Johnny Bench

{{Infobox baseball biography

| image = Johnny Bench Press Photo.jpg

| caption = Bench {{c.|1972}}

| name = Johnny Bench

| position = Catcher

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1947|12|7}}

| birth_place = Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 28

| debutyear = 1967

| debutteam = Cincinnati Reds

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = September 29

| finalyear = 1983

| finalteam = Cincinnati Reds

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .267

| stat2label = Hits

| stat2value = 2,048

| stat3label = Home runs

| stat3value = 389

| stat4label = Runs batted in

| stat4value = 1,376

| teams =

Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|1967}}–{{mlby|1983}})

| highlights =

14× All-Star (1968–1980, 1983)
2× World Series champion ({{wsy|1975}}, {{wsy|1976}})
2× NL MVP (1970, 1972)
World Series MVP (1976)
NL Rookie of the Year (1968)
10× Gold Glove Award (1968–1977)
2× NL home run leader (1970, 1972)
3× NL RBI leader (1970, 1972, 1974)
Cincinnati Reds No. 5 retired
Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame
Major League Baseball All-Century Team
Major League Baseball All-Time Team

|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

|hoftype = National

| hofdate = 1989

| hofvote = 96.4% (first ballot)

}}

Johnny Lee Bench (born December 7, 1947) is an American former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career, which lasted from {{Baseball year|1967}} to {{Baseball year|1983}}, with the Cincinnati Reds, primarily as a catcher.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/benchjo01.shtml|title=Johnny Bench Statistics and History|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=January 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104102024/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/benchjo01.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=benchjo01|title=Johnny Bench Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805001951/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=benchjo01|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/Players/B/Johnny-Bench.shtml|title=Johnny Bench Baseball Statistics [1965–1983]|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220170944/http://thebaseballcube.com/players/B/Johnny-Bench.shtml|url-status=live}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame/alumni/directory#b-content |title=Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com |work=Major League Baseball |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819092836/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/hof/hof/directory.jsp?hof_id=111227#b-content |url-status=live }}[https://web.archive.org/web/20070820095625/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/johnny-bench-hof.htm Johnny Bench] How Stuff Works.{{cite web|url=https://baseballbiography.com/johnny-bench-1947|title=Johnny Bench|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201211322/https://baseballbiography.com/johnny-bench-1947/|url-status=live}}

A fourteen-time All-Star and a two-time National League Most Valuable Player, Bench excelled on offense as well as on defense, twice leading the National League in home runs and three times in runs batted in.{{cite web |url=https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/bench-johnny |title=Johnny Bench at the Baseball Hall of Fame |publisher=Baseball Hall of Fame |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515025403/https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/bench-johnny |url-status=live }} At the time of his retirement in 1983, he held the major league record for most home runs hit by a catcher. He was also the first catcher in history to lead the league in home runs.{{cite web|url=https://redlegnation.com/2009/06/14/johnny-bench-and-the-triple-crown/|title=Johnny Bench and the Triple Crown|publisher=Red Leg Nation|date=June 14, 2009|access-date=May 28, 2020|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127084413/https://www.redlegnation.com/2009/06/14/johnny-bench-and-the-triple-crown/|url-status=live}} He hit 45 home runs in 1970, which was a single-season record for catchers until Salvador Perez hit 48 in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/most-home-runs-by-a-catcher/|title=Most home runs by a catcher in a season|publisher=Major League Baseball|date=September 29, 2021|access-date=January 1, 2022|archive-date=January 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101155609/https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/most-home-runs-by-a-catcher.html/|url-status=live}} His 389 home runs and 1,376 runs batted in remain the most in Cincinnati Reds history.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/leaders_bat.shtml|title=Cincinnati Reds Top 10 Career Batting Leaders|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=March 18, 2022|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128131126/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/leaders_bat.shtml|url-status=live}}

On defense, Bench was a ten-time Gold Glove Award winner who skillfully handled pitching staffs and possessed a strong, accurate throwing arm.{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-best-fielders-of-the-1970s/|first=Jerry|last=Gregory|title=The Best Fielders of the 1970s|work=Society for American Baseball Research|access-date=November 27, 2023|archive-date=November 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126180224/https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-best-fielders-of-the-1970s/|url-status=live}} He caught 100 or more games for 13 consecutive seasons. In 1986, Bench was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 in his first year of eligibility. ESPN has called him the greatest catcher in baseball history.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Bench_Johnny.html|title=ESPN Classic – Baseball's greatest catcher|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609003205/http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Bench_Johnny.html|url-status=live}}

Early life

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Bench is one-eighth Choctaw; he played baseball and basketball and was class valedictorian at Binger-Oney High School {{nowrap|in Binger.{{cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1082237/2/index.htm | work=CNN | title=Video | date=March 31, 1969 | access-date=August 5, 2010 | archive-date=November 2, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102222424/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1082237/2/index.htm | url-status=dead }}}} His father told him that the fastest route to becoming a major leaguer was as a catcher.

