1980 - My sister had leukemia. Johnny Bench sent her a picture and a letter to her on Tuesday. On Thursday after coming from San Fran, Johnny called her in her hospital room and encouraged her. He was her favorite baseball player. She passed away about 2 weeks later. I will love Bench forever for that. I got to thank him in 1996 in Orlando.
I grew up in SW Ohio watching the Big Red Machine in the 70s (they won the Series on my 12th birthday in '75). I had an inkling that this was a decent guy in addition to being a legendary ballplayer, but I never knew till all these YT videos what a thoughtful person he is. So good to see.
He was intelligent. I watched him during his hey day. I believe he worked with his pitchers very well and got the best out of them. But he was blessed with very good hand eye coordination. Was he the greatest? Debatable. How can anyone accomplish more than Yogi Berra? Berra played in more World Series than any baseball player ever will. Ever. Johnny played in four World Series Ajani had the play playoffs in Yogi did not have a playoff system. Johnny Bench hit his share of home runs in playoff games and he hit some big home runs at a young age. His home run 2 time Pittsburgh in the 1972 playoff in the 9th inning was Monumental and probably the biggest of his life. He hit two home runs to finish off the Yankees in the 76 World Series. He hit a home run on Johnny Bench day in 1983 and I was there and that was the only day they ever had Johnny Bench day in Cincinnati. So he delivered a lot of big hits when he had to or when it was memorable for all time. Johnny won both of his MVPs at a very young age so he was a young phenomenon. And he won 10 gold gloves. You were allowed to block the plate in his day and he blocked the plate tremendously well and I remember that well. Part of it was how he diligently went about doing it but he had great hand-eye coordination of catching a ball and tagging. He was my baseball hero but I don't think it's fair to say he was the greatest catcher. There are other great catchers. In golf you can debate who's the greatest golfer but when you look closely into it you see they were great golfers in different eras. so I believe you can say Johnny Bench was the greatest catcher of his era and certainly one of the greatest of all time. and just leave it at that.
Was living in Dayton, OH back in the early `80's, had some relatives from out West visiting and they wanted to go to Cincinnati to see the Dodgers who were in town...we go and it was one of those magnificent nights..the Trolley Dodgers are leading by three in the ninth...the Reds get 3 on...Bench comes up with 2 outs...he, if my memory serves me, fouled off about three pitches (seemed like more) then he hit a towering shot over center....what a night.
Johnny Bench is selling APPs at 69 years young and sounds sharp as a tack! Great to hear that the best catcher EVER is not stuck in the glory days and even has two young kids. Way to go Johnny!
I am a diehard Dodgers fan since ‘72. Once Steve Yeager became starting catcher, I Truly believed he was as good, as well as consistent DEFENSIVELY as Johnny Bench. But Steve could NEVER stay consistent OFFENSIVELY!! Pick off a guy at first? Yeager did it! Same at second. But his bat? Bummer. I was so sad, especially since I HATED the Reds and Yankees all thru my youth. Now I’m in my mid 50’s and I’ve so much respect for all of the Reds from that era!!
Saw Johnny Bench at boxing match by Palm Springs. Security wouldn't let me close just to tell him how much I hated him, just because he was so damn good and would whoop my Dodgers. Dodgers-Reds 70's. Nothing better. Outstanding player.
In the 70s, there was nothing like a Dodgers-Reds showdown. How much fun was it come All-Star time? Nothing but Reds & Dodgers, and a few token players from a few other NL teams. :-)
A class act in baseball ,and a class act / Humanitarian off the field ! And , And , how inspiring to men that he shows a man can choose to have children in his 60's,HOW GREAT ! I think that Johnny's focus on the kids of today about being a HUMAN BEING ! More successful people must talk to kids about being good people ,,,OUTSIDE OF MONEY !
Two things: 1.) They mention the (relatively) low pay for players of that era. They were also approachable. For my three years in Cub Scouts, we had Gordy Coleman, then Pete Rose, then Johnny Bench as guests at our annual Blue and Gold banquets - and they didn't collect a single penny in appearance fees to do it. I think that says a lot about the players of that era as people. I doubt you could get that from many players today. 2.) I feel that Pete should eventually get into the Hall of Fame (maybe posthumously). To keep him out would be a disservice to fans.
Bobby Orr would be driving by kid's hospitals with teammates, and exclaim... "Let's go in and visit some kids." And they would, no money and no cameras.
