Johnny Bench was great....I mean Great! He led the League in Hrs and runs batted in twice. He was the best power hitter in baseball. He was won 10 consecutive gold Gloves! He was a near unanimous first ballot election to the Hall Of Fame. He was awarded to the All Century Team. He was honored as one of the four greatest living players to ever play the game. ***He was Rookie of the year....the list is endless.
Best power hitter in baseball? What is it about you Johnny Bench slappys??? Guess Hank Aaron was a bum. Guess Willie McCovey was a bum. Guess Willie Stargell was a bum. Guess Mike Schmidt was a bum. Won't even mention anyone in the AL, because you won't care anyway. Slappys never do.
Pete Zereeah I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with you. I saw him playin person and I used to imitate his batting stance when I was a kid. But he led the league in Rbi 3 times. In 1974 he led the NL in rbi with 129, on the strength of 33 homers. I don't mean to correct you, just alot of ppl forget about that. P. S. I have some moron arguing with me, saying that Yogi Berra was way better than him. Also, Lou Brock of the Cardinals, in 1974, stole 118 bases that year. And if I'm correct, he stole only 3 bases against the Reds all season. Great all around catcher.
For a couple of years he was the best power hitter, you know until they ripped open his ribs and chest with a saw and took a chunk of his lung. Something Aaron, McCovey, Stargell, or Schmidt never had to deal with. Oh by the way, while kneeling between at-bats. Won't even mention the fact that Bench also served in the army during his career, because you won't care anyway. I'll refrain from calling you names.
1983 was Bench's last season as a player, and his Reds were in town to play the Mets. He went 0-for-4 the next day, then banged out five hits in the next two games to raise his average to .343. (He would finish the season hitting .255.)
@@fifthbusiness1678 He slumped badly (.155) in June, and was basically used mostly as a pinch-hitter after that. (He did catch one final time, against the Astros in Cincinnati on September 17, getting his last-ever two-hit game.)
I just read Johnny's book, From Behind The Plate. A brief look into the life and style of Johnny Bench. It has some great advice about how to play catcher and some great jewels about life too.
We lived in San Diego from 1969 to 1972 amnd saw many games. Mostly Reds vs. Padres. Saw so many of the greats play there. It was a great time to be a young man and warching your heroes play ball. Mostly from the left field stands.
A Wesselman Mission: Impossible with Peter Graves and Martin Landau was one of my favorite shows when it was syndicated. I'd love to have seen the episode with Johnny Bench.
Nice little interview. Thanks Dave.As for who was best, Bench and Berra are almost dead even offensively as measured objectively - Bench's OPS+ was 126, Berra's was 125. Bench's arm, though, puts him over the top. He had possibly the best catcher's throwing arm in baseball and won ten gold gloves, eventually being named to the All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team. Berra certainly wasn't a bad defensive catcher, but he wasn't near Bench's standards. Any equivocating one might do on Berra's offense (bat control, clutch hitting, and so forth) isn't enough to move him past the high standard of the man from Binger. As Sparky Anderson said, "I don't want to embarrass any other catcher by comparing him to Johnny Bench." Indeed.
I found this video because of a podcast and holy hell a Don Zimmer reference! Still though Bench seems like a good guy who remembers things with a clarity that I envy.
The play that Bench discusses about George Foster's play from foul territory in left field is one of the most underrated plays in the history of baseball. If the Reds would have won game 6, it would have been talked about forever for saving that game at that point.
Someone needs to come up with a master list of greatest plays ever forgotten by history that were due to results like you mentioned. I remember Dave Henderson of the Boston Red Sox having one of the legendary post season's of all-time before the Mets rallied and one the series. Only hard core baseball fans remember Henderson. Also, there should be a list of people who should be goats, like Bob Stanley and Calvin Shiraldi, who choked way more than Bill Buckner ever did in that loss to the Mets.
I always had such a crush on Johnny Bench. He was 20 years old when I was born. But wow was he ever a handsome guy. His sparkly eyes and his big smile.
