In 1934, motivated by civic pride and a love of baseball, entrepreneur and industrialist Powel Crosley Jr., Cincinnati 1901, purchased a financially strapped Cincinnati Reds franchise. Crosley brought stability and innovation to the Reds.

During his nearly three decades of stewardship, the Reds organization introduced night baseball to the Major Leagues, expanded its home ballpark, solidified the grand Cincinnati Opening Day tradition, hosted two All-Star games, fielded some of the most memorable teams in club history, and strengthened its position as an integral part of the civic and cultural fabric of Greater Cincinnati.