•
Opening Day (April 1) – Seven pitches into the first game of the season, at
Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, home plate umpire
John McSherry collapses on the field and dies of a massive
heart attack. The game between the Reds and
Montreal Expos is postponed. Reds owner
Marge Schott later comes under fire for wanting the game in Cincinnati to continue despite the tragedy (and against the wishes of the players on both teams), saying that she felt "cheated" when it was canceled.
Opening Day lineup ;April 1 (game postponed) •
Vince Coleman, LF •
Hal Morris, 1B •
Barry Larkin, SS •
Reggie Sanders, RF •
Eddie Taubensee, C •
Bret Boone, 2B •
Mike Kelly, CF •
Jeff Branson, 3B •
Pete Schourek, P Source: ;April 2 •
Eric Davis, LF •
Eric Owens, 2B •
Barry Larkin, SS •
Reggie Sanders, RF •
Chris Sabo, 3B •
Hal Morris, 1B •
Mike Kelly, CF •
Joe Oliver, C •
Pete Schourek, P Source: Note: the two lineups have multiple differences, as the Expos had scheduled right-hander
Pedro Martínez to start on April 1; he was replaced by left-hander
Jeff Fassero for the April 2 game.
Season standings Record vs. opponents Game log Detailed records Notable transactions • April 2, 1996: Scott Service was signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds. • May 27, 1996: Lee Smith was traded by the California Angels to the Cincinnati Reds for Chuck McElroy. • June 18, 1996: Vince Coleman was released by the Cincinnati Reds. • July 30, 1996:
Eric Anthony was purchased by the Colorado Rockies from the Cincinnati Reds.
Draft picks • June 4, 1996: Buddy Carlyle was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2nd round of the 1996 amateur draft. Player signed June 21, 1996.
Roster == Player stats ==