Johnny played against us in high school in Oklahoma. I didn't play because it was older teams but he hit one long homer off an amphitheater that set out passed left field. Either that or he hit one on the swimming pool out past center. I thought he hit both but the catcher that day said no he hit one and a black kid hit one. Two things happened that day. Number one nobody knew Johnny Bench and number two we had never seen any one hit it that far in school.
Binger and Rush Springs Oklahoma. We shot paper wads and now they shoot lead. Parents and lack of no discipline is to blame. It's insanity where this country has gone. Politically correct is ass backwards to ever concept in life because it lacks common sense.
Well, truth be known as per this "interview", J.B. was so far ahead of these two wannabees, they probably should have just had him sign a few baseballs and go home. J.B. is a very intelligent man, able to play with people like these two morons and always come out on top. He's always on to bigger things. Great catcher and greater man.
Roberto Clemente greatest right fielder , Willie Stargell & Tony Perez greatest 1st basemen , Joe Morgan & Ryan Sandburg great at 2rd ....Dave Conception , Ozzie Smith, George foster &
5 лет назад
You do realize baseball was played prior to and after 1974
Dude. I’m just going to destroy a few of these. Rogers Hornsby is by far a better 2nd baseman. Even Sandberg would tell you that. And there’s a certain right fielder by the name of Ted Williams that isn’t just the greatest right fielder of all time, he is the greatest hitter of all time. Smh.
Nice leading question, there. Anything to take a potshot at an outspoken conservative like Curt Schilling, I guess. These tweebs next to Bench have more vitriol for a conservative like Schilling who "says mean things" (allegedly) than an athlete that kneels during our national anthem or even one that punches his out his own wife in an elevator. It's insane.
The athletes kneeling are protesting police brutality. Schilling was championing the Iraq War back in 2003. He's still a douche even if Johnny Bench is defending him
@@martywheat9726 The best Stat on how great a hitter Ted was is that he finished 15 times in the top 10 in either batting average, slugging, or OPS. The next HOF catcher did it 9 times, the one after that, 6. Indeed. Ted is in a class all his own.
Still.....the moment they brought up sexuality with Johnny Bench....they lost me. Christ, guys....Stick to the topic. Have some respect for the greatest all around catcher in baseball history....
Exactly. What a pair of tools. Sadly, being foul-mouthed and "edgy" is now esteemed more than being intelligent, and at the expense of any shred of decorum.
I think the interviewers were trying to look like idiots, because nobody acts like that naturally... I hope. Kind of felt embarrassed for Johnny Bench. Seems like a great guy.
Ummm......that could be a great argument, but this is the wrong video to make that case. Not ripping or dissin you, but let the GreatJohnny Bench have the spotlight for a bit.....He is an American Icon!!
1980 - My sister had leukemia. Johnny Bench sent her a picture and a letter to her on Tuesday. On Thursday after coming from San Fran, Johnny called her in her hospital room and encouraged her. He was her favorite baseball player. She passed away about 2 weeks later. I will love Bench forever for that. I got to thank him in 1996 in Orlando.
The COOLEST cat to ever put on the mask and mitt. Absolute legend.
Greatest catcher ever to play the game, 1967-1980 ish ( sorry JB ) left school at 17 and smart enough to see the need for anti bullying app in 2021.
Johnny Bench simply seems like a good man. Good, decent dude.
"... A critic is a legless man, who teaches running ..." Gold
Johnny is one hell of a salesman
I grew up in SW Ohio watching the Big Red Machine in the 70s (they won the Series on my 12th birthday in '75). I had an inkling that this was a decent guy in addition to being a legendary ballplayer, but I never knew till all these YT videos what a thoughtful person he is. So good to see.
greatest catcher of all-time no question
Johnny seems ultra intelligent... I love that he has a strong opinion on different issues... He is also open minded... He had a rifle for an arm
He was intelligent. I watched him during his hey day. I believe he worked with his pitchers very well and got the best out of them. But he was blessed with very good hand eye coordination. Was he the greatest? Debatable. How can anyone accomplish more than Yogi Berra? Berra played in more World Series than any baseball player ever will. Ever. Johnny played in four World Series Ajani had the play playoffs in Yogi did not have a playoff system. Johnny Bench hit his share of home runs in playoff games and he hit some big home runs at a young age. His home run 2 time Pittsburgh in the 1972 playoff in the 9th inning was Monumental and probably the biggest of his life. He hit two home runs to finish off the Yankees in the 76 World Series. He hit a home run on Johnny Bench day in 1983 and I was there and that was the only day they ever had Johnny Bench day in Cincinnati. So he delivered a lot of big hits when he had to or when it was memorable for all time. Johnny won both of his MVPs at a very young age so he was a young phenomenon. And he won 10 gold gloves. You were allowed to block the plate in his day and he blocked the plate tremendously well and I remember that well. Part of it was how he diligently went about doing it but he had great hand-eye coordination of catching a ball and tagging. He was my baseball hero but I don't think it's fair to say he was the greatest catcher. There are other great catchers. In golf you can debate who's the greatest golfer but when you look closely into it you see they were great golfers in different eras. so I believe you can say Johnny Bench was the greatest catcher of his era and certainly one of the greatest of all time. and just leave it at that.
