The Cincinnati Reds are one of the oldest professional baseball teams, with a history dating back to 1869. Originally named the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the team adopted their current name in the 1890s. The Reds play in the National League Central division and have won five World Series titles, nine division titles, and one wild card berth. The team is known for its distinctive red uniforms and logo featuring Mr. Redlegs. But what exactly is the specific color code used for the Cincinnati Reds? Let’s take a closer look.
Official Team Colors
According to the Cincinnati Reds’ official website and brand guidelines, the team’s colors are officially designated as “Cincinnati Red” and white. The exact hex color code for Cincinnati Red is #C6011F. In the RGB color model, this converts to 198,1,31. In the CMYK color model used for print, the breakdown is:
| Cyan: | 0 |
| Magenta: | 100 |
| Yellow: | 100 |
| Black: | 22 |
So in print formats, Cincinnati Red is composed of 100% magenta, 100% yellow, and 22% black ink. On web pages and digital media, the hex code #C6011F or RGB 198,1,31 is used.
History of the Reds’ Colors
The Cincinnati Reds were established in 1869 as a pioneering professional baseball team named the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The “Red Stockings” name referenced the bright red knee-high socks the players wore, which stood out against their all-white uniforms.
In 1876, the team became a founding member of the National League as the Cincinnati Reds. They initially wore darker navy blue stockings before transitioning back to red by the 1880s. The specific red hue has shifted slightly over the decades between lighter and darker shades of scarlet.
It wasn’t until the 1950s that the official Cincinnati Red color was standardized through the Pantone Matching System as PMS 200. This allowed for consistent reproduction of the signature Reds red in all applications. Today PMS 200 remains the standard for the Cincinnati Reds primary color in branding and merchandising.
Use Throughout Reds Branding
The Cincinnati Reds have one of the most instantly recognizable brands in Major League Baseball, largely built around their distinctive red color scheme. Here are some of the main uses of Cincinnati Red throughout the team’s visual identity:
| – Jerseys, caps, helmets, socks, and other uniform elements |
| – Primary logo mark incorporating stylized Reds script |
| – Mr. Redlegs mascot logo |
| – Bat and ball icon |
| – Iconic Red Stockings throwback uniforms |
| – Walls, seats, and architectural details at Great American Ball Park |
| – Print and digital marketing materials |
| – Merchandise and collectibles |
The red is sometimes paired with white or black to create a bold, instantly recognizable visual identity. It has become an integral part of the Reds’ branding heritage.
Shades of Red Throughout MLB
The Cincinnati Reds are far from the only MLB team to adopt red as an official team color. Multiple franchises have shades of red in their color schemes. Here are some other prominent examples:
| Team | Official Red Color Hex Code |
| Boston Red Sox | #BD3039 |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | #A71930 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | #E81828 |
| Texas Rangers | #C0111F |
| Washington Nationals | #AB0003 |
The lighter, brighter red of the Reds stands out among these other shades. The bold Cincinnati Red is most similar to the darker reds used by the Rangers and Nationals.
Cincinnati Reds’ Logo Evolution
While the Reds’ color scheme has remained relatively consistent, the team’s primary logo has gone through periodic redesigns:
| Years | Primary Logo |
| 1876-1953 | Red stocking with “REDS” text |
| 1954-1959 | Mr. Red with bat |
| 1960-1972 | C-style wishbone “REDS” |
| 1973-2007 | Stylized script Reds |
| 2008-present | Updated stylized Reds script |
The classic wishbone “REDS” logo returned as an alternate logo in the 1990s and 2010s. Overall, Cincinnati Red has remained the staple, with logo marks simply modernizing over time while maintaining the team’s visual identity.
Reds Uniform History
Like most MLB franchises, the Reds’ uniforms and cap logos have evolved since becoming a charter National League team in 1876:
| Years | Uniform Style |
| 1876-1901 | White at home, dark blue on road; red stockings |
| 1902-2006 | Solid white or gray; red accents & lettering |
| 2007-present | Home white and road gray; Cincinnati Red accents |
| 2008-present | Red alternate jersey introduced |
| 2012-present | Red throwback & sleeveless styles |
The Reds were one of the last MLB teams to fully adopt red jerseys, but they’ve embraced the trend in recent years for alternates and vintage styles.
