Staff Report

CINCINNATI — This year’s season-long celebration of baseball’s first professional team kicks into high gear on Saturday, May 4, with a host of festivities planned.
The May 4th date holds special significance as it is the 150th anniversary of the first game played by the 1869 Red Stockings, who represented baseball’s first all-salaried team.
As part of the salute on May 4 to that legendary club, the 1869 Red Stockings Pavilion outside the Reds Hall of Fame will be officially dedicated.
Also for the game that night, the first 20,000 fans will receive a commemorative Mr. Redlegs bobblehead depicted in the uniform of the 1869 Red Stockings, thanks to Skyline Chili.
The May 4th game also marks the first in a series of 15 throwback uniforms the Reds will wear throughout the 2019 season to honor this year’s anniversary.
This first set of uniforms will be from the 1902 style that was worn in the inaugural season of the famed “Palace of the Fans” ballpark.
The Reds will also wear throwbacks for the Sunday, May 5 game, which will feature an all-blue look from the 1911 road uniform.