Professional career

=Draft and minor leagues=

As a 17-year-old, the Cincinnati Reds selected Bench in the second round, 36th overall, of the 1965 amateur draft. He played for the minor-league Buffalo Bisons in the 1966 and 1967 seasons. During the 1967 season, he hit a grand slam against Jim Palmer, who would go on to never allow a grand slam again in 19 years in the Major Leagues.{{cite book|last1=Palmer|first1=Jim|last2=Dale|first2=Jim|title=Palmer and Weaver: Together We Were Eleven Foot Nine|year=1996|publisher=Andrews and McMeel|location=Kansas City|isbn=0-8362-0781-5|pages=14–15}}{{cite web|url=https://www.680thefan.com/2018/07/12/55-jim-palmer-a-pitcher-who-never-gave-up-a-grand-slam/|title=#55: Jim Palmer – A Pitcher who NEVER Gave up a Grand Slam|work=AM 680|date=July 12, 2018|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227193618/https://www.680thefan.com/2018/07/12/55-jim-palmer-a-pitcher-who-never-gave-up-a-grand-slam/|url-status=live}}

=Cincinnati Reds (1967–1983)=

Bench was called up to the Reds in August 1967.{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/draft/1965/Round-2-1.shtml|title=Amateur Baseball Draft – The Baseball Cube|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=July 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731030536/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/draft/1965/Round-2-1.shtml|url-status=live}} He hit only .163, but impressed many people with his defense and strong throwing arm, among them Hall of Famer Ted Williams. Williams signed a baseball for him and predicted that the young catcher would be a "Hall of Famer for sure!"{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/articles/johnny-bench-memorabilia-buying-guide |title=Johnny Bench Memorabilia Buying Guide | Autographed Sports Memorabilia and Sports Collectibles at Sports Memorabilia |publisher=Sportsmemorabilia.com |access-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928181051/http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/articles/johnny-bench-memorabilia-buying-guide |url-status=dead }} Williams' prophecy became fact 22 years later in 1989 when Bench was elected to Cooperstown.

During a 1968 spring training game, Bench was catching right-hander Jim Maloney, an eight-year veteran. Maloney was once a hard thrower, but injuries had dramatically reduced the speed of his fastball. Maloney nevertheless insisted on repeatedly "shaking off" his younger catcher by throwing fastballs instead of the breaking balls that Bench had called for. When an exasperated Bench bluntly told Maloney, "Your fastball's not popping," Maloney replied with an epithet. To prove to Maloney that his fastball was no longer effective, Bench called for a fastball, and after Maloney released the ball, Bench dropped his catcher's mitt and caught the fastball barehanded.{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/fastest-pitcher-in-baseball.shtml |title=Fastest Pitcher in Baseball by Baseball Almanac |publisher=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-date=August 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812080555/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/fastest-pitcher-in-baseball.shtml |url-status=live }} Bench was the Reds' catcher on April 30, 1969, when Maloney pitched a no hitter against the {{nowrap|Houston Astros.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fcZOAAAAIBAJ&pg=6986%2C2830643 |work=Toledo Blade |location=(Ohio) |agency=Associated Press |title=Third no-hitter spun by Maloney |date=May 1, 1969 |page=42 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416002539/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fcZOAAAAIBAJ&pg=6986%2C2830643 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r0tSAAAAIBAJ&pg=7124%2C429253 |work=St. Petersburg Times |location=(Florida) |agency=Associated Press |title=Reds' Jim Maloney pitches no-hitter |date=May 1, 1969 |page=1C |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001853/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r0tSAAAAIBAJ&pg=7124,429253 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196904300.shtml|title=April 30, 1969 Houston Astros at Cincinnati Reds Box Score and Play by Play|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804120527/http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196904300.shtml|url-status=live}}}}

