Reds Legend Johnny Bench Announces Passing of Big Red Machine Coach Alex Grammas
By Ryan Flores
It's a very sad day for Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds fans.
On Saturday, Johnny Bench announced on Twitter that former Reds third base coach Alex Grammas has passed away. Grammas was best known for being a part of the Big Red Machine, the nickname for the 1970s Reds team that dominated the National League.
@MLB @Reds @tigers We have lost the best friend and coach baseball ever. #alex grammas is now sitting on the bench with Sparky. He left us last night. Got called up to the big show! I loved that man! RIP.
— Johnny Bench (@JohnnyBench_5) September 14, 2019
The decade of sheer dominance from the Reds was backed by some of the greatest players in the history of the game, including Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, and Bench. During Grammas' tenure with the Reds, they managed to win the 1970 and 1972 National League pennant, as well as the 1975 World Series against the Boston Red Sox.
RIP- Alex Grammas 93
— 14GregHart (@14GHart) September 14, 2019
Sparky Anderson’s right hand man with the Big Red Machine and the Tigers. Former Brewers manager and major league infielder. #BornToBaseball @Reds pic.twitter.com/9wdVHi5TVp
Grammas was unfortunately never able to carry that success over to the Milwaukee Brewers as a manager, as he put together a 133-190 record in two years with the team. Shortly after, he reunited with former Reds manager Sparky Anderson on the Detroit Tigers as a third base coach. The duo went on to win the 1984 World Series over the San Diego Padres.
Even though Grammas has passed, Tigers and Reds fans alike will always remember him as a winner.