I always enjoyed the interviews where you could see Dave star-struck (for what that's worth). It was usually someone not in entertainment, but you could tell he was really into the interview
Early in Bench's career he was a beast offensively that earned him back to back MVP's. After the '72 season he had his chest ripped open to remove a growth on his lung. He was never quite the same offensively thereafter -- very good, not great, but still clutch. Bench said, "having one's chest opened does something to a person. I was not the same player after that.' Making no excuses for Bench, because he doesn't need any, his numbers would have been even better. If Bench batted .220 w/ 20 hr and 75 RBI per season he still would be the greatest catcher of alltime by virtue of his defensive prowess and the way he handled the pitching staff, IMHO. That's mute however, because he put up good offensive numbers all and all. Bench is the benchmark by which all catchers are measured.
@@DrGalazkiewicz - Bench played during a time when most infields had artificial turf, instead of dirt, in between the bases. Check out the old Riverfront Stadium field. Runners could get to second a lot faster running on turf. Bench still gunned them down. If he played today, he would probably throw out 80%.
Not a Reds fan, but Bench was the best catcher ever. If I had to assemble an All Star team from the 50 years I've been watching baseball, I'd have Bench catching, Eddie Murray at first, Joe Morgan at second, Mike Schmidt at third, Cal Ripken Jr. at short, Roberto Clemente in right, Willie Mays in center, Henry Aaron in left and if I could choose just one pitcher to win one game it would be Bob Gibson. Mariano Rivera would come in to close it out. By the way, if you're a closet transvestite, make a comment below and include the word "uncle".
Not only did he shut down base stealers at 2nd base, he had a wicked quick snap throw to first base from a crouch that was a laser that nabbed quite a few guys cheating off the bag.
Any chance I can make a request? I'd love to see the following (and any other Reds you might have, I think Piniella and Marge are out there already): 11/03/1988 - Chris Sabo 10/11/1991 - Pete Rose Thanks for all your posts!
probably so. I am not a big believer in the "steroid" had much to do with HR's in the late 90's. think it was the ball...little Brett Boone hit 42 one year. Bench did EVERYTHING right and I am partial to anything Big Red Machine...very biased.
Johnny Bench states how the sixth game of the 1975 World Series was bad for the Cincinnati Reds≥ For this die-hard Boston Red Sox fan it was one of the best games he ever saw, certainly right up there with Roger Clemens' first 20 strike out game and John Valentin's unassisted triple play game which I had the great fortune of being at Fenway Park for; If only Jim Rice didn't wasn't injured had could've played in the World Series the outcome, quite possibly, could've been different. Oh, well!
He talks like bull durham pitchers shaking off the signs was not as easy as it looks especially when u consider how many great players dont speak english real well....good stuff
Bench was a great catcher, no question. Arguably the best ever. BUT that said, I never understood WTF the big deal was with Bench holding 8 baseballs. So? He has big hands, who cares? Why was that such an accomplishment?
Catching is the most physically difficult day-in-and-day out position in baseball. Grueling to your knees, back, arm, etc. For games played he was a machine.
Berra was a superior hitter (combining avg. with power). As a catcher, tough to say which was better, between Bench and Berra. I would go with Berra, based on hitting (remember, Berra never struck out more than 38 times in a season, while Bench's low was 38, in his last season.........since their D was about the same, Berra is superior).
kyokogodai Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree. I give Berra his due . His 3 MVPs and his lifetime .285 BA deserves merit. But Bench was supernatural. I believe his 1970 MVP season of 45 hrs and 148 ribs is still a record for catchers. And in 72, he won his 2nd MVP, with 40 hrs and 125 rbi. In 1974,He led the league in rbi with 129 , on the strength of 33 hrs. He was a slugger, with a rocket arm that even Lou Brock thought about twice about stealing on him. Even in an injury riddled 76 season, he won the WS MVP, as the Reds swept a tough Thurman Munson led Yankee team. Truly dominant from 1968 to 1978. In the postseason, he took Dave Gusti deep to win the 1972 pennant, and homered off of HOF Tom Server in the 1973 playoffs. He hit the best pitchers in baseball when it counted. Berra was great, but Bench was in a class by himself.