In 1968, the 20-year-old Bench impressed many in his first {{nowrap|full season;{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XbdWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2327%2C2392877 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Rookie Catcher Praised |date=July 23, 1968 |page=10 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001852/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XbdWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2327,2392877 |url-status=live }}}} he won the National League Rookie of the Year Award, batting .275 with 15 home runs and 82 RBIs. This marked the first time that the award had been won by a catcher.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1968.shtml#NLroy|title=1968 Awards Voting|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330112109/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1968.shtml#NLroy|url-status=live}} He also won the 1968 National League Gold Glove Award for catchers, which was the first time that the award had been won by a rookie.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#1968|title=MLB National League Gold Glove Award Winners|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528001941/https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#1968|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/baseball-cards/1968-topps/reds-rookies-johnny-bench-ron-tompkins-247/31850|title=Reds Rookies (Johnny Bench/Ron Tompkins) – 1968 Topps|website=PSA|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522112825/http://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/baseball-cards/1968-topps/reds-rookies-johnny-bench-ron-tompkins-247/31850/|url-status=live}} He made 102 assists in 1968, which marked the first time in 23 years that a catcher had more than 100 assists in a season.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/A_c_progress.shtml|title=Progressive Leaders & Records for Assists as C|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621063805/http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/A_c_progress.shtml|url-status=live}} During the Vietnam War, Bench served in the United States Army Reserve as a member of the 478th Engineer Battalion, which was based across the Ohio River from Cincinnati at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. This unit included several of his teammates, among them Pete Rose, Bobby Tolan and Darrel Chaney.{{cite news |last=Gavin |first=Lapaille |date=July 24, 2014 |title=Charlie Hustle: As Rose Sported Red, He Marched in Army Green |url=https://www.army.mil/article/130526/Charlie_Hustle__as_Rose_sported_red__he_marched_in_Army_green/ |newspaper=army.mil |location=Arlington, Virginia |access-date=February 4, 2015 |archive-date=February 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205010458/http://www.army.mil/article/130526/Charlie_Hustle__as_Rose_sported_red__he_marched_in_Army_green/ |url-status=live }}[https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2727094/sports-heroes-who-served-star-baseball-catcher-johnny-bench-was-a-soldier/ Sports Heroes Who Served: Star Baseball Catcher Johnny Bench Was a Soldier] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807170126/https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2727094/sports-heroes-who-served-star-baseball-catcher-johnny-bench-was-a-soldier/ |date=August 7, 2022 }} United States Department of Defense. Retrieved August 7, 2022. In the winter of 1970–1971 he was part of Bob Hope's USO Tour of Vietnam.{{cite book |last=Cook |first=William A. |date=2012 |title=Big Klu: The Baseball Life of Ted Kluszewski |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JFUgLGv6RnIC&pg=PA144 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |publisher=McFarland |page=144 |isbn=978-0-7864-6999-4}}

=1970s=

In 1970, Bench had his finest statistical season. At age 22, he became the youngest player to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He hit .293, led the National League with 45 home runs and a franchise-record 148 runs batted in as the Reds won the NL West Division.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1970.shtml#NLmvp|title=1970 Awards Voting|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=February 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222234500/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1970.shtml#NLmvp|url-status=live}} The Reds swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the National League Championship Series, but lost to the Baltimore Orioles in five games in the World Series.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1970_NLCS.shtml|title=1970 NLCS - Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates (3-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622221033/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1970_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1970_WS.shtml|title=1970 World Series - Baltimore Orioles over Cincinnati Reds (4-1)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808163845/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1970_WS.shtml|url-status=live}}

File:Johnny Bench - Cincinnati Reds.jpg

Bench had another strong year in 1972, winning the MVP Award for a second time. He led the National League in home runs (40) and RBI (125) 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1972.shtml#NLmvp|title=1972 Awards Voting|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 31, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831104032/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1972.shtml#NLmvp|url-status=live}} One of his more dramatic home runs{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_lcs.jsp?feature=this_day |title=League Championship Series Overview | Major League Baseball: History |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927235202/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_lcs.jsp?feature=this_day |url-status=live }} was likely his ninth-inning, lead off, opposite field home run in that fifth NLCS game.{{cite web

|url=https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/benchs-homer-propels-reds-to-1972-world-series

|author1=Muder, Craig

|title=Bench's homer helps push Reds into 1972 World Series

|website=National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

|access-date=June 1, 2016

|archive-date=May 25, 2019

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525215457/https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/benchs-homer-propels-reds-to-1972-world-series

|url-status=live

}} The solo shot tied the game at three; the Reds won later in the inning on a wild pitch, 4–3.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197210110.shtml|title=October 11, 1972 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 5, Pirates at Reds|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104053433/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197210110.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1972_NLCS.shtml|title=1972 NLCS - Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates (3-2)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622221033/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1972_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}} It was hailed after the game as "one of the great clutch home runs of all time."{{cite web|url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=c61a5e96-6143-48a2-9557-575f50fabea9 |title=GC1GQAB FP Series No. 226 – Johnny Bench (Traditional Cache) in Texas, United States created by drives |publisher=Geocaching.com |access-date=September 24, 2013}} However, the Reds lost the World Series to a strong Oakland Athletics team in seven games.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1972_WS.shtml|title=1972 World Series - Oakland Athletics over Cincinnati Reds (4-3)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=November 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130235309/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1972_WS.shtml|url-status=live}}

