Dave Concepcion

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Concepción joined Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Pérez, Ken Griffey Sr., George Foster, and César Gerónimo in the famous 'Great Eight' starting lineup of The Big Red Machine. He perfected the one-bounce throw to first base, becoming the first shortstop to use this method to take advantage of the smooth artificial turf at Riverfront Stadium. His career was not without injury; on July 22, 1973, he dislocated his knee and fractured the fibula of his left leg sliding into third base against the Expos, missing the second half of that season despite batting .287 with eight home runs and 46 RBI at the time. He also famously spoiled a perfect game in 1971 when he was the only team member to reach base safely against Rick Wise, drawing a sixth-inning walk.

In Their Own Story

On July 13, 1982, the first All-Star Game outside the United States took place at Montreal's Olympic Stadium. Concepción hit a two-run homer that helped the National League secure a 4–1 victory, marking their 11th straight win and 19th in the last 20 contests. This performance earned him the game's Most Valuable Player award. In his final season of 1988, manager Pete Rose sent Concepción into Dodger Stadium to pitch 1.3 innings during a blow-out; he gave up two hits, no runs, and struck out one batter. Though hampered by age and injuries in his later years, he groomed Barry Larkin as his successor before being replaced in 1986. He retired at age 40 after failing to make the California Angels roster in 1989.

Reader's Guide

Concepción's number 13 was retired by the Reds on August 25, 2007, in a pre-game ceremony joined by former teammates Tony Pérez, Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, and managers Sparky Anderson. It was the first occasion in Major League history that the number 13 was retired by a team; Concepción originally chose it to honor his mother, Ernestina, who was born in 1913. His legacy extends beyond Cincinnati, as his number 13 is also retired by Tigres de Aragua of Maracay, the Venezuelan team he played for during 20 years of winter ball. In 2014, he returned to serve as grand marshal of the annual opening day Findlay Market Parade and threw the ceremonial first pitch alongside Barry Larkin.

Did You Know?

• Concepción was originally drafted as a pitcher before becoming one of the greatest shortstops in history.
• He is the first shortstop to use the one-bounce throw to first base to take advantage of artificial turf.
• His number 13 retirement by the Reds marked the first time in MLB history that the number 13 was retired by a team.
• Concepción ranks second in Cincinnati Reds history for career games played and at-bats, sharing the franchise record of 19 seasons with successor Barry Larkin.