Like Berra didn't hit the best pitchers in baseball in his era? Berra took Don Larson (all nine innings) in a perfect game, in the World Series!! Oh, and Yogi caught 3 no-hitters. Berra hit 2 HR off Don Newcombe in game 7 of the 1956 WS. He also hit the tying HR in game 6 (Yankees down 3 games to 2) in the 7th inning in 1952. As for Brock vs. Bench, Brock would steal on anyone. Brock did only steal 3 bases against Cincinnati during his 118 steal season. But those 3 came in two days but Bench did throw him out twice during the season (you did know box scores are available online, right?). As for 1976, that Reds team was far superior to that Yankees team, and it showed (the Reds out scoring the Yankees 22 to 8, with the Reds having 17 XBH-42 total hits and the Yankees 5 XBH-30 total hits). Berra was better, through and through.
kyokogodai Wow. Yogi Berra couldn't carry Johnny Benchs fu**in socks. R u 4 real.? Sparky Anderson said it best, " It's not fair to compare anyone to Bench " .
Nope, not even close... Piazza won 10 Silver Slugger awards and was a 12 time All Star, but he never won a Gold Glove, was a very average defensive catcher and never a MVP. Bench set the bar for all other catchers today to follow. Bench was a two-time MVP in 1970 and 1972, a World Series MVP in 1976, (when he closed the door on the sweep of Yankees with two home runs in Game 4), a 14 time All Star and a 10 time Gold Glove winner. Both Bench and Yogi Berra were voted to the All Century Team in 1999.
Piazza was the greattest hitting catcher of all time, but widely regarded as one of the worst defensive catcher of his era. If he played AL ball he would have been considered the greatest DH of all time. (With possible exception to edgar Martinez)
wasn't there a huge controversy about whether Piazza used steroids?? there were reports that he had horrendous acne on his back and during the season it was worse but "miraculously" improved in the off season
nice comment...especially since there have only been 205 career .300 hitters in the history of major league baseball...guys like you, if you even played, were striking out while bailing out of the box...
Mike Larimore...I think 46dc9er was meaning in a season. Bench did hit .300 once. In the strike season (1981), he hit .309 in 52 games. He only hit .280 or better 5 times, over 17 seasons. He wasn't a high average hitter, for sure. His power was great, for only 4 seasons (hitting 30+ home runs). The rest of the time he had good power (hitting 20+ HR 11 seasons). But his catching is what made him truly a HOF"er.
He didn't need to hit. 300 . In his 1st MVP season, 1970, he led the league in homers, 45, and rbis, 148 , and he hit. 293. He led the league in homers and rbis again in 72, when he won his 2nd MVP award. He also led the league in rbi in 1974, with 129, on the strength of 33 hrs. And led the Reds to 2 straight WS championships in 75 and 76. He didn't need to hit. 300. He did everything else. Best catcher ever. Bar none.
Adrian Garza If rose wanted in the HOF, he should have swallowed his pride and done what Bench said to do. Watch the Dan Patrick interview with Bench. He explains how.
Greatest all around catcher in MLB history!!!
class act and favorite player growing up as a reds fan from indy
I had the pleasure of seeing Johnny Bench play at the old Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.
So did I. My favorite MLB player. We share the same birthday.
Johnny Bench was great....I mean Great! He led the League in Hrs and runs batted in twice. He was the best power hitter in baseball. He was won 10 consecutive gold Gloves! He was a near unanimous first ballot election to the Hall Of Fame. He was awarded to the All Century Team. He was honored as one of the four greatest living players to ever play the game. ***He was Rookie of the year....the list is endless.
Best power hitter in baseball? What is it about you Johnny Bench slappys??? Guess Hank Aaron was a bum. Guess Willie McCovey was a bum. Guess Willie Stargell was a bum. Guess Mike Schmidt was a bum. Won't even mention anyone in the AL, because you won't care anyway. Slappys never do.
