The Machine: A Hot Team, a Legendary Season, and a Heart-stopping World Series: The Story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds

From the best-selling author of Baseball 100

“Posnanski offers an eloquent reminder that the great Cincinnati Reds teams—especially the ‘75 Reds—deserve a place of prominence in our memory, same as this book demands a place of prominence on your shelf.” —New York Post

There are great teams in baseball—and then there are classic teams like the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. From 1972 to 1976, the franchise known as the Big Red Machine dominated the National League, and their 1975 season has become the stuff of sports legend.

In The Machine, award-winning sports columnist Joe Posnanski captures all of the passion and tension, drama and glory of this extraordinary championship team considered to be one of the greatest of all time. Helmed by Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, the lineup for the ’75 Reds is a “Who’s Who” of baseball greats, including Pete Rose, Ken Griffey Sr., and Joe Morgan.

But that remarkable year was not without controversy: feuds, fights, insults, and run-ins with fans were as much a part of the season as hits, runs, steals, and strikeouts. Capturing this rollicking thrill-ride of a story, Posnanski brings to life the excitement, hope, and high-expectations that surrounded the players from the beginning of spring training through the long summer and into a nailbiting World Series, where, in the ninth inning of the seventh game, the Big Red Machine fulfilled its destiny, defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-3.

There are memorable teams in baseball—and then there are utterly unforgettable teams like the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. From 1972 to 1976, the franchise known as the Big Red Machine dominated the National League, winning four division crowns, three league pennants, and two World Series titles. But their 1975 season has become the stuff of sports legend.

In The Machine, award-winning sports columnist Joe Posnanski captures all of the passion and tension, drama and glory of this extraordinary team considered to be one of the greatest ever to take the field. Helmed by Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, the lineup for the '75 Reds is a Who's Who of baseball stars: Pete Rose, Ken Griffey, Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez, George Foster, Cesar Geronimo, and Dave Concepcion. Like a well-oiled engine, the '75 Reds ended the regular season with 108 wins and finished a whopping 20 games ahead of their closest division competitor, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

But that remarkable year was not without controversy. Feuds, fights, insults, and run-ins with fans were as much a part of the season as hits, runs, steals, and strikeouts. Capturing this rollicking thrill-ride of a story, Posnanski brings to vivid life the excitement, hope, and high expectations that surrounded the players from the beginning of spring training through the long summer and into a nail-biting World Series, where, in the ninth inning of the seventh game, the Big Red Machine fulfilled its destiny, defeating the Boston Red Sox 4-3.

As enthralling and entertaining as the season and players it captures, The Machine is the story of a team unlike any other in the sport's glorious history.

“If you like baseball you will love this book.... The writing in this book is inviting, the storytelling magical and the detail fanatical.” - The Chronicle (Augusta, GA)

“Need something to lift your spirits as a sports fan? Then you need to turn to the Cincinnati Reds.... I’m talking about The Machine, a new book released this week about arguably the greatest team of all time, and written by arguably the finest sportswriter plying his craft these days, Joe Posnanski.” - Oxford Press (Ohio)

“Posnanski brings the 1975 Big Red Machine to life.... He imparts an insider’s feel for the clubhouse dynamics among the players and for the thinking of their sneaky-smart manager, Sparky Anderson.... [A] winner of a baseball book.” - Booklist

“I didn’t put it down until I had read straight through… The best baseball writer around, Joe transports the reader back to 1975 for a detailed look at arguably the greatest team ever. No Reds fan will want to miss this book. No baseball fan should either.” - Jim Callis, Baseball America

“The best book ever written about the Big Red Machine.... [A] fast-paced narrative that takes the reader not only into the clubhouse but inside the players’ heads.... The book that will be the one fans read 100 years from now to figure out what made the greatest assemblage of 1-8 position talent tick.... More than anything, though, I think the reason I liked the book so much is that it made me care again.” - Cincinnati Enquirer

“The best sports book I’ve read in recent months is The Machine.... A fun engaging and fascinating look at one of baseball’s all-time great teams.” - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

“One of the best sports writers in America offers a definitive account of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds. [His] coversational style brings to life a great season.” - Washington Times