Former Reds Friday – Cesar Geronimo 1984 Topps

Cesar Geronimo’s 1984 Topps card with the Kansas City Royals was released after he retired.

Known for his defensive prowess, Cesar Geronimo was one of the last members of the Big Red Machine to depart Cincinnati for another team.

Geronimo won four Gold Gloves from 1974-77 as the Reds won back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.

However as the Big Red Machine was being disassembled and his offensive production slipped below .240, Geronimo lost his starting job to Dave Collins, according to the Associated Press. He was relegated to the role of a defensive replacement and appeared in only 103 games and 162 plate appearances.

Geronimo was dropped from the Reds 40 man roster following the 1980 season after the signing of free agent of Larry Bittner.

The Reds eventually shipped him to the Kansas City Royals for minor league outfielder German Barranca.

During three seasons with the Royals, Geronimo came off the bench as the team’s fifth outfielder and didn’t appear in more than 59 games per season, according the 1983 Topps Blog.

His stint in Kansas City did allow Geronimo to escape the Reds’ no facial policy and he responded with one thick mustache.

Geronimo was released by the Royals after the 1983 season, which ended up being 15th and final Major League campaign.

Interestingly, Geronimo’s 1984 Topps card featured above was released after he retired.

After retiring, he worked for the Japanese Hiroshima Carp ball club as a coach at its baseball academy in his native Dominican Republic.

Geronimo was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2008.