After the 1972 season, Bench underwent surgery to remove a lesion from his lung, out of concern that it might be cancerous.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3lNYAAAAIBAJ&pg=5741%2C6809684 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=UPI |title=Bench surgery goes smoothly |date=December 11, 1972 |page=12 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001853/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3lNYAAAAIBAJ&pg=5741,6809684 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O_dOAAAAIBAJ&pg=1631%2C6082770 |work=Toledo Blade |location=(Ohio) |agency=Associated Press |title=Bench should be ready |date=December 12, 1972 |page=41 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827200249/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O_dOAAAAIBAJ&pg=1631%2C6082770 |url-status=live }} The lesion would prove to be benign however, Bench stated in an interview that he was never the same player after the surgery. “They cut the ribs, they cut the bones, they cut the nerves, and so I never was the same player afterwards.”{{cite news |last1=Habib |first1=Hal |title=Bench Mark |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/mlb/2018/11/17/mlb-hall-of-famer-johnny-bench-living-in-palm-beach-gardens-with-his-family/8343896007/ |accessdate=9 September 2023 |newspaper=Palm Beach Post |date=17 November 2018 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119191323/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/mlb/2018/11/17/mlb-hall-of-famer-johnny-bench-living-in-palm-beach-gardens-with-his-family/8343896007/ |url-status=live }} He remained productive, but never again hit 40 home runs in a season.{{cite news |last1=Fay |first1=John |title=Cincinnati Reds All-Time team: Johnny Bench was incomparable at catcher |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2020/04/04/cincinnati-reds-all-time-team-johnny-bench-incomparable-catcher/2947677001/ |accessdate=9 September 2023 |newspaper=Cincinnati Enquirer |date=4 April 2020 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119191320/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2020/04/04/cincinnati-reds-all-time-team-johnny-bench-incomparable-catcher/2947677001/ |url-status=live }}

In 1973, Bench hit 25 home runs and 104 RBI and helped the Reds rally from a 10{{frac|1|2}}-game deficit to the Los Angeles Dodgers in early July to lead the majors with 99 wins and claim another NL West Division crown. In the NLCS, Cincinnati met a New York Mets team that won the NL East with an unimpressive {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|82|79|record=y}}}} record, 16{{frac|1|2}} games behind the Reds. The Mets boasted three of the better starting pitchers in the NL, future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, and Jon Matlack. Bench's bottom of the ninth-inning home run off Seaver in the first game propelled the Reds to victory, but Seaver would get the best of the Reds and Bench in the deciding Game 5, winning {{nowrap|7–2}} to put the Mets into the World Series against the Oakland A's.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0AJPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7275%2C5131692 |work=Toledo Blade |location=(Ohio) |agency=Associated Press |title=One more 'miracle' remaining for Mets |date=October 11, 1973 |page=29 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827201158/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0AJPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7275%2C5131692 |url-status=live }}[https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1973.shtml 1973 National League Team Statistics and Standings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604143958/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1973.shtml |date=June 4, 2023 }} won the series in five games win advance to the World Series against the Oakland A's.

In 1974, 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. The Reds won the second-most games in the majors (98) but lost the West Division to the Los Angeles Dodgers.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1974-standings.shtml#all_standings_W|title=1974 NL West Standings|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515214259/http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1974-standings.shtml#all_standings_W|url-status=live}} In 1975, the Reds finally broke through in the post season. Bench contributed 28 home runs and 110 RBI.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1975.shtml|title=1975 National League Season Summary|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429051329/http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1975.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Big Red Machine Rates Among Best Ever; Balance of Offense, Defense made '75 Cincinnati Team So Great |author=Peterson, Bill |work=Rocky Mountain News |publisher=Scripps Howard News Service |date=April 23, 1995}} Cincinnati swept the Pirates in three games to win the NLCS, and defeated the Boston Red Sox in a memorable seven-game World Series.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_NLCS.shtml|title=1975 NLCS - Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates (3-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622221033/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_WS.shtml|title=1975 World Series - Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox (4-3)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326231157/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_WS.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/worldseries/1975.html|title=Sporting News – NFL – NCAA – NBA – MLB – NASCAR – UFC – WWE|access-date=June 1, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611083540/http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/worldseries/1975.html|archive-date=June 11, 2010}}

File:Johnny Bench circa 1980 CROP.jpg

Bench struggled with ailing shoulders in 1976,

{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=No5QAAAAIBAJ&pg=7177,1659437 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Mom sees early Bench retirement |date=August 11, 1976 |page=5-part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and had one of his least productive years, with only 16 home runs and 74 RBI. He finished with an excellent postseason, starting with a 4-for-12 (.333) performance in the NLCS sweep over the Philadelphia Phillies.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1976_NLCS.shtml|title=1976 NLCS - Cincinnati Reds over Philadelphia Phillies (3-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326163802/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1976_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}} The World Series provided a head-to-head match-up with the Yankees' all-star catcher, Thurman Munson. Bench rose to the occasion, hitting .533 with two home runs, while Munson also hit well, with a .529 average.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/munsoth01.shtml#batting_postseason|title=Thurman Munson Statistics and History|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628090518/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/munsoth01.shtml#batting_postseason|url-status=live}} The Reds won in a four-game sweep and Bench was named the Series' MVP.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1976_WS.shtml|title=1976 World Series - Cincinnati Reds over New York Yankees (4-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=November 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130235324/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1976_WS.shtml|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/postmvp.shtml|title=MLB Postseason World Series MVP Awards & All-Star Game MVP Award Winners|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315125838/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/postmvp.shtml|url-status=live}} At the post-World Series press conference, Reds manager Sparky Anderson was asked by a journalist to compare Munson with his catcher. Anderson replied, "I don't want to embarrass any other catcher by comparing him to Johnny Bench."

