The Reds replaced player-manager John Ganzel after one season of managing the club. Ganzel led Cincinnati to a 73–81 record in the 1908 season. His replacement was former New York Highlanders manager, Clark Griffith, who had managed the club from 1903 until 1908, posting a 437–370 record. Griffith also pitched with the Highlanders until he retired in 1907. He also was a player-manager with the Chicago White Sox from 1901 to 1902, going 157–113 in his two seasons with the club, and led them to the pennant in 1901.