The Shelby Reds, based in Shelby, North Carolina

Shelby, North Carolina

Shelby is a city in Cleveland County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 19,477 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cleveland County.-Geography:Shelby is located at ....

, were a minor league baseball

Minor league baseball

Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...

 team that played from 1977 to 1978 in the Western Carolinas League

Western Carolinas League

The Western Carolinas League was a Class D and a low Class A full-season league in American minor league baseball. The WCL changed its name prior to the 1980 season and has been known since as the South Atlantic League, a highly successful low Class A circuit with teams up the Eastern Seaboard...

. They were affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds

Cincinnati Reds

The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....

.

In their first year of existence, 1977, they were managed by Jim Lett

Jim Lett

James Curtis Lett is the bullpen coach for the Washington Nationals wearing #9.-Biography:...

. He led them to a 60–79 record, finishing fifth in the league. Under manager Lett's guidance in 1978, they went 75–64, finishing second in the league.