MLB

Red Hot Reds’ Rookie Stewart’s Bat Has Cincinnati on the Move

With their 9–2 win on Saturday night over the Detroit Tigers, the Cincinnati Reds moved into first place of the National League Central Division.
Red Hot Reds’ Rookie Stewart’s Bat Has Cincinnati on the Move
Sal Stewart #27 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with teammate Matt McLain #9 after hitting a two-run home run in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida on April 20, 2026. Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Donald Laible
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It’s early in the season but Cincinnati Reds’ rookie first baseman Sal Stewart has emerged as a leading contender for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

The last time the Reds won a World Series championship was in 1990. You would have to go back to 2012 to see them winning the National League Central Division last. And last season, Cincinnati squeaked into the MLB Wild Card Series only to be swept in two games by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.