All Roads Lead to October (chapter 10) by Maury Allen, St. Martin's Press 2000 {{ISBN|0-312-26175-6}} Bench bounced back in 1977 to hit 31 home runs and 109 RBI but the Dodgers won two straight NL pennants. The Reds reached the postseason just once more in his career, in 1979, but were swept in three straight in the NLCS by the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1979_NLCS.shtml|title=1979 NLCS - Pittsburgh Pirates over Cincinnati Reds (3-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622221033/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1979_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}}

=1980s=

For the last three seasons of his career, Bench moved out from behind the plate, catching only 13 games, while primarily becoming a corner infielder (first or third base). The Cincinnati Reds proclaimed Saturday, September 17, 1983, "Johnny Bench Night" at Riverfront Stadium, in which he hit his 389th and final home run, a line drive to left in the third inning, before a record crowd.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qflVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6855%2C4847428|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|agency=wire services|title=On Bench's special night, Houston spoils finish 4–3|date=September 18, 1983|page=7C|access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001855/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qflVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6855,4847428|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198309170.shtml|title=September 17, 1983 Houston Astros at Cincinnati Reds Box Score and Play by Play|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804124623/http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198309170.shtml|url-status=live}} He retired at the end of the season at age 35.

MLB career statistics

{{MLBBioRet

|Image = CincinnatiReds5.png

|Name = Johnny Bench

|Number = 5

|Team = Cincinnati Reds

|Year = 1984

|}}

Bench had 2,048 hits for a .267 career batting average with 389 home runs and 1,376 RBI during his 17-year Major League career, all spent with the Reds. He 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.{{cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/careerld.htm|title=Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers Career Batting Leaders|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200708/http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/careerld.htm|url-status=live}} Bench still holds the Major League record for the most grand slam home runs by a catcher, with 10.{{cite web|title=McCann and Bench|url=http://espn.go.com/espn/elias|work=ESPN|access-date=June 24, 2013|archive-date=July 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725190252/http://espn.go.com/espn/elias|url-status=dead}} In his career, Bench earned 10 Gold Gloves, was named to the National League All-Star team 14 times, and won two Most Valuable Player Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#multi|title=MLB National League Gold Glove Award Winners|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528001941/https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#multi|url-status=live}} He led the National League three times in caught stealing percentage and ended his career with a .990 fielding percentage at catcher and an overall .987 fielding percentage. He caught 118 shutouts during his career, ranking him 12th all-time among major league catchers.{{cite web |url=http://bb_catchers.tripod.com/catchers/tmonth1.htm |title=The Encyclopedia of Catchers – Trivia December 2010 – Career Shutouts Caught |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers |access-date=December 29, 2015 |archive-date=August 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820234857/http://bb_catchers.tripod.com/catchers/tmonth1.htm |url-status=live }} Bench also won such awards as the Lou Gehrig Award (1975), the Babe Ruth Award (1976), and the Hutch Award (1981).{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hutch_gehrig_ruth_clemente.shtml|title=MLB The Hutch Award, Lou Gehrig Award, Babe Ruth Award & Roberto Clemente Award Winners|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531135759/https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hutch_gehrig_ruth_clemente.shtml|url-status=live}}

Bench popularized the hinged catcher's mitt, first introduced by Randy Hundley of the Chicago Cubs.{{cite web|url=https://baseballbiography.com/randy-hundley-1942|title=Randy Hundley|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331005334/https://baseballbiography.com/randy-hundley-1942/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/research/evolution-catchers-equipment|title=The Evolution of Catcher's Equipment|author1=Rosciam, Chuck|website=SABR|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526003333/https://sabr.org/research/evolution-catchers-equipment|url-status=live}} He began using the mitt after a stint on the disabled list in 1966 for a thumb injury on his throwing hand. The mitt allowed Bench to tuck his throwing arm safely to the side when receiving the pitch. By the turn of the decade, the hinged mitt became standard catchers' equipment. Having huge hands (a famous photograph features him holding seven baseballs in his right hand{{cite web|url=https://redlegnation.com/2015/03/04/hall-of-100-johnny-bench/|title=Hall of 100: Johnny Bench|website=Redleg Nation|author1=Carrington, Nick|date=March 4, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404210645/http://redlegnation.com/2015/03/04/hall-of-100-johnny-bench/|url-status=live}}), Bench also tended to block breaking balls in the dirt by scooping them with one hand instead of the more common and fundamentally proper way: dropping to both knees and blocking the ball using the chest protector to keep the ball in front.

