Ernie Lombardi

Ernie Lombardi was renowned for blistering line drives as well as his pronounced profile. Using an interlocking grip and one of the league's heaviest bats, the Crosley-era catcher hit better than .300 seven times for the Reds and remains the only catcher in major league history with two batting titles. On the eve of Cincinnati's back-to-back pennants in 1939-40, Lombardi became the first Red to win an MVP award, hitting a league-best .342 with 19 home runs and 95 RBIs in 1938. The eight-time All-Star was inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame in 1958 and the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986.

Cincinnati, Ohio · United States