Pete Zereeah I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with you. I saw him playin person and I used to imitate his batting stance when I was a kid. But he led the league in Rbi 3 times. In 1974 he led the NL in rbi with 129, on the strength of 33 homers. I don't mean to correct you, just alot of ppl forget about that. P. S. I have some moron arguing with me, saying that Yogi Berra was way better than him. Also, Lou Brock of the Cardinals, in 1974, stole 118 bases that year. And if I'm correct, he stole only 3 bases against the Reds all season. Great all around catcher.
For a couple of years he was the best power hitter, you know until they ripped open his ribs and chest with a saw and took a chunk of his lung. Something Aaron, McCovey, Stargell, or Schmidt never had to deal with. Oh by the way, while kneeling between at-bats. Won't even mention the fact that Bench also served in the army during his career, because you won't care anyway. I'll refrain from calling you names.
Bench could catch with Berra in his back pocket
Childhood Idol
1983 was Bench's last season as a player, and his Reds were in town to play the Mets. He went 0-for-4 the next day, then banged out five hits in the next two games to raise his average to .343. (He would finish the season hitting .255.)
Guess he had a bad second half.
@@fifthbusiness1678 He slumped badly (.155) in June, and was basically used mostly as a pinch-hitter after that. (He did catch one final time, against the Astros in Cincinnati on September 17, getting his last-ever two-hit game.)
I just read Johnny's book, From Behind The Plate. A brief look into the life and style of Johnny Bench. It has some great advice about how to play catcher and some great jewels about life too.
There's not a better interview than Bench. He's ready for every question.
Like cat in a house
We lived in San Diego from 1969 to 1972 amnd saw many games. Mostly Reds vs. Padres. Saw so many of the greats play there. It was a great time to be a young man and warching your heroes play ball. Mostly from the left field stands.
Awesome interview. I never knew that Johnny Bench had such an amazing singing voice. Thanks for sharing.
Avacarho He actually was a decemt actor as well. .At least one role in "Mission: Impossible,' to his credit.
A Wesselman Mission: Impossible with Peter Graves and Martin Landau was one of my favorite shows when it was syndicated. I'd love to have seen the episode with Johnny Bench.
@@stephenstills2 He made a cameo appearance on an episode of The Partridge Family.
Professional athletes have come such a long way since then.....down!
Nice little interview. Thanks Dave.As for who was best, Bench and Berra are almost dead even offensively as measured objectively - Bench's OPS+ was 126, Berra's was 125. Bench's arm, though, puts him over the top. He had possibly the best catcher's throwing arm in baseball and won ten gold gloves, eventually being named to the All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team. Berra certainly wasn't a bad defensive catcher, but he wasn't near Bench's standards. Any equivocating one might do on Berra's offense (bat control, clutch hitting, and so forth) isn't enough to move him past the high standard of the man from Binger. As Sparky Anderson said, "I don't want to embarrass any other catcher by comparing him to Johnny Bench." Indeed.
I found this video because of a podcast and holy hell a Don Zimmer reference! Still though Bench seems like a good guy who remembers things with a clarity that I envy.
I didn't even know until recently that Bench had major surgery in 1973--had to open his chest!--and that impacted the rest of his career.
The greatest catcher ever!
I actually live a little over an hour from Binger. He's a big deal in our state for sure!
The play that Bench discusses about George Foster's play from foul territory in left field is one of the most underrated plays in the history of baseball. If the Reds would have won game 6, it would have been talked about forever for saving that game at that point.
Someone needs to come up with a master list of greatest plays ever forgotten by history that were due to results like you mentioned. I remember Dave Henderson of the Boston Red Sox having one of the legendary post season's of all-time before the Mets rallied and one the series. Only hard core baseball fans remember Henderson. Also, there should be a list of people who should be goats, like Bob Stanley and Calvin Shiraldi, who choked way more than Bill Buckner ever did in that loss to the Mets.
