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In 1869 the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first openly all-professional baseball club in the world. The history, geography, demography, and economy of the area contributed to making Cincinnati a baseball town par excellance. During professional baseball's formative years in the 19th century, Cincinnati was almost always represented by a club called the Reds in one league or another. As chairman of the National Commission after he had helped broker peace between the National and American Leagues, Cincinnati owner Garry Hermann became known as the oFather of the World Serieso. The Reds proceeded to win the Series in 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, and 1990. Under the ownership of the controversial Marge Schott and managed on the field by the mercurial Lou Piniella, the Reds led the National League West wire-to-wire in 1990, defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Championship Series, and swept the powerful Oakland Athletics in the World Series.