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2. Johnny Bench

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2. Johnny Bench
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: December 7, 1947 in Oklahoma City, OK USA
  • Weight: 197 lbs.
  • Height: 6'1"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: August 28, 1967
  • Final Game: September 29, 1983
  • Gold Glove - 1968
  • Rookie of the Year - 1968
  • TSN All-Star - 1968
  • Gold Glove - 1969
  • TSN All-Star - 1969
  • Gold Glove - 1970
  • Most Valuable Player - 1970
  • TSN All-Star - 1970
  • TSN Major League Player of the Year - 1970
  • TSN Player of the Year - 1970
  • Gold Glove - 1971
  • Gold Glove - 1972
  • Most Valuable Player - 1972
  • TSN All-Star - 1972
  • Gold Glove - 1973
  • TSN All-Star - 1973
  • Gold Glove - 1974
  • TSN All-Star - 1974
  • Gold Glove - 1975
  • Lou Gehrig Memorial Award - 1975
  • TSN All-Star - 1975
  • Babe Ruth Award - 1976
  • Gold Glove - 1976
  • World Series MVP - 1976
  • Gold Glove - 1977
  • Hutch Award - 1981
  • MVP - 1968
  • MVP - 1969
  • MVP - 1970
  • MVP - 1972
  • MVP - 1973
  • MVP - 1974
  • MVP - 1975
  • MVP - 1977
  • MVP - 1979
  • MVP - 1980
  • Rookie of the Year - 1968
 
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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.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Catcher
  • Acquired: Selected in the 2nd Round of the Amateur Draft 6/8/65
  • Departed: Retired after the 1983 Season.
  • Games Played: 2158
  • Notable Statistics: 1,091 Runs Scored
    2,048 Hits
    381 Doubles
    24 Triples
    388 Home Runs
    1,376 Runs Batted In
    68 Stolen Bases
    .267/.342/.476 Slash Line
    75.2 bWAR

    45 Playoff Games
    27 Runs Scored
    45 Hits
    8 Doubles
    3 Triples
    10 Home Runs
    20 Runs Batted In
    6 Stolen Bases
    .266/.335/.527 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards: World Series Champion (1975 & 1976)
    MVP (1970 & 1972)
    All-Star (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980 & 1983)
    Gold Glove (1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 & 1977)
    Rookie of the Year (1968)
    Lou Gehrig Memorial Award (1975)
    Babe Ruth Award (1976)
    World Series MVP (1976)
    Hutch Award (1981)
    Highest bWAR for Position Players (1970)
    Highest Defensive bWAR (1972)
    Most Total Bases (1974)
    Most Home Runs (1970 & 1972)
    Most Runs Batted In (1970, 1972 & 1974)
    Most Extra Base Hits (1970 & 1974)
    Most Sacrifice Flies (1970, 1972 & 1973)
    Most Intentional Walks (1972)
    Most Putouts by a Catcher (1968 & 1976)
    Most Assists by a Catcher (1968)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a Catcher (1974)
    Highest Caught Stealing Percentage (1969, 1972 & 1973)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Catcher (1970, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975 & 1976)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Catcher (1976)
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