Larry Biittner becomes the first free agent ever signed by the Cincinnati Reds

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On January 8, 1981, outfielder/first baseman Larry Biittner becomes the first free agent ever signed by the Cincinnati Reds. Since free agency had been instituted in 1976, the often-conservative Reds were the only team to refuse to enter the market. It does not go well when the 35 year-old first baseman/outfielder bats only .213 during his first year with Cincinnati and be released after the 1982 season.

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