41 Facts About Johnny Bench

John Lee Bench was born on December 7,1947 and is an American former professional baseball player.

Johnny Bench played his entire Major League Baseball career, which lasted from 1967 through 1983, with the Cincinnati Reds, primarily as a catcher.

Johnny Bench was the leader of the Reds team known as the Big Red Machine that dominated the National League in the mid-1970s, winning six division titles, four National League pennants and two World Series championships.

Johnny Bench is widely regarded as the greatest catcher of all time.

Fourteen-time All-Star and a two-time National League Most Valuable Player, Johnny Bench excelled on offense as well as on defense, twice leading the National League in home runs and three times in runs batted in.

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Johnny Bench was the first catcher in history to lead the league in home runs.

On defense, Johnny Bench was a ten-time Gold Glove Award winner who skillfully handled pitching staffs and possessed a strong, accurate throwing arm.

Johnny Bench caught 100 or more games for 13 consecutive seasons.

In 1986, Johnny Bench was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Johnny Bench was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.

Johnny Bench was the Reds' catcher on April 30,1969, when Maloney pitched a no hitter against the.

In 1968, the 20-year-old Johnny Bench impressed many in his first he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award, batting.

Johnny Bench won the 1968 National League Gold Glove Award for catchers, which was the first time that the award had been won by a rookie.

Johnny Bench made 102 assists in 1968, which marked the first time in 23 years that a catcher had more than 100 assists in a season.

Johnny Bench had another strong year in 1972, winning the MVP Award for a second time.

Johnny Bench led the National League in home runs and RBI to help propel the Reds to another National League West Division title and won the NL pennant in the deciding fifth game over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In 1973, Johnny Bench hit 25 home runs and 104 RBI and helped the Reds rally from a 10.

In 1974, Johnny Bench led the league with 129 RBI and scored 108 runs, becoming only the fourth catcher in major league history with 100 or more runs and RBI in the same season.

Johnny Bench struggled with ailing shoulders in 1976, and had one of his least productive years, with only 16 home runs and 74 RBI.

Johnny Bench bounced back in 1977 to hit 31 home runs and 109 RBI but the Dodgers won two straight NL pennants.

Johnny Bench retired as the career home run leader for catchers, a record which stood until surpassed by Carlton Fisk and the current record holder, Mike Piazza.

Johnny Bench still holds the Major League record for the most grand slam home runs by a catcher, with 10.

Johnny Bench caught 118 shutouts during his career, ranking him 12th all-time among major league catchers.

Johnny Bench won such awards as the Lou Gehrig Award, the Babe Ruth Award, and the Hutch Award.

Johnny Bench popularized the hinged catcher's mitt, first introduced by Randy Hundley of the Chicago Cubs.

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Johnny Bench began using the mitt after a stint on the disabled list in 1966 for a thumb injury on his throwing hand.

Quickly, the pair realized they were incompatible, especially after Johnny Bench suggested that his wife accept Hustler magazine's offer for her to pose nude for $25,000.

Johnny Bench filed for divorce in 2000 on grounds of marital infidelity.

Johnny Bench was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in 1989 alongside Carl Yastrzemski.

Three years earlier, Johnny Bench had been inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and his uniform No 5 was retired by the team.

Johnny Bench is currently on the board of directors for the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame.

Johnny Bench hosted the television series The Baseball Bunch from 1982 to 1985.

Johnny Bench simply disappeared, ultimately going to CBS Radio to help Brent Musburger call that year's National League Championship Series.

Johnny Bench has a home at the Mission Hills-Gary Player Course in Rancho Mirage, California.

In 1999, Johnny Bench ranked Number 16 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players.

Johnny Bench was elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team as the top vote-receiving catcher.

In 2008, Johnny Bench co-wrote the book Catch Every Ball: How to Handle Life's Pitches with Paul Daugherty, published by Orange Frazer Press.

Johnny Bench has broadcast games on television and radio, and is an avid golfer, having played in several Champions Tour tournaments.

Johnny Bench was interviewed by Heidi Watney of the New England Sports Network during a September 2008 Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park.

Johnny Bench replied that Anderson had better trade for Niekro's catcher, too.

Johnny Bench was the Hall of Fame recipient of the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award, in 2018, for his service and continued support of the United States Military.