Another one bites the dust

Butler County Journal-News photo

Behind barriers set up a couple of blocks away, thousands of spectators watch – and cheer – 21 years ago today as Cincinnati’s Cinergy Field is reduced to 100,000 cubic yards of rubble.

The implosion produces dust and smoke that rises 200 feet above the site, which opens in the middle of the 1970 season as Riverfront Stadium.

Demolition workers use 1,275 pounds of dynamite to bring down the stadium in only 37 seconds.

And, just like that, gone is one of the first all-purpose, charmless cookie cutter facilities put up in the early 1970s.

This razing comes between those of Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium in 2001 and Philadelphia’s Veterans Stadium in 2004.

The implosion of the Reds’ old stadium takes place in the shadow of their new home, Great American Ballpark, which opens in the spring of 2003.

Rico Carty (25) and Felix Millan (17) wait for Hank Aaron after the first homer at Riverfront Stadium

The Reds produce three World Series champions – 1975 and ’76, and again in 1990 – during their 32-plus seasons at Riverfront Stadium.

Historians note the Reds lose their first game in their once-new ballpark, falling 8-2 to the Atlanta Braves before a Tuesday night crowd of 51,050 on June 30, 1970.

Atlanta’s Felix Millan picks up the first hit there, a single to center field off Reds starter Jim McGlothlin with one out in the top of the first inning.

Not much of a wait for the first home run, either, as Hank Aaron follows Millan’s single with a two-run drive to deep left field off McGlothlin for a 2-0 lead.

The home run – the 577th of his Hall of Fame career – is one of 11 Aaron hits at Riverfront Stadium from 1970-74.

The last of those 11 home runs is one of the most memorable in the game’s history as Aaron’s three-run homer off Jack Billingham on Opening Day 1974 is his 714th – tying him with Babe Ruth atop the all-time list.