He's still only 35 here, it's like he was never young
I always had such a crush on Johnny Bench. He was 20 years old when I was born. But wow was he ever a handsome guy. His sparkly eyes and his big smile.
Cool to hear Dave know Marty and Joe and the local radio phrases obvious 700 wlw
I always enjoyed the interviews where you could see Dave star-struck (for what that's worth). It was usually someone not in entertainment, but you could tell he was really into the interview
deputay yes he grew up in that area
in this part of the country, IN OH KY Johnny Bench was pretty close to a super hero
love dave's hair at this point
as Dave became more popular..his demeanor changed
Seats in the end bumper photo were in 8H, the balcony near the sound board location.
Early in Bench's career he was a beast offensively that earned him back to back MVP's. After the '72 season he had his chest ripped open to remove a growth on his lung. He was never quite the same offensively thereafter -- very good, not great, but still clutch. Bench said, "having one's chest opened does something to a person. I was not the same player after that.' Making no excuses for Bench, because he doesn't need any, his numbers would have been even better.
If Bench batted .220 w/ 20 hr and 75 RBI per season he still would be the greatest catcher of alltime by virtue of his defensive prowess and the way he handled the pitching staff, IMHO. That's mute however, because he put up good offensive numbers all and all. Bench is the benchmark by which all catchers are measured.
Was as he ashame that that surgery and other injuries affected his final stats.
Imagine how great his offensive numbers would have been if he didn't have to spend every half-inning on his knees.
Never knew bench was such a great interview..watch the dan Patrick one....very funny guy
He did some TV color commentary for a few years and was very good but I guess he didn't like it...
Never saw a catcher just shut down another team's base stealing like Bench
Joseph Gibbons Pudge Rodriguez
I remember the Pirates, back in the mid-70's claiming they were going to "run all over Bench" in the NLCS, he mowed them down.
@@DrGalazkiewicz - Bench played during a time when most infields had artificial turf, instead of dirt, in between the bases. Check out the old Riverfront Stadium field. Runners could get to second a lot faster running on turf. Bench still gunned them down. If he played today, he would probably throw out 80%.
alan30189 true, good point
@@DrGalazkiewicz I take 1970a Johnny bench had a cannon for an arm plus hit for power
I miss old school ball players like Bench.
Those two had a natural rapport. Good interview.
Not a Reds fan, but Bench was the best catcher ever. If I had to assemble an All Star team from the 50 years I've been watching baseball, I'd have Bench catching, Eddie Murray at first, Joe Morgan at second, Mike Schmidt at third, Cal Ripken Jr. at short, Roberto Clemente in right, Willie Mays in center, Henry Aaron in left and if I could choose just one pitcher to win one game it would be Bob Gibson. Mariano Rivera would come in to close it out. By the way, if you're a closet transvestite, make a comment below and include the word "uncle".
wow and if my aunt had balls she would be my uncle
great one balljiz go ahead and pick any hall of famers at all positions mr obvious
That's a great team Baji, who would run on Clemente or Mays? LOL
@@nickajk1 lmao
@@zzremington henderson
Bench is THEE Greatest & that's that!!!!!!
he was in my book..
yogi Berra and bench were probably 2 best catchers ever
Molina
@Jake Seiber What are you smoking? Bench would be a star in any era.
Pudge and Molina
Carolton Fisk and Johnny Bench, GOATS, just my opinion.
Josh Gibson? But that's not an easy rabbithole to go down.
God bless Dave for acknowledging The ‘Hander!
Hard to steal second with Bench behind the plate.
Crazy that Tim and Tug McGraw look so much alike.
Already knew of him but BLUE EMI sent me here !
EMU*
Johnny Bench is Legendary 😀😊😊
Not only did he shut down base stealers at 2nd base, he had a wicked quick snap throw to first base from a crouch that was a laser that nabbed quite a few guys cheating off the bag.
Seen that. '71 playoffs against Pittsburgh. He picked off one of the Alou brothers.
