By the mid-1950s, Reds fans had grown accustomed to seeing African-American players the likes of Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron — as visiting ballplayers.

It wasn’t until Frank Robinson walked into Crosley Field in 1956 that Cincinnati finally had a black baseball superstar of its own.

“Frank broke on the scene with an awful lot of ammunition and a lot of publicity,” said Reds historian Greg Rhodes. “He opened a lot of eyes that he was here, he was ready and he was going to make an impact.”

In his National League Rookie of the Year season, a 20-year-old Robinson batted .290 with a club-rookie-record 38 home runs that still stands. He also had 83 RBIs and a league-leading 122 runs scored to go with a .379 on-base percentage.

“There had been other really good first-year players that had a lot of the same skills, but never an African-American player,” Rhodes said. “In that regard, Frank really represented something really new on the scene.”

Before leaving Cincinnati in a still lambasted trade with the Orioles in 1966, Robinson was a seven-time National League All-Star, the 1961 NL Most Valuable Player and a 1958 NL Gold Glove Award winner as a left fielder.

Overall, in 1,502 games for the Reds, Robinson batted .303 with 324 homers and 1,009 RBIs.

“He was never an average player,” Rhodes said. “Look at his numbers here — it was 30 home runs a year, 100 runs scored, 100 RBIs, a .500 slugging percentage and he hit .300 — year after year after year for 10 years. No one has had a 10-year run like that in Cincinnati — before or after. He was a phenomenal player, and the greatest player to ever play at Crosley Field.”

Despite his great years on the field for the Reds, Robinson’s time in Cincinnati was complicated to say the least. The city was not known for its racial harmony by any stretch, and many black players encountered overt racism when out of uniform.

For Robinson, who was born in Oakland, Calif., in 1936, and did not endure much known discrimination as a child, his rise through the Minors and the Majors brought unexpected challenges.

“Cincinnati was a very segregated city in the mid-50s,” Rhodes said. “When they went to Tampa for Spring Training, it was a very segregated world. African-American players could not stay in the same hotel. They stayed in a boarding house. For a young man of 19 and 20 coming up in the system, he had to make sense of all that. I’m sure it could not have been easy.

“On the one hand, you’re being cheered and congratulated for making great plays. Then you turn right around and they won’t let you eat at the same table or swim in the same pool or drink from the same drinking fountain.”

Robinson was reportedly bitter about his treatment in Cincinnati, but during a rare appearance in Cincinnati to help promote the 2009 Civil Rights Game, it had appeared that years and distance softened that viewpoint.

“Our society was a little rough back in the ’50s and ’40s all over,” Robinson said. “I found it very pleasant to be here in Cincinnati to play. There were boundaries and regulations. You knew of neighborhoods where you couldn’t go or live in. But that was life at the time. But I found people here in Cincinnati treated you fairly and honestly, and I was glad to be associated with it and it made it very pleasant for me.

“It’s gotten better over the years. The city has really come a long way. The fans and people have, too.”

It’s an enduring sign of just how much Robinson meant to Reds history that his trade from the team is still met with great disdain by their fans nearly 50 years later.

On Dec. 9, 1965, following a season in which Robinson batted .296 with 33 homers and 113 RBIs, Reds general manager Bill DeWitt traded him to Baltimore for pitchers Milt Pappas and Jack Baldschun and outfielder Dick Simpson.

DeWitt defended the deal by saying that Robinson was an “old 30,” and headed for the downside of his career.

Not quite. In 1966 for the Orioles, Robinson won the American League Triple Crown and AL MVP Award. He remains the only player to ever win MVP trophies from both leagues. In 1970, Robinson’s new team beat his former one in the World Series.

“He wasn’t by any means washed up when the Reds traded him,” Rhodes said. “DeWitt was very wrong about that. There was no indication he would start declining. He played at a very high level all throughout his career here. And when he left, his 1965 season, he was still an All-Star.”

