What Is 1939 Cincinnati Reds baseball team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1939 Cincinnati Reds finished the season with a 97–57 record, winning the National League pennant but losing the World Series to the New York Yankees in a four-game sweep. Managed by Bill McKechnie, the team played its home games at Crosley Field.

Key Facts

Finished regular season with a 97–57 record, best in the National League
Won the National League pennant by 4.5 games over the St. Louis Cardinals
Lost the 1939 World Series to the New York Yankees in four straight games
Played home games at Crosley Field, located in Cincinnati, Ohio
Manager Bill McKechnie led the team to its second pennant in five years

Overview

The 1939 Cincinnati Reds were one of the most successful teams in National League history during the pre-war era, posting a dominant 97–57 record to secure the league pennant. Under the leadership of manager Bill McKechnie, the Reds outperformed rivals like the St. Louis Cardinals and Brooklyn Dodgers to claim their first pennant since 1933.

The team featured a balanced roster with strong offensive production and reliable pitching, highlighted by standout performances from Bucky Walters and Paul Derringer. Despite their regular-season success, the Reds were swept in four games by the New York Yankees in the World Series, underscoring the gap between National and American League powerhouses at the time.

Bucky Walters won the National League MVP award after posting a 27–11 record with a 2.29 ERA over 354 innings pitched.
Paul Derringer contributed 25 wins and a 2.93 ERA, forming one of the most effective 1–2 pitching duos in baseball.
The Reds scored 788 runs during the regular season, ranking second in the league behind only the Cardinals.
They led the National League in team batting average at .292, fueled by consistent hitting across the lineup.
Attendance at Crosley Field surged during the pennant race, with the team drawing over 670,000 fans for the season.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 1939 season was defined by strong starting pitching, timely hitting, and disciplined base running, allowing Cincinnati to maintain a consistent lead in the standings. The team’s success was built on fundamentals and depth, with key contributions from both veterans and emerging players.

Starting Rotation: The Reds' top two starters, Walters and Derringer, combined for 52 wins, accounting for over half of the team’s total victories.
Offensive Leaders: Ival Goodman led the team with a .309 batting average, while Frank McCormick drove in 103 runs from the cleanup spot.
Fielding Efficiency: Cincinnati committed only 107 errors during the season, the second-fewest in the league.
Home vs. Road: The team went 53–24 at Crosley Field and 44–33 on the road, showing strong performance in both settings.
September Push: The Reds clinched the pennant in early September, finishing 4.5 games ahead of the second-place Cardinals.
World Series Appearance: Despite being heavily favored to lose, the sweep by the Yankees highlighted the Reds’ lack of postseason experience.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a statistical comparison between the 1939 Cincinnati Reds and their closest National League competitors:

Team	W–L Record	Runs Scored	Team ERA	Home Attendance
1939 Cincinnati Reds	97–57	788	3.45	672,851
St. Louis Cardinals	92–61	827	3.71	575,896
Brooklyn Dodgers	84–69	783	3.90	612,000
Chicago Cubs	84–70	731	3.88	516,383
Pittsburgh Pirates	83–71	755	4.03	463,774

The Reds’ superior win total and lower team ERA gave them the edge over higher-scoring teams like the Cardinals. Their strong pitching and home-field advantage at Crosley Field played a crucial role in securing the pennant, even though they were ultimately outmatched in the World Series by the more experienced Yankees.

Why It Matters

The 1939 Cincinnati Reds represent a pivotal moment in franchise history, marking the peak of the team’s success in the 1930s and setting the stage for future competitiveness. Though they fell short in the World Series, their performance elevated the profile of Cincinnati baseball and inspired later championship teams.

The Reds became the first National League team to draw over 670,000 fans in a season, signaling growing popularity.
Manager Bill McKechnie solidified his legacy, later being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
Bucky Walters’ MVP season set a high bar for future Reds pitchers, including Hall of Famers like Johnny Cueto.
The team’s emphasis on pitching and defense influenced Reds strategy for decades to come.
Despite the World Series loss, the 1939 season laid the foundation for the Reds’ eventual 1940 World Series championship.
The performance helped establish Crosley Field as a premier venue, contributing to its status as a baseball landmark.

The 1939 season remains a benchmark for excellence in Reds history, illustrating how strong team construction and individual brilliance can lead to sustained success even without a final title.