Personal life

Bench has been married five times. Once hailed as "baseball's most-eligible bachelor," he shed that distinction before the 1975 season when he married Vickie Chesser, a toothpaste model who had dated Joe Namath. Four days after they met, Bench proposed, and they were married on February 21, 1975.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xmRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=1393%2C3880537 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Women lament marriage of Bench |date=February 21, 1975 |page=10 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001854/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xmRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=1393,3880537 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zoFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=2617%2C2534073 |work=Youngstown Vindicator |location=(Ohio) |agency=Associated Press |title=1,000 guests attend Bench wedding in Hollywood-like setting |date=February 22, 1975 |page=8 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001852/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zoFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=2617,2534073 |url-status=live }} Quickly, the pair realized they were incompatible, especially after Bench suggested that his wife accept Hustler magazine's offer for her to pose nude for $25,000.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VjBYAAAAIBAJ&pg=3415%2C3243289 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title='Marriage of the century' over; post-wedding Ping Pong didn't help |date=February 2, 1977 |page=15 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827200314/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VjBYAAAAIBAJ&pg=3415%2C3243289 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Rosen |first1=Ron |title=Barons and Benches Troubled |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/02/02/barons-and-benches-troubled/b18f42c6-2d93-41f4-9e17-f686b551b0ee/ |access-date=May 27, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 2, 1977 |quote=I did have one offer: Hustler magazine offered me $25,000 to pose in Hustler style. I rejected the idea but Johnny said, 'Why not, it's good money.' |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527234709/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/02/02/barons-and-benches-troubled/b18f42c6-2d93-41f4-9e17-f686b551b0ee/ |url-status=live }} They broke up at the end of the season (Bench reportedly said to her, "Now I'm done with two things I hate: baseball and you"), divorcing after just 13 months. "I tried. I even hand-squeezed orange juice," Chesser told Phil Donahue in December 1975. "I don't think either of us had any idea what marriage was really like." After returning to Manhattan, Chesser said, "Johnny Bench is a great athlete, a mediocre everything else, and a true tragedy as a person."{{cite book |last1=Adelman |first1=Tom |title=The Long Ball |date=April 1, 2004 |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |isbn=0316796441 |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/long-ball-tom-adelman/1112360128#/ |access-date=May 27, 2019 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001853/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/long-ball-tom-adelman/1112360128#/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Bench prefers ping-pong to wife on wedding night |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/argus-feb-04-1977-p-16/ |access-date=May 27, 2019 |work=The Argus |agency=United Press International |date=February 4, 1977 |location=Cincinnati, Ohio |page=16 |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527233312/https://newspaperarchive.com/argus-feb-04-1977-p-16/ |url-status=live }}

Before Christmas 1987, Bench married Laura Cwikowski, an Oklahoma City model and aerobics instructor. They had a son, Bobby Binger Bench (named after Bob Hope and Bobby Knight, and Bench's hometown), before divorcing in 1995. They shared custody of their son. "He was, and is, a great dad," according to Bobby, who works in Cincinnati as a production operator on Reds broadcasts. Bench's third marriage, to Elizabeth Benton, took place in 1997. Johnny filed for divorce in 2000 on grounds of marital infidelity. His fourth marriage took place in 2004, to 31-year-old Lauren Baiocchi, the daughter of pro golfer Hugh Baiocchi. After living in Palm Springs with their two sons, Johnny wished to return to South Florida, where he lived from 2014 to 2017. However, Lauren would not relocate to Florida, leading to their divorce. As of 2018, Bench has primary custody of their sons.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/07/05/johnny-bench-cincinnati-reds |title=Johnny Bench Is Already a Hall-of-Famer, But He's Looking For a New Distinction |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 2, 2018 |first=Jon |last=Wertheim |access-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026025033/https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/07/05/johnny-bench-cincinnati-reds |url-status=live }}

Bench was married for the fifth time in March 2024.{{cite web | last=Wysong | first=David | title=Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench confirms fifth marriage | website=Cincinnati Enquirer | date=2024-08-07 | url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2024/08/07/cincinnati-reds-legend-johnny-bench-fifth-marriage/74707694007/ | access-date=2024-11-28}}

While still an active MLB player, he made a cameo appearance as a Kings Island Inn poolside waiter in "I Left My Heart in Cincinnati," a Season 3 episode of The Partridge Family which first aired on January 26, 1973.[https://www.wvxu.org/media/2017-01-26/the-partridge-family-kings-island-episode-aired-in-1973 Kiesewetter, John. "The Partridge Family Kings Island Episode Aired In 1973," WVXU-FM 91.7 (Cincinnati, OH), Thursday, January 26, 2017.] Retrieved October 28, 2024.