Robinson retired as a player in 1976, but spent the final two seasons of his career with the Indians as a player-manager. It made him baseball’s first African-American manager. He would manage for four different organizations in his post-playing career, and he also spent a few years as an executive for Major League Baseball.

But a great career in baseball began in Cincinnati. And within a few years, a wave of other minority stars came through — like Lee May, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Dave Concepcion, George Foster and Ken Griffey Sr.

“Things have really come around full circle, and I think everything is for the better,” Robinson said. “This is a great city right now. It’s a nice city to be in.”

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com.

Get a taste of Spring Training in Cincinnati and see your favorite Cincinnati Reds stars up close and personal before the Opening Day crowd!

Join us to kick off a new season of Reds baseball like never before! In this special exhibition game, Reds fans will have the chance to see their favorite Reds of today match up against the future Reds stars of tomorrow. How will Minor League Player of the Year Billy Hamilton stack up against Mat Latos? What about top pitching prospect Daniel Corcino taking the mound to face Joey Votto? It’s going to be a matchup all Reds fans will want to see.

PLUS, fans will have the opportunity to enjoy plenty of fun activities throughout the evening, including many features you won’t see during regular season games, including:

• Players mic’d up to the PA during batting practice
• Top minor leaguers available for autographs and photos during Major League batting practice
• Unique camera angles of the game action on the video board
• Drawing for the opportunity to throw the ceremonial first pitch
• Free Hall of Fame and Museum admission to fans 12 and younger
• Unique opportunity to snap a photo with your family in front of the entrance to the Reds clubhouse (limited availability)
• Chances to win behind-the-scenes looks at the Reds facility during the game including Scoreboard Control Room, Public Address Announcer Booth, Better Off Red Headquarters and more!

Tickets range from $5-65 and go on sale Saturday, February 4 at 9:00 AM ET.

What: Reds Futures Game

When: April 3, 7:00 PM ET (Gates open at 5:00 PM)

Where: Great American Ball Park

To purchase tickets, please click here.

Motorists driving along Main Street Thursday night were treated to a night-time view of Blue Wahoos Ballpark as the stadium.

In preparation for the upcoming inaugural season of Pensacola’s new Double-A team, crews were undergoing tests of the lighting system early in the evening.

Construction at the stadium site continues toward the team’s debut game on April 5 against the Montgomery Biscuits.

The Pensacola Blue Wahoos have partnered with Pensacola Sports Radio, L.L.C. (PSR) to carry all broadcasts of the Blue Wahoos inaugural season. All 140 regular season and postseason broadcasts will be carried on 1450 AM ESPN, 101.1 FM ESPN and ESPNPensacola.com.

“This is a great opportunity to give our fans maximum exposure to our games,” said Blue Wahoos President Bruce Baldwin. “We have a great relationship with everyone over at ESPN Pensacola and I look forward to a long-term partnership with PSR.”

With the addition of the FM flagship station of 101.1 FM, fans all over the Pensacola area will be able to tune in to Blue Wahoos games with outstanding clarity all summer long. In addition to being streamed on ESPNPensacola.com, the broadcasts will also be made available online at BlueWahoos.com.

“We look forward to our new partnership with the Blue Wahoos and the many levels of benefits it brings,” said PSR President Doug McAllister. “We felt the strength of the ESPN brand, together with the local Blue Wahoos over-the-air broadcast, including the Internet streaming coverage, will bring a new element of sports expertise to the Pensacola market.”

The Blue Wahoos will open play on their inaugural season at home on Thursday, April 5.

The Gulf Coast city of Pensacola, Florida, will bring the beach to Cincinnati – white sand and all – inside Kenwood Towne Center on Feb. 4, when it hosts a family-friendly event to celebrate the upcoming inaugural season of the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, a minor league affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

With the Wahoos’ home opener April 5 at brand-new Maritime Park, Pensacola adds tropical waterfront baseball to already-famous attractions like white sand beaches, the U.S. Navy’s elite Blue Angels, the National Naval Aviation Museum and the only Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Beach Hotel.

