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Bench, Johnny
Johnny Lee Bench
Born:
December 7, 1947, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Bats:
Right
Throws:
Right
Played For:
Cincinnati Reds (1967-1983)
Elected to the Hall of Fame by Baseball Writers:
1989
Biography:
As one of the most impressive defensive catchers, Johnny Bench was also considered to be an outstanding hitter. A durable catcher, noted for his excellent baseball intelligence, Bench won 10 Gold Glove Awards, two Most Valuable Player Awards and the Rookie of the Year Award during his 17-year National League career. A skilled hitter, the 14-time All-Star selection belted 389 home runs and led the league in RBIs three times as a leader of the Big Red Machine teams of the 1970s.
Click here to see additional information provided by Baseball-Reference
Did You Know:
that Johnny Bench was a pioneer of the one-handed style of catching prevalent today, and was the first backstop to wear a protective helmet while behind the plate?
Every time Bench throws, everybody in baseball drools.
Harry Dalton
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This Day in Baseball History
On May 25, 1989, the Seattle Mariners trade star pitcher Mark Langston and a player to be named later to the Montreal Expos for three young pitchers. One of them is six-foot, 10-inch left-hander Randy Johnson, who will become the Mariners’ ace and one of the top pitchers in baseball.