Honors and post-career activities

File:Johnny Bench Statue at Great American Ball Park.jpg

File:Johnny Bench signs autographs in May 2014.jpg

Bench was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, in 1989 alongside Carl Yastrzemski.{{cite web|url=http://baseballhall.org/hof/bench-johnny|title=Johnny Bench|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=July 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717213204/http://baseballhall.org/hof/bench-johnny|url-status=live}} He was elected in his first year of eligibility, and appeared on 96% of the ballots, the third-highest percentage at that time. Three years earlier, Bench had been inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and his uniform No. 5 was retired by the team.{{cite web|url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/history/retired_numbers.jsp|title=Reds Retired Numbers|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614220325/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/history/retired_numbers.jsp|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/ballpark/museum/hofers.jsp|title=Hall of Fame & Museum – Reds Hall of Famers|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=July 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721072221/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/ballpark/museum/hofers.jsp|url-status=dead}} He is currently on the board of directors for the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. In 1989, he became the first individual baseball player to appear on a Wheaties box, a cereal he ate as a child.{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NfhSAAAAIBAJ&pg=5134,2513832|newspaper=Deseret News|agency=wire services|title=Johnny Bench gets his picture on Wheaties box|date=July 6, 1989|page=D7|access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827200244/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NfhSAAAAIBAJ&pg=5134,2513832|url-status=live}}

For a time in the 1980s Bench was a commercial spokesman for Krylon paint, featuring a memorable catchphrase: "I'm Johnny Bench, and this is Johnny Bench's bench."{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzrdWyhoH0c| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/gzrdWyhoH0c| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|via=YouTube|title=Johnny's Bench, Krylon| date=January 25, 2014}}{{cbignore}} In 1985, Bench starred as Joe Boyd/Joe Hardy in a Cincinnati stage production of the musical Damn Yankees, which also included Gwen Verdon and Gary Sandy. He also hosted the television series The Baseball Bunch from 1982 to 1985. A cast of boys and girls from the Tucson, Arizona, area would learn the game of baseball from Bench and other current and retired greats. The Chicken provided comic relief and former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda appeared as "The Dugout Wizard."

In 1986, Bench and Don Drysdale did the backup contests for ABC's Sunday afternoon baseball telecasts (Al Michaels and Jim Palmer were the primary commentating crew). Keith Jackson, usually working with Tim McCarver did the No. 2 Monday night games. Bench took a week off in June (with Steve Busby filling in), and also worked one game with Michaels as the networks switched the announcer pairings. While Drysdale worked the All-Star Game in Houston as an interviewer he did not resurface until the playoffs. Bench simply disappeared, ultimately going to CBS Radio to help Brent Musburger call that year's National League Championship Series. Bench would later serve as color commentator CBS Radio's World Series coverage alongside Jack Buck and later Vin Scully from 1989–1993. In 1994, Bench served as a field reporter for NBC/The Baseball Network's coverage of the All-Star Game from Pittsburgh.

After turning 50, Bench was a part-time professional golfer and played in several events on the Senior PGA Tour.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sG5hAAAAIBAJ&pg=2970,1104388 |newspaper=Catoosa County News |location=Ringgold, Georgia |agency=Knight-Ridder Newspapers |last=Carter |first=Ivan |title=Johnny Bench attempts to make mark on Senior Tour |date=August 12, 1998 |page=1B |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001858/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sG5hAAAAIBAJ&pg=2970,1104388 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/971208/gp1208/i.html |work=CNNSI.com |title=My Shot: Still Swinging |last=Bench |first=Johnny |date=December 3, 1997 |access-date=July 30, 2013 |archive-date=December 29, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031229112102/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/971208/gp1208/i.html |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/golf/champions/players/Johnny+Bench/1127/log |work=Yahoo! Sports |title=Golf: Johnny Bench |access-date=July 30, 2013 |archive-date=September 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915205544/https://sports.yahoo.com/golf/champions/players/Johnny+Bench/1127/log |url-status=live }} He has a home at the Mission Hills-Gary Player Course in Rancho Mirage, California.{{cite book|last1=Meeks|first1=Eric G.|title=Palm Springs Celebrity Homes: Little Tuscany, Racquet Club, Racquet Club Estates and Desert Park Estates Neighborhoods|date=2012 |page= 392 |publisher=Horatio Limburger Oglethorpe|type=Kindle|asin= B00A2PXD1G}}

In 1999, Bench ranked Number 16 on The Sporting News list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players.{{cite web|url=http://archive.sportingnews.com/baseball/100/ |title=Johnny Bench at The Sporting News 100 Greatest Baseball Players |access-date=June 1, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227144518/http://archive.sportingnews.com/baseball/100/ |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }} He was the highest-ranking catcher. Bench was also elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team as the top vote-receiving catcher.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/mlb_history_moreinfo.jsp|title=The All-Century Team|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=January 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119065808/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/mlb_history_moreinfo.jsp|url-status=live}} As part of the Golden Anniversary of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, Bench was selected to the All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team.{{cite web|url=http://www.rawlingsgoldglove.com/about/all_time_winners|title=Gold Glove :: Rawlings.com|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=January 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112214556/http://www.rawlingsgoldglove.com/about/all_time_winners|url-status=live}}