Pensacola Spokesperson Laura Lee looks forward to bringing her city to Cincinnati, as well as making it possible for winners to enjoy a unique beach vacation.

“A lucky family will win a trip for four, including airfare, as well as four nights at the Margaritaville Beach Hotel, tickets to a Blue Angels practice and VIP treatment at a Blue Wahoos game,” Lee said. “And there will be something for everyone who comes to Kenwood Towne Center on Feb. 4.”

All that day, mall patrons can register for the VIP trip, and kids can pull beach giveaways from a treasure chest in the sand. Parrot Heads will enjoy Pensacola’s “Five O’clock Somewhere” celebration with free virgin margaritas, Jimmy Buffett music and Margaritaville giveaways from 4-7 p.m.

Reds fans who show up between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. can enjoy Reds mascots and other special guests. Broadcaster Jim Kelch will be at the Kenwood Towne Center “beach” from 11 a.m. to noon, Reds Hall of Famer Leo Cardenas will be available from noon to 1 p.m. and former Second Basemen Ron Oester will be on hand from 1-2 p.m. – all signing autographs.

“Pensacola is thrilled to have an affiliate of the great Reds franchise call Pensacola home, and we look forward to sharing our new waterfront stadium with locals and visitors,” Lee said. “There has never been a better time for Cincinnatians to visit.”

Jimmy Buffett once said, “She came down from Cincinnati – It took her three days on the train – Lookin’ for some peace and quiet – Hoped to see the sun again.” While Lee likes yet another connection between Cincinnati and Pensacola’s Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville Beach Hotel, she is quick to point out that it takes much less than three days to get there.

“With a newly renovated airport, Pensacola is one of the easiest Gulf Coast destinations to reach by air,” Lee said. “The drive, at around 11 hours, can be done in a day.”

Maybe the best news for destinations and visitors is the Gulf Coast’s remarkable recovery from the BP spill of 2010.

“The energy in Pensacola has been amazing,” Lee said. “After our lost summer of 2010, visitors couldn’t wait to return last year, and we ended up having our best year on record. I think everyone appreciates the white sand more than ever.”

The Cincinnati Reds aren’t playing around.

A host of bold winter moves having fortified a talented core with power pitching, power hitting and depth everywhere, the Big Red Machine could be back in business.

It certainly doesn’t hurt Cincinnati’s chances that high-profile personnel has departed the National League Central, notably with the reigning World Series-champion St. Louis Cardinals and defending division-champion Milwaukee Brewers.

Tony La Russa, Dave Duncan and Albert Pujols — St. Louis pillars — leave behind a glorious legacy and a tough act to follow.

Prince Fielder has traded Milwaukee for Detroit and its riches, while bash brother Ryan Braun confronts a 50-game suspension.

Two playoff teams atop the division have been severely depleted, any way you slice it or spin it. Cards rookie skipper Mike Matheny and the Brewers’ Ron Roenicke, who pushed all the right buttons in his debut season, face fresh challenges inside — and outside — their clubhouses.

While the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros remain works in varying degrees of progress, the Reds clearly have loaded up, sacrificing potential for proven merchandise.

The message in Ohio rings loud and clear. This club is going for the gusto behind Dusty Baker, one of the game’s elite managers, and general manager Walt Jocketty, among its shrewdest judges of talent.

The Reds have covered all the bases this winter.

Since a disappointing 2011 ended with a 79-83 record, Cincinnati has acquired top-shelf starter Mat Latos and elite closer Ryan Madson, late-game shutdown lefty Sean Marshall and a power weapon for left field in Ryan Ludwick.

Latos, who cost the Reds three premium prospects and starter Edinson Volquez in a trade with San Diego, fronts a deep rotation that might include Aroldis Chapman. If the big Cuban lefty steadies his command and finds himself, Cincinnati could have one of the most lethal rotations in the game.

