Editing Johnny Bench (section)

===1970s===
In 1970, Bench had his finest [[Baseball statistics|statistical]] season. At age 22, he became the youngest player to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award. He hit .293, led the National League with 45 [[home run]]s and a franchise-record 148 [[runs batted in]] as the Reds won the NL West Division.<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/><ref name="http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com"/><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1970.shtml#NLmvp|title=1970 Awards Voting|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=February 22, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222234500/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1970.shtml#NLmvp|url-status=live}}</ref> The Reds swept the [[1970 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]] in the [[1970 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]], but lost to the [[1970 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]] in five games in the [[1970 World Series|World Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1970_NLCS.shtml|title=1970 NLCS - Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates (3-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622221033/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1970_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1970_WS.shtml|title=1970 World Series - Baltimore Orioles over Cincinnati Reds (4-1)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808163845/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1970_WS.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Johnny Bench - Cincinnati Reds.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Bench in 1977]]
Bench had another strong year in [[1972 Cincinnati Reds season|1972]], winning the MVP Award for a second time. He led the National League in home runs (40) and RBI (125) to help propel the Reds to another National League West Division title and won the [[1972 National League Championship Series|NL pennant]] in the deciding fifth game over the [[1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1972.shtml#NLmvp|title=1972 Awards Voting|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 31, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831104032/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1972.shtml#NLmvp|url-status=live}}</ref> One of his more dramatic home runs<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_lcs.jsp?feature=this_day |title=League Championship Series Overview &#124; Major League Baseball: History |publisher=Major League Baseball |date=May 24, 2013 |access-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927235202/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/postseason/mlb_lcs.jsp?feature=this_day |url-status=live }}</ref> was likely his ninth-[[inning]], [[lead off]], [[opposite field]] home run in that fifth NLCS game.<ref name="Johnny Bench: Number 1 Home Run Hitter of All Catchers">{{cite web
|url=https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/benchs-homer-propels-reds-to-1972-world-series
|author1=Muder, Craig
|title=Bench's homer helps push Reds into 1972 World Series
|website=National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|access-date=June 1, 2016
|archive-date=May 25, 2019
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525215457/https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/benchs-homer-propels-reds-to-1972-world-series
|url-status=live
}}</ref> The solo shot tied the game at three; the Reds won later in the inning on a wild pitch, 4–3.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197210110.shtml|title=October 11, 1972 National League Championship Series (NLCS) Game 5, Pirates at Reds|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=November 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104053433/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197210110.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1972_NLCS.shtml|title=1972 NLCS - Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates (3-2)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622221033/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1972_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> It was hailed after the game as "one of the great [[Clutch hitter|clutch]] home runs of all time."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=c61a5e96-6143-48a2-9557-575f50fabea9 |title=GC1GQAB FP Series No. 226 – Johnny Bench (Traditional Cache) in Texas, United States created by drives |publisher=Geocaching.com |access-date=September 24, 2013}}</ref> However, the Reds lost the [[1972 World Series|World Series]] to a strong [[1972 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] team in seven games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1972_WS.shtml|title=1972 World Series - Oakland Athletics over Cincinnati Reds (4-3)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=November 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130235309/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1972_WS.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the 1972 season, Bench underwent surgery to remove a lesion from his lung, out of concern that it might be cancerous.<ref name=bsgsmo>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3lNYAAAAIBAJ&pg=5741%2C6809684 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=UPI |title=Bench surgery goes smoothly |date=December 11, 1972 |page=12 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001853/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3lNYAAAAIBAJ&pg=5741,6809684 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=bsbrdy>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O_dOAAAAIBAJ&pg=1631%2C6082770 |work=Toledo Blade |location=(Ohio) |agency=Associated Press |title=Bench should be ready |date=December 12, 1972 |page=41 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827200249/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=O_dOAAAAIBAJ&pg=1631%2C6082770 |url-status=live }}</ref> The lesion would prove to be benign however, Bench stated in an interview that he was never the same player after the surgery. “They cut the ribs, they cut the bones, they cut the nerves, and so I never was the same player afterwards.”<ref>{{cite news |last1=Habib |first1=Hal |title=Bench Mark |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/mlb/2018/11/17/mlb-hall-of-famer-johnny-bench-living-in-palm-beach-gardens-with-his-family/8343896007/ |accessdate=9 September 2023 |newspaper=[[Palm Beach Post]] |date=17 November 2018 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119191323/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/sports/mlb/2018/11/17/mlb-hall-of-famer-johnny-bench-living-in-palm-beach-gardens-with-his-family/8343896007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He remained productive, but never again hit 40 home runs in a season.