Reds Players Closely Associated with Red
While stars like Pete Rose and Johnny Bench became legends in the classic Reds uniforms, a few standouts of the last 25 years have been closely tied to the Cincinnati Red color scheme:
| Player | Years with Reds | Signature Style |
| Deion Sanders | 1994-1995 | Baggy red jerseys |
| Ken Griffey Jr. | 2000-2008 | Backward red cap |
| Adam Dunn | 2001-2008 | Red sleeves with black vest |
| Brandon Phillips | 2006-2017 | Red sleeves with black undershirt |
| Joey Votto | 2007-present | Classic home whites |
While styles come and go, the Cincinnati Reds’ look will always be defined by their signature shade of red.
Use of Blue as Secondary Color
While red has always been the Reds’ staple, the club has worked in shades of blue as an accent color at various points. These include:
| Years | Blue Uniform Elements |
| 1876-1901 | Dark blue road uniforms |
| 1902-06 | Dark blue accent stripes |
| 1954-60 | Royal blue accent stripes |
| 2007-present | Navy blue alternate jerseys |
In most cases, the blue has been paired strategically with white and red for a patriotic color scheme. The Reds’ most frequent blue usage came in their early road uniforms and as accent stripes on the arms and down the sides of the jerseys paired with the wishbone “REDS” logo from 1954-1960.
Why Such a Strong Association with Red?
The Cincinnati Reds have one of the strongest brand identities of any pro sports franchise, which can be attributed to several factors:
| – One of baseball’s original professional teams dating to 1869 |
| – Consistent primary color scheme since the 19th century |
| – Iconic team name referencing red hosiery |
| – Classic logos and uniforms incorporating red |
| – Longstanding ties to Americana and old-fashioned baseball |
While the club has evolved and modernized over the past 150+ years, they’ve retained red as their keystone color. It’s a testament to the great brand equity they’ve built into that original red identity. The Reds without red uniforms would simply be unrecognizable.
Reds Fans Showing Their Colors
From fall classics at Crosley Field to the current Great American Ball Park era, Reds fans have proudly showed their colors through the generations:
| – Red attire dominates the stands during home games |
| – Common fan gear includes Reds caps, T-shirts, jerseys, jackets, and blankets |
| – Face paint, nail polish, and other beauty accents in red |
| – Interior decoration with Reds banners, flags, and memorabilia |
| – Red exterior home decor, yard inflatables, garden gnomes, etc. |
| – Tailgating parties and barbecues abundant in Reds colors |
The Cincinnati faithful are passionate about sporting Reds apparel and merch to demonstrate their devotion and pride in the Redlegs. Fenway Park has the Green Monster, but Great American Ball Park is all about the sweeping Red Sea.
Reds’ Impact on Local Culture
Beyond baseball, the prominence of the Cincinnati Reds has bled into the culture and identity of the city itself:
| – Reds Opening Day is an unofficial city holiday and kickoff to spring |
| – Local business decor and murals frequently incorporate the Reds |
| – Restaurants and bars mix Reds themes into food, drinks, and decor |
| – News coverage and water cooler talk heavily focused on the Reds |
| – Youth rec leagues often adopt Reds iconography |
| – High school and college programs embrace Reds as local inspiration |
| – Regional airports, hotels, and tourist attractions promote Reds history |
Cincinnati is truly a baseball town deeply connected to its storied franchise. The Reds’ red-dominated branding has become interwoven into the fabric of the city.
Conclusion
The Cincinnati Reds have built one of baseball’s most iconic brands around a signature shade of red. Officially designated as PMS 200 and rendered digitally as #C6011F, Cincinnati Red serves as the core color for uniforms, logos, stadiums, merchandising, and local culture. For 150 years, the Reds have cultivated a strong visual identity and bond with their fans through sharp use of the distinctive red palette. It’s a color that signifies tradition, passion, and baseball at its purest.