Madson, who withstood the pressures in his emergence with Philadelphia, replaces Francisco Cordero. Marshall, a breaking-ball artist known to bust up rallies, will be the primary setup man in a bullpen rich with young power arms.

Baker, whose managerial career began with San Francisco in 1993, is a baseball lifer who teaches with a firm hand but is fiercely supportive of his athletes, most of whom will run through walls for him.

“I think we have an excellent chance and an excellent team,” Baker said. “I’m very happy. These are the most moves, combined, in an offseason since I’ve been here.

“You’re always wishing for some more. You don’t know ever if you have enough until you get into the season to compare with other teams. Walt and his cabinet worked tirelessly to try and improve and make deals.”

Relentlessly positive on his turf, Baker always likes his team’s chances.

His management of Chapman’s innings and pitch counts will be closely monitored. But that too is nothing new for Baker, a man who has pretty much done, seen and heard it all.

In response to the bashing Baker took in the Windy City for his use of young Cubs starters Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, Greg Maddux — arguably the game’s leading authority on the craft of pitching — will passionately defend his former Chicago boss.

“It’s a joke,” said Maddux, now a consultant with the Rangers. “It’s not right. I’ve seen the pitch counts a lot of those guys [in Chicago] had. Prior did everything he could to get his arm right, went down and hurt his shoulder again. Dusty Baker had nothing to do with that.

“It’s just the luck of the draw. I would be very surprised if there was a single time those guys asked to come out of a game. Every time you step out of this dugout and go to the mound, that’s your choice. Nobody is making you do it.

“They did a study of pitch counts in Chicago and found that a high percentage of the highest ones, something like 14 out of 20, were for me and [Rick] Sutcliffe. So what does that tell you?”

A “young 62″ in his words, Baker has remained a pet target of snipers in spite of stellar work in three cities with every type of cast imaginable.

In 2010, when the Reds ended a 14-year postseason drought, they claimed the division with an offensive powerhouse supporting solid starting pitching from Bronson Arroyo, Johnny Cueto and young Mike Leake. Those three are still dealing for Dusty, who could run out a veteran lefty in Jeff Francis, a free agent with whom they reportedly agreed to terms last week.

The attack, featuring the great Joey Votto, remains essentially intact. Ludwick, whose signing is pending a physical, has struggled with the Padres and Pirates the past two seasons, but he should be thrilled to be back in the NL Central. Carrying a .600 career slugging percentage in Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park, the 33-year-old averaged 30 homers and 105 RBIs with the Cards in 2008-09 before being dealt to San Diego — and the vast expanses of Petco Park.

Brandon Phillips is an All-Star at second base, and Zack Cozart will get first call at shortstop with Paul Janish and Wilson Valdez in support. Drew Stubbs in center and Jay Bruce in right have star qualities, and Chris Heisey is solid in left.

The health of club leader Scott Rolen at third is always a concern, but Todd Frazier, Juan Francisco and Miguel Cairo provide depth. Valdez and Willie Harris, multi-position veterans with game, have climbed aboard.

Ramon Hernandez departed for Colorado, but Cincinnati is in good hands behind the plate in underrated Ryan Hanigan and veteran Dioner Navarro, with the gifted Devin Mesoraco knocking on the door.

They will be handling a pitching staff that has the potential to be dominant.

“I’m trying to hold back my excitement,” Baker said, “because we have a ways to go before we go to Spring Training. I’m loving the moves we have made.”

He should have a lot of company on the streets of the gritty city where legends named Bench, Rose, Morgan and Perez once roamed.

Cincinnati Reds games return to Fox Sports Ohio on Monday with the first of four “Reds Classic Rewinds,” which will include a 1999 game with Hall of Fame inductee Barry Larkin.

FSO also will do a new 30-minute weeknight show from spring training for three weeks (March 12-30) at 6:30 PM ET.