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fay |first1=John |title=Cincinnati Reds All-Time team: Johnny Bench was incomparable at catcher |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2020/04/04/cincinnati-reds-all-time-team-johnny-bench-incomparable-catcher/2947677001/ |accessdate=9 September 2023 |newspaper=[[Cincinnati Enquirer]] |date=4 April 2020 |archive-date=November 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119191320/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2020/04/04/cincinnati-reds-all-time-team-johnny-bench-incomparable-catcher/2947677001/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[1973 Cincinnati Reds season|1973]], Bench hit 25 home runs and 104 RBI and helped the Reds rally from a 10{{frac|1|2}}-game deficit to the [[1973 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] in early July to lead the majors with 99 wins and claim another NL West Division crown. In the [[1973 National League Championship Series|NLCS]], Cincinnati met a [[1973 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] team that won the NL East with an unimpressive {{nowrap|{{winning percentage|82|79|record=y}}}} record, 16{{frac|1|2}} games behind the Reds. The Mets boasted three of the better starting pitchers in the NL, future Hall of Famer [[Tom Seaver]], [[Jerry Koosman]], and [[Jon Matlack]]. Bench's bottom of the ninth-inning home run off Seaver in the first game propelled the Reds to victory, but Seaver would get the best of the Reds and Bench in the deciding Game 5, winning {{nowrap|7–2}} to put the Mets into the [[1973 World Series|World Series]] against the [[1973 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland A's]].<ref name=ommrfm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0AJPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7275%2C5131692 |work=Toledo Blade |location=(Ohio) |agency=Associated Press |title=One more 'miracle' remaining for Mets |date=October 11, 1973 |page=29 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827201158/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0AJPAAAAIBAJ&pg=7275%2C5131692 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1973.shtml 1973 National League Team Statistics and Standings] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604143958/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1973.shtml |date=June 4, 2023 }} won the series in five games win advance to the World Series against the Oakland A's.</ref>

In [[1974 Cincinnati Reds season|1974]], Bench led the league with 129 RBI and scored 108 runs, becoming only the fourth catcher in major league history with 100 or more runs and RBI in the same season. The Reds won the second-most games in the majors (98) but lost the West Division to the [[1974 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1974-standings.shtml#all_standings_W|title=1974 NL West Standings|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515214259/http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1974-standings.shtml#all_standings_W|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[1975 Cincinnati Reds season|1975]], the Reds finally broke through in the post season. Bench contributed 28 home runs and 110 RBI.<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1975.shtml|title=1975 National League Season Summary|website=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=April 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429051329/http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1975.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Big Red Machine Rates Among Best Ever; Balance of Offense, Defense made '75 Cincinnati Team So Great |author=Peterson, Bill |work=Rocky Mountain News |publisher=Scripps Howard News Service |date=April 23, 1995}}</ref> Cincinnati swept the [[1975 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pirates]] in three games to win the [[1975 National League Championship Series|NLCS]], and defeated the [[1975 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] in a memorable seven-game [[1975 World Series|World Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_NLCS.shtml|title=1975 NLCS - Cincinnati Reds over Pittsburgh Pirates (3-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622221033/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_WS.shtml|title=1975 World Series - Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox (4-3)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326231157/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1975_WS.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/worldseries/1975.html|title=Sporting News – NFL – NCAA – NBA – MLB – NASCAR – UFC – WWE|access-date=June 1, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611083540/http://www.sportingnews.com/archives/worldseries/1975.html|archive-date=June 11, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:Johnny Bench circa 1980 CROP.jpg|thumb|185px|Bench circa 1980]]
Bench struggled with ailing shoulders in [[1976 Cincinnati Reds season|1976]],
<ref name=msebr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=No5QAAAAIBAJ&pg=7177,1659437 |newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel |agency=Associated Press |title=Mom sees early Bench retirement |date=August 11, 1976 |page=5-part 2 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and had one of his least productive years, with only 16 home runs and 74 RBI. He finished with an excellent postseason, starting with a 4-for-12 (.333) performance in the [[1976 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] sweep over the [[1976 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1976_NLCS.shtml|title=1976 NLCS - Cincinnati Reds over Philadelphia Phillies (3-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326163802/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1976_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[1976 World Series|World Series]] provided a head-to-head match-up with the [[1976 New York Yankees season|Yankees]]' all-star catcher, [[Thurman Munson]]. Bench rose to the occasion, hitting .533 with two home runs, while Munson also hit well, with a .529 average.<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/><ref name="Johnny Bench at The Baseball Library"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/munsoth01.shtml#batting_postseason|title=Thurman Munson Statistics and History|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628090518/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/munsoth01.shtml#batting_postseason|url-status=live}}</ref> The Reds won in a four-game sweep and Bench was named the Series' [[World Series Most Valuable Player Award|MVP]].<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1976_WS.shtml|title=1976 World Series - Cincinnati Reds over New York Yankees (4-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=November 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130235324/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1976_WS.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/postmvp.shtml|title=MLB Postseason World Series MVP Awards & All-Star Game MVP Award Winners|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315125838/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/postmvp.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> At the post-World Series press conference, Reds [[Manager (baseball)|manager]] [[Sparky Anderson]] was asked by a journalist to compare Munson with his catcher. Anderson replied, "I don't want to embarrass any other catcher by comparing him to Johnny Bench."<ref>
''All Roads Lead to October'' (chapter 10) by Maury Allen, St. Martin's Press 2000 {{ISBN|0-312-26175-6}}</ref> Bench bounced back in [[1977 Cincinnati Reds season|1977]] to hit 31 home runs and 109 RBI but the [[1977 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]] won two straight NL pennants. The Reds reached the postseason just once more in his career, in [[1979 Cincinnati Reds season|1979]], but were swept in three straight in the [[1979 National League Championship Series|NLCS]] by the [[1979 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1979_NLCS.shtml|title=1979 NLCS - Pittsburgh Pirates over Cincinnati Reds (3-0)|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622221033/https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1979_NLCS.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>