Johnny bench the greatest catcher that ever lived on the greatest team ever THE BIG RED MACHINE
What a baseball legend, Johnny Bench! #HOF⚾️
Was living in Dayton, OH back in the early `80's, had some relatives from out West visiting and they wanted to go to Cincinnati to see the Dodgers who were in town...we go and it was one of those magnificent nights..the Trolley Dodgers are leading by three in the ninth...the Reds get 3 on...Bench comes up with 2 outs...he, if my memory serves me, fouled off about three pitches (seemed like more) then he hit a towering shot over center....what a night.
Johnny Bench is selling APPs at 69 years young and sounds sharp as a tack! Great to hear that the best catcher EVER is not stuck in the glory days and even has two young kids. Way to go Johnny!
Iam a Yankees fan and I remember the 1976 world series,total dominance.
I am a diehard Dodgers fan since ‘72. Once Steve Yeager became starting catcher, I Truly believed he was as good, as well as consistent DEFENSIVELY as Johnny Bench. But Steve could NEVER stay consistent OFFENSIVELY!!
Pick off a guy at first? Yeager did it! Same at second. But his bat? Bummer. I was so sad, especially since I HATED the Reds and Yankees all thru my youth. Now I’m in my mid 50’s and I’ve so much respect for all of the Reds from that era!!
"I was taking money from a team that I didn't earn" Jesus Christ, there isn't a single person in the game today with that kind of ethics
Jesus Christ was a ballplayer? What team?
Not only a legendary player, but smart as hell, involved in modern technology, and working for great causes. He's a great role model.
Being in the Hall Of Fame = Legendary
Mr Bench......If you are ever at the theater when I am.......not only will you be moved to the front of line; but it will be resounding cheers!!
Renewed respect for Johnny.
To be on with these guys? Yes, much respect.
Really enjoy J Bench... class act and great player!!!!
Saw Johnny Bench at boxing match by Palm Springs. Security wouldn't let me close just to tell him how much I hated him, just because he was so damn good and would whoop my Dodgers. Dodgers-Reds 70's. Nothing better.
Outstanding player.
Ya only hate the players that are opposing your team that are great!!
In the 70s, there was nothing like a Dodgers-Reds showdown. How much fun was it come All-Star time? Nothing but Reds & Dodgers, and a few token players from a few other NL teams. :-)
Bench couldn't win a world series without Pete
100% True; No Matter Your Opinion on Rose's ban from MLB Baseball (which is BS) he is One of the Greatest Baseball Players of ALL TIME
A class act in baseball ,and a class act / Humanitarian off the field ! And , And , how inspiring to men that he shows a man can choose to have children in his 60's,HOW GREAT !
I think that Johnny's focus on the kids of today about being a HUMAN BEING ! More successful people must talk to kids about being good people ,,,OUTSIDE OF MONEY !
Two things: 1.) They mention the (relatively) low pay for players of that era. They were also approachable. For my three years in Cub Scouts, we had Gordy Coleman, then Pete Rose, then Johnny Bench as guests at our annual Blue and Gold banquets - and they didn't collect a single penny in appearance fees to do it. I think that says a lot about the players of that era as people. I doubt you could get that from many players today. 2.) I feel that Pete should eventually get into the Hall of Fame (maybe posthumously). To keep him out would be a disservice to fans.
Bobby Orr would be driving by kid's hospitals with teammates, and exclaim... "Let's go in and visit some kids." And they would, no money and no cameras.
Johnny played against us in high school in Oklahoma. I didn't play because it was older teams but he hit one long homer off an amphitheater that set out passed left field. Either that or he hit one on the swimming pool out past center. I thought he hit both but the catcher that day said no he hit one and a black kid hit one. Two things happened that day. Number one nobody knew Johnny Bench and number two we had never seen any one hit it that far in school.
