Editing Johnny Bench

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1947)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| image       = Johnny Bench Press Photo.jpg
| caption     = Bench {{c.|1972}}
| name        = Johnny Bench
| position    = [[Catcher]] 
| bats        = Right
| throws      = Right
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1947|12|7}}
| birth_place = [[Oklahoma City|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = August 28
| debutyear   = 1967
| debutteam   = Cincinnati Reds
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate   = September 29
| finalyear   = 1983
| finalteam   = Cincinnati Reds
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat1value  = .267
| stat2label  = [[Hit (baseball)|Hits]]
| stat2value  = 2,048
| stat3label  = [[Home run]]s
| stat3value  = 389
| stat4label  = [[Runs batted in]]
| stat4value  = 1,376
| teams       =
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1967}}–{{mlby|1983}})
| highlights  =
* 14× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1968 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1968]]–[[1980 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1980]], [[1983 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1983]])
* 2× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1975}}, {{wsy|1976}})
* 2× [[