Johnny Bench Baseball Cards

About Johnny Bench, Hall of Famer

Johnny Bench spent his entire 17-year Major League career with the Cincinnati Reds, establishing himself as one of baseball's premier catchers from 1967 to 1983. The cornerstone of the Big Red Machine, Bench helped lead Cincinnati to six division titles, four National League pennants, and two World Series championships. A 14-time All-Star and two-time NL MVP, he excelled both offensively and defensively, becoming the first catcher to lead the league in home runs and retiring as the all-time home run leader at his position. His 389 home runs and 1,376 RBIs remain Cincinnati franchise records. A 10-time Gold Glove winner known for his strong arm and skillful pitch-calling, Bench was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 on his first ballot.

Did you know? Bench popularized the hinged catcher's mitt after a thumb injury in 1966, and by the turn of the decade, this innovation had become standard equipment for all catchers.

Source: Wikipedia, Johnny Bench (CC BY-SA)