Binger and Rush Springs Oklahoma. We shot paper wads and now they shoot lead. Parents and lack of no discipline is to blame. It's insanity where this country has gone. Politically correct is ass backwards to ever concept in life because it lacks common sense.
My son is 18 he knew who Bench and Rose was when he was 5
I do miss the O&A how this show seems too nice!
Those guys couldn't hold Johnny bench's jockstrap what a joke
Strongest hands in the game, back in the day.. He once crushed an unopened metal can of pineapples to win a bet..
Cool interview
Well, truth be known as per this "interview", J.B. was so far ahead of these two wannabees, they probably should have just had him sign a few baseballs and go home. J.B. is a very intelligent man, able to play with people like these two morons and always come out on top. He's always on to bigger things. Great catcher and greater man.
look at the size of those hands
We will always debate these issues.... How about we put the players in the Hall whose play merited it... and then continue the debate..
Pete Rose greatest hitter
Pete Ross most hits. Ted Williams greatest hitter.
@@josephreynolds4649 There, you fixed it. If you didn’t, I was going to.
I think he was the valedictorian of his senior class.
He set them straight on Curt Schilling in a hurry.
Roberto Clemente greatest right fielder , Willie Stargell & Tony Perez greatest 1st basemen , Joe Morgan & Ryan Sandburg great at 2rd ....Dave Conception , Ozzie Smith, George foster &
You do realize baseball was played prior to and after 1974
Dude. I’m just going to destroy a few of these. Rogers Hornsby is by far a better 2nd baseman. Even Sandberg would tell you that. And there’s a certain right fielder by the name of Ted Williams that isn’t just the greatest right fielder of all time, he is the greatest hitter of all time. Smh.
Nice leading question, there. Anything to take a potshot at an outspoken conservative like Curt Schilling, I guess. These tweebs next to Bench have more vitriol for a conservative like Schilling who "says mean things" (allegedly) than an athlete that kneels during our national anthem or even one that punches his out his own wife in an elevator. It's insane.
The athletes kneeling are protesting police brutality. Schilling was championing the Iraq War back in 2003. He's still a douche even if Johnny Bench is defending him
Classy guy ;-)
A+
The G.O.A.T.
Love Bench, but Ted Simmons has more RBIs. Needs to be in the Hall.
I was a Ted Simmons fan but even he would tell you he was no Johnny Bench
Ted was truly great
@@martywheat9726 The best Stat on how great a hitter Ted was is that he finished 15 times in the top 10 in either batting average, slugging, or OPS. The next HOF catcher did it 9 times, the one after that, 6. Indeed. Ted is in a class all his own.
@@ultramagahoosierhermit2767 See my answer to Marty. All the best to you and yours.
@@chrisweidner4768 being a cardinal fan I agree he was something special
Terrible interview with a great man and catcher. Who hired these guy?
Yadi Molina
J.bench has kids that are 7 and 10? isn't he like 78yrs old now dude played in the 1960's
Still.....the moment they brought up sexuality with Johnny Bench....they lost me. Christ, guys....Stick to the topic. Have some respect for the greatest all around catcher in baseball history....
Exactly. What a pair of tools. Sadly, being foul-mouthed and "edgy" is now esteemed more than being intelligent, and at the expense of any shred of decorum.
Jim Norton needs to be humbled.
I think that happens everytime he looks in the mirror
I think the interviewers were trying to look like idiots, because nobody acts like that naturally... I hope. Kind of felt embarrassed for Johnny Bench. Seems like a great guy.
I'm surprised by his energy.
drrjim well he was the greatest catcher if not of all time. definitely one of the greats. bench was wicked.
Why does Norton look at his freakish co-host when he asks the guest a question?
Take a look
Never knew Johnny was an intellectual, whata' a lucid Mathaf&^(a
Haha, when Johnny mentioned the title of his book, Jimmy responded with an audible "ugh...".
It really is a corny title.
These guys are dorks!
the new generation of young "men"
Heard of JB.
Not the other two guys.
Skip...
Ivan Rodriguez is the best catcher ever .....
Ummm......that could be a great argument, but this is the wrong video to make that case. Not ripping or dissin you, but let the GreatJohnny Bench have the spotlight for a bit.....He is an American Icon!!
On steroids
Ooooofffffffff what a ?.???? Are you trying to hide? Best chatcher ever.......... if you want come out........go to the swimmers page......"
L
I BET HE STINKS LIKE BLUE EMU....
Are they gay?
If they are, so what?
Gary Carter and Carlton Fisk were better.
tim mutohfan Thurman Munson...