What a Classic 👍👍
I like when he imitates Pedro Borbon 😅
JB was 23 years old in this interview.
Actually 35. Born December 7, 1947.
@@dongiller I was being a dink. His hair
Any chance I can make a request? I'd love to see the following (and any other Reds you might have, I think Piniella and Marge are out there already):
11/03/1988 - Chris Sabo
10/11/1991 - Pete Rose
Thanks for all your posts!
saw him play many times
i saw this wow i remember this
I can't imagine, sadly, any intelligent baseball discussion occurring on late night TV these days.
I can't imagine any intelligent conversation about ANYTHING on late night TV these days
Bench was pretty smooth with the ladies too . The ol boy couldn't keep it in the pants but hey why not
Pudge great defense...Piazza great bat. BENCH great at it ALL>
Plus, no suspected/alleged steroid use from former players unlike Pudge & Piazza.
probably so. I am not a big believer in the "steroid" had much to do with HR's in the late 90's. think it was the ball...little Brett Boone hit 42 one year. Bench did EVERYTHING right and I am partial to anything Big Red Machine...very biased.
Lol boone was juiced to the gills that year, read the canseco book
Yadi molina
Tom Yazel Pudge did both great
God made a catcher. Johnny Bench.
tim mcgraws dad pitching
Yes Johnny bench is a great catcher
3:02
DJ Big John Trimble in Virginia.
GOAT
Johnny Bench states how the sixth game of the 1975 World Series was bad for the Cincinnati Reds≥ For this die-hard Boston Red Sox fan it was one of the best games he ever saw, certainly right up there with Roger Clemens' first 20 strike out game and John Valentin's unassisted triple play game which I had the great fortune of being at Fenway Park for; If only Jim Rice didn't wasn't injured had could've played in the World Series the outcome, quite possibly, could've been different. Oh, well!
one of my two favorite sports heros of all time. but unlike 'injun' joe kapp of the minnesota vikings, bench won 2 rings
good normal guy
Johnny Bench called
Bench is wrong, when a pitcher gets tired, his body drags, so to speak. A pitcher wants his arm to drag.
Johnny Bench had hair before, but no more.
It's called getting older.
@@captainedc Johnny Bench may have a grandfather on his mother's side that was probably bald.
He talks like bull durham pitchers shaking off the signs was not as easy as it looks especially when u consider how many great players dont speak english real well....good stuff
kinda awkward at 9:00 lol
Bench was a great catcher, no question. Arguably the best ever. BUT that said, I never understood WTF the big deal was with Bench holding 8 baseballs. So? He has big hands, who cares? Why was that such an accomplishment?
Who else can do that?
@@dongiller Who gives a shit?
Cuz you're simple minded and have dainty little girl hands
@@PlayerToBeNamedLater1973 Whatever makes you feel better dude
@@stevewyche5232 you having girl hands doesn't make me feel better.
36C, 😆
Bench got old quick. He was great for a few years, then fell off the charts quickly.
sparky admits to using johnny too much and he burnt him out
I had no idea.
heard it many times you can look it up
The numbers still kick ass for that position
Catching is the most physically difficult day-in-and-day out position in baseball. Grueling to your knees, back, arm, etc. For games played he was a machine.
Berra was a superior hitter (combining avg. with power). As a catcher, tough to say which was better, between Bench and Berra. I would go with Berra, based on hitting (remember, Berra never struck out more than 38 times in a season, while Bench's low was 38, in his last season.........since their D was about the same, Berra is superior).
kyokogodai Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree. I give Berra his due . His 3 MVPs and his lifetime .285 BA deserves merit. But Bench was supernatural. I believe his 1970 MVP season of 45 hrs and 148 ribs is still a record for catchers. And in 72, he won his 2nd MVP, with 40 hrs and 125 rbi. In 1974,He led the league in rbi with 129 , on the strength of 33 hrs. He was a slugger, with a rocket arm that even Lou Brock thought about twice about stealing on him. Even in an injury riddled 76 season, he won the WS MVP, as the Reds swept a tough Thurman Munson led Yankee team. Truly dominant from 1968 to 1978. In the postseason, he took Dave Gusti deep to win the 1972 pennant, and homered off of HOF Tom Server in the 1973 playoffs. He hit the best pitchers in baseball when it counted. Berra was great, but Bench was in a class by himself.