Below is the tentative schedule:

February 6, 7:00 PM – 2011 Opening Day v. Milwaukee Brewers:

After trailing the entire game, the Reds notch a walk off win when Ramon Hernandez’ slams an opposite-field 3-run HR giving the Reds a 7-6 win.

February 13, 7:00 PM – St. Louis Cardinals on July 15, 2011:

The Reds claim a 6-5 win in front of a sellout crowd at GABP in their first game after the All-Star Break. A back-and-forth game is capped off with Brandon Phillips’ second career walk off home run, a 2-run shot off Fernando Salas.

February 20, 7:00 PM – San Diego Padres on August 13, 2011:

Reds win 13-1 Reds over San Diego at GABP! This game marked several Reds’ season-highs: most runs in a game, 13; most total bases, 35; and most home runs, 7. It was also the largest winning margin of season, 12. Jay Bruce collects 2 hits for the 4th straight game, with a homer, 3 runs and 2 RBI. A few days later Jay is named the NL Player of the Week for the second time in 2011. Homer Bailey was the winning pitcher, 7IP, 7K.

February 27, 7:00 PM – Chicago Cubs on May 7, 1999:

Barry Larkin goes 3-for-4, with 2 RBI in a 3-2 win. His 2 RBI come from his walk-off double off Rob Beck, scoring Michael Tucker and Chris Stynes (running for Sean Casey).

Monday March 5, 3:00 PM – Reds vs. Cleveland Indians:

LIVE game telecast from Goodyear, AZ, with Thom Brennaman and Chris Welsh.

Monday, March 12, 6:30 PM – “Reds Live – Spring Training 2012″:

New Monday-Friday show will air through 30. Reds fans will get 30 minutes of Reds spring training news, notes, interviews and features from Chris Welsh, and Jeff Piecoro, and some appearances by Jeff Brantley, Jim Kelch and Thom Brennaman.

Various features of the show will also be available on FOXSportsOhio.com. The show will replay later that night at 10 p.m. or following a FOX Sports Ohio live event, and at 8:30 a.m. the next day.

As was reported here at The Reds Report last Friday, the Cincinnati Reds had come to terms with reliever Jose Arredondo on a two-year deal; however, at that time, the financial terms were not disclosed as both sides avoided arbitration.

Under the newest deal between the two parties, Arredondo will receive $2 million under his two-year contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

The deal, announced by the Reds last week, calls for the right-hander to receive salaries of $800,000 this year and $1.2 million in 2013. Arredondo made $480,000 last season, when he went 4-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 53 appearances around two stints on the disabled list.

Cincinnati hopes Arredondo can get back to pitching the way he did before surgery. Arredondo went 10-2 with a 1.62 ERA in 52 relief appearances for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2008.

Hall of Fame electee Barry Larkin will host an Elite Camp in Brazil, in cooperation with Major League Baseball International, this February, the organization announced Monday.

Larkin — along with a staff of former big leaguers, including Wally Joyner, Bruce Hurst and John Mizerock — will instruct the best junior baseball players — ages 14 to 17 — from Brazil, Argentina and Peru.

“The 2012 MLBI Elite Camp will provide intensive, high-level training to some of the most talented players from across South America,” Major League Baseball senior vice president for international business operations Paul Archey said in a statement. “Thanks to the instruction and experience provided by the strong coaching staff, these young athletes are in a position to take the next steps in their development as elite baseball players.”

The event will be held at the training grounds for the Confederation of Brazilian Baseball and Softball in Ibîuna from Feb. 6-10, and at Mie Nishi Stadium in São Paulo from Feb. 13-15. The showcase is expected to provide exposure for many members of the Brazilian national team, which is set to compete this fall in the World Baseball Classic qualifying tournament.

