It cannot be quantified just how good Johnny Bench was.
The Cincinnati Reds Catcher was not just one of the best offensive players at his position ever, but he also backed that up with stellar defense and a cerebral way to call his staff.
A two-time National League MVP, Bench would smack 389 Home Runs and would set a power record (since broken) for Catchers. On two occasions Bench would lead the NL in Home Runs, and three times in Runs Batted In. A fourteen-time All-Star, Bench would secure ten Gold Glove Awards, and was believed to be as good defensively as he was with his bat. Bench was a huge component of Cincinnati's two World Series wins in the 70s, and was the MVP of the 1976 Fall Classic.
It was no shock that Johnny Bench would become a first ballot Baseball Hall of Famer in 1989. The Reds retired his #5 in 1984, the year after he retired. Two years after, Bench was enshrined in the Reds Hall of Fame.
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