Like Berra didn't hit the best pitchers in baseball in his era? Berra took Don Larson (all nine innings) in a perfect game, in the World Series!! Oh, and Yogi caught 3 no-hitters. Berra hit 2 HR off Don Newcombe in game 7 of the 1956 WS. He also hit the tying HR in game 6 (Yankees down 3 games to 2) in the 7th inning in 1952. As for Brock vs. Bench, Brock would steal on anyone. Brock did only steal 3 bases against Cincinnati during his 118 steal season. But those 3 came in two days but Bench did throw him out twice during the season (you did know box scores are available online, right?). As for 1976, that Reds team was far superior to that Yankees team, and it showed (the Reds out scoring the Yankees 22 to 8, with the Reds having 17 XBH-42 total hits and the Yankees 5 XBH-30 total hits). Berra was better, through and through.
kyokogodai Wow. Yogi Berra couldn't carry Johnny Benchs fu**in socks. R u 4 real.? Sparky Anderson said it best, " It's not fair to compare anyone to Bench " .
And yes, the 1976 Reds were far superior to the Yankees, because of Johnny Bench.
hey michael semmi jr...wow is right.....what a freak.
Piazza is the best catcher ever.
Nope, not even close... Piazza won 10 Silver Slugger awards and was a 12 time All Star, but he never won a Gold Glove, was a very average defensive catcher and never a MVP.
Bench set the bar for all other catchers today to follow. Bench was a two-time MVP in 1970 and 1972, a World Series MVP in 1976, (when he closed the door on the sweep of Yankees with two home runs in Game 4), a 14 time All Star and a 10 time Gold Glove winner. Both Bench and Yogi Berra were voted to the All Century Team in 1999.
Piazza was the greattest hitting catcher of all time, but widely regarded as one of the worst defensive catcher of his era. If he played AL ball he would have been considered the greatest DH of all time. (With possible exception to edgar Martinez)
Brett Vogel yeah...he's a catcher all right.
Thanks for the laugh Bud!!
wasn't there a huge controversy about whether Piazza used steroids?? there were reports that he had horrendous acne on his back and during the season it was worse but "miraculously" improved in the off season
the man could not bat 300 if his life depended on it !
In what sort of bizarre world does a man's life depend on hitting .300???
He could but wanted to hit homers. Hit .293 in 1969 and 1970. But once lost muscles due to an operation in 1972, he could only hit homers.
nice comment...especially since there have only been 205 career .300 hitters in the history of major league baseball...guys like you, if you even played, were striking out while bailing out of the box...
Mike Larimore...I think 46dc9er was meaning in a season. Bench did hit .300 once. In the strike season (1981), he hit .309 in 52 games. He only hit .280 or better 5 times, over 17 seasons. He wasn't a high average hitter, for sure. His power was great, for only 4 seasons (hitting 30+ home runs). The rest of the time he had good power (hitting 20+ HR 11 seasons). But his catching is what made him truly a HOF"er.
He didn't need to hit. 300 . In his 1st MVP season, 1970, he led the league in homers, 45, and rbis, 148 , and he hit. 293. He led the league in homers and rbis again in 72, when he won his 2nd MVP award. He also led the league in rbi in 1974, with 129, on the strength of 33 hrs. And led the Reds to 2 straight WS championships in 75 and 76. He didn't need to hit. 300. He did everything else. Best catcher ever. Bar none.
Johnny is one of the best period " johnny pete rose belongs in hof period " he was better then you
Adrian Garza If rose wanted in the HOF, he should have swallowed his pride and done what Bench said to do. Watch the Dan Patrick interview with Bench. He explains how.