In addition to the former big leaguers (who all have previous MLBI elite development experience), coaches from the national and junior national teams are expected to be on hand. The program, which is building off the inaugural MLBI Elite Camp held in Brazil last year, already has one alumnus — Rafael Moreno — to sign with a big league club (the Orioles).

At the end of the camp in São Paulo, games will be held between Elite Camp players and local university baseball teams.

It is the latest international venture for MLBI, which has conducted camps in Canada, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Europe and South Africa since 1999. More than 300 former participants from the programs have signed with big league clubs.

Hope not only springs eternal, it winters well in Reds country.

The Cincinnati Reds’ annual winter caravan hit Lexington on Sunday.

All-star second baseman Brandon Phillips and catching prospect Tucker Barnhart were on the Shops at Lexington Center dais. So were Reds Hall of Famer Lee May, Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, broadcaster and former pitcher Chris Welsh and assistant general manager Bob Miller.

Team mascot Gapper worked a crowd that promised to need all three hours allotted for questions and autographs (one per person, Brennaman warned, so that all may be served).

Fans of all ages came from near and far.

One family of three generations drove from Jasper, Ind., to meet the caravan.

Ryan Persohn, a Reds fan “my whole life” was accompanied by his father, Ray, plus sons Nick and Alex.

Nick, 6, came outfitted in a Scott Rolen jersey. The Reds third baseman is a native of Jasper.

Alex, 5, went with a uniform touting Joey Votto, the 2010 National League MVP.

Leading off the autograph line was Noah Delaney, 27, from Richmond. He won a radio contest to gain VIP access for himself and girlfriend Tabitha Hardy.

“I think we have a really good shot, especially with Pujols and Fielder gone from the division,” Delaney said, referring to free-agent losses of Albert Pujols from St. Louis and Prince Fielder from Milwaukee. “I think this year’s looking good for the Reds, and I just hope we catch some magic and go to the playoffs again.”

That’s pretty much how the Reds feel, too.

Significant additions via off-season trades include: No. 2-projected starter in the rotation, Mat Latos (from San Diego); left-handed setup man Sean Marshall (from the Cubs), and shortstop Wilson Valdez (from Philadelphia).

“I think we addressed our needs,” Miller said. “We made a plan right at the beginning of the off-season — who we wanted to get. And we actually were able to get the ones we wanted to get, so we’re pretty happy with that. Madson also then fell into our lap, too, so that was a nice addition.”

Free-agent pickup Ryan Madson, 4-2 with 32 saves for the Phillies last year, replaces Francisco Cordero as closer.

Phillips said he’s “very happy” with what General Manager Walt Jocketty has given Manager Dusty Baker to work with this season.

“It’s all about us going out and producing on the field, because we have no excuses,” Phillips said. “Last year, we didn’t fill in the gaps. But now Walt Jocketty and Dusty did a great job of bringing the guys in, and I think it’s going to be a big year.”

It promises to be a big year for Phillips, win or lose. Winning all-star, Silver Slugger and Gold Glove recognition last season, Phillips ranked among the National League’s top dozen players in batting (.300), hits (183), doubles (38) and runs (94).

In November, the Reds picked up his $12 million option for this season. He’ll either get a sweet deal to stay longer, or take his talent to the free-agent market. Either way, he’s not concerned.

“Let’s just worry about 2012 and go out there and try to win a championship for the Queen City,” Phillips said. “I’m going to have my day regardless of the fact.”

Miller assured fans that the Reds will continue trying to close a deal with Phillips. So, too, with Votto, whose contract is up in 2013.

“It comes down to looking at future budgets and looking at future revenues,” Miller said. “What we’re trying to do is we’re trying to win this year and next year, and hopefully increase our revenues.

“The biggest problem we have right now is the Cardinals and Brewers each draw over three million (fans) and we’re down in the low twos. If we’re able to win and get our fans back and increase our revenues, we’ll probably be able to keep them. That’s the plan.”

Later, Miller said: “Come and see the Reds. We’re going to win this year.”

At least, that’s the hope.