From the 2000 college baseball season until 2018, the best collegiate catcher annually received the Johnny Bench Award. Notable winners include Buster Posey of Florida State University, Kelly Shoppach of Baylor University, Ryan Garko of Stanford University, and Kurt Suzuki of Cal State Fullerton. The award was renamed the Buster Posey Award for the 2019 season onwards.{{cite web|title=Buster Posey Award (Johnny Bench Award)|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/johnny_bench_award.shtml|website=Baseball Almanac|access-date=August 22, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815233233/https://baseball-almanac.com/awards/johnny_bench_award.shtml|url-status=live}}

In 2003, he guest starred on an episode of Yes, Dear as himself, along with Ernie Banks and Frank Robinson.{{Cite web|url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/yes_dear/s03/e16|title = Yes, Dear: Season 3, Episode 16|publisher = Rotten Tomatoes|access-date = March 31, 2020|archive-date = July 31, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200731214306/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/yes_dear/s03/e16|url-status = live}}

In 2008, Bench co-wrote the book Catch Every Ball: How to Handle Life's Pitches with Paul Daugherty, published by Orange Frazer Press. An autobiography published in 1979 called Catch You Later was co-authored with William Brashler. Bench has also broadcast games on television and radio, and is an avid golfer, having played in several Champions Tour tournaments.

Bench was interviewed by Heidi Watney of the New England Sports Network during a September 2008 Boston Red Sox game at Fenway Park. While knuckleballer Tim Wakefield was on the mound for the Red Sox, Bench related a story that then-Reds manager Sparky Anderson told him that he was thinking of trading for knuckleballer Phil Niekro. Bench replied that Anderson had better trade for Niekro's catcher, too.{{cite web|url=http://soxanddawgs.com/2008/09/24/johnny-bench-does-a-harry-caray-impression|title=Johnny Bench Does A Harry Caray Impression|access-date=June 1, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104164711/http://soxanddawgs.com/2008/09/24/johnny-bench-does-a-harry-caray-impression/|archive-date=January 4, 2010}}

On September 17, 2011, the Cincinnati Reds unveiled a statue of Bench at the entrance way of the Reds Hall of Fame at Great American Ball Park. The larger-than-life bronze statue by Tom Tsuchiya, shows Bench in the act of throwing out a base runner.{{cite news| work=The Cincinnati Enquirer| title=Johnny Bench Bronze Age| date=September 17, 2011| url=http://news.cincinnati.com/videonetwork/1163895329001/Johnny-Bench-Statue| access-date=August 24, 2012| archive-date=November 17, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117132259/http://news.cincinnati.com/videonetwork/1163895329001/Johnny-Bench-Statue| url-status=live}}{{cite news| work=The New York Times| title=In Baseball's Bronze Age, Statues are Becoming Bigger Part of the Landscape| date=September 21, 2011| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/sports/baseball/baseballs-bronze-age.html?pagewanted=all| access-date=July 19, 2012| archive-date=October 4, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004165628/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/sports/baseball/baseballs-bronze-age.html?pagewanted=all| url-status=live}} Bench called the unveiling of his statue his "greatest moment."{{cite news|publisher=Major League Baseball|title=Bench calls statue his 'greatest moment'|date=September 17, 2011|url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110917&content_id=24847440&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|access-date=August 24, 2012|archive-date=March 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328205514/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110917&content_id=24847440&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead}}

In 2016, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.{{cite web |title=2016 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://sportshof.org/2016-hall-of-fame/ |website=www.sportshof.org |author=Dr. Robert Goldman |date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714042309/https://sportshof.org/2016-hall-of-fame/ |url-status=live }} He was also 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.{{cite web | title=Bob Feller Act of Valor Award | website=MLB.com | url=https://www.mlb.com/guardians/community/feller-act-of-valor | access-date=2024-11-28}}

References

External links

{{Official website|http://www.johnnybench.com/|Official Website—johnnybench.com}}
{{Bbhof|bench-johnny}}
{{Baseballstats|br=b/benchjo01}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20080331071743/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/bio/news/story?page=Bench_Johnny Baseball's Greatest Catcher]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20090105083026/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/B/BE015.html "Bench, Johnny"] Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture
[https://books.google.com/books?id=7jMDAAAAMBAJ&dq=baseball+digest+johnny+bench&pg=PA60 "Johnny Bench: Number 1 Home Run Hitter of All Catchers"]{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Baseball Digest, December 1980
[https://books.google.com/books?id=KSsDAAAAMBAJ&dq=baseball+digest+johnny+bench&pg=PA64 "Johnny Bench: From Binger to Cooperstown"]{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Baseball Digest, February 2000
{{IMDb name|070337}}
{{PGATour player|23241}}
[http://voicesofoklahoma.com/interview/bench-johnny/ Voices of Oklahoma interview with Johnny Bench.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101555/http://voicesofoklahoma.com/interview/bench-johnny/ |date=April 2, 2015 }} First person interview conducted on March 28, 2012, with Johnny Bench.