinary for a catcher. He was the beating heart of the Big Red Machine dynasty, and his place in franchise history is as secure as any player who ever lived.
Career: 2,158 G · .267 AVG · 389 HR · 1,376 RBI · 2,048 H
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#11 - Barry Larkin (retired August 25 2012) (Hall of Fame)
Barry Larkin spent his entire career as a Cincinnati Red, and that loyalty alone would have earned him a place in the hearts of Reds fans forever. He finished with a .295 batting average, 2,340 hits, and 379 stolen bases, proving he was one of the most complete shortstops the game had ever seen. The Reds retired number 11 to honor a homegrown hero who chose to stay, lead, and ultimately lift the franchise to a World Series title in 1990.
Career: 2,180 G · .295 AVG · 198 HR · 960 RBI · 2,340 H
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#20 - Frank Robinson (retired May 22 1998) (Hall of Fame)
Frank Robinson was a force of nature during his years in Cincinnati, compiling a .294 batting average and 586 home runs across a Hall of Fame career that began on the banks of the Ohio River. His time with the Reds in the 1950s and 1960s helped transform the franchise into a genuine National League powerhouse, and his intensity and competitiveness set a standard that players looked up to for decades. Retiring number 20 was the Reds organization's way of saying thank you to the man who helped build the culture of excellence the franchise still strives to honor today.
Career: 2,808 G · .294 AVG · 586 HR · 1,812 RBI · 2,943 H
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The Whole Lineup on One Plaque
Can't pick just one? The Cincinnati Reds All-Time Greats plaque brings the franchise legends together on a single piece.
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The Complete List of Cincinnati Reds Retired Numbers
Every number the Cincinnati Reds have officially retired, in order, with career totals and Hall of Famers marked.
| Number | Player | Retired | Career Stats |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Fred Hutchinson | 1964 | 95-71 · 3.73 ERA · 591 K · 1,464 IP |
| #5 | Johnny Bench (Hall of Fame) | 1984 | 2,158 G · .267 AVG · 389 HR · 1,376 RBI · 2,048 H |
| #8 | Joe Morgan (Hall of Fame) | 1998 | 2,649 G · .271 AVG · 268 HR · 1,133 RBI · 2,517 H |
| #10 | Sparky Anderson (Hall of Fame) | 2005 | 152 G · .218 AVG · 0 HR · 34 RBI · 104 H |
| #11 | Barry Larkin (Hall of Fame) | 2012 | 2,180 G · .295 AVG · 198 HR · 960 RBI · 2,340 H |
| #13 | Dave Concepción | 2007 | — |
| #14 | Pete Rose | 2016 | 3,562 G · .303 AVG · 160 HR · 1,314 RBI · 4,256 H |
| #18 | Ted Kluszewski | 1998 | 1,718 G · .298 AVG · 279 HR · 1,028 RBI · 1,766 H |
| #20 | Frank Robinson (Hall of Fame) | 1998 | 2,808 G · .294 AVG · 586 HR · 1,812 RBI · 2,943 H |
| #24 | Tony Pérez (Hall of Fame) | 2000 | — |
| #42 | Jackie Robinson (Hall of Fame) | 1997 | 1,382 G · .311 AVG · 137 HR · 734 RBI · 1,518 H |
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Each plaque includes genuine licensed trading cards. The exact card may vary slightly from the one pictured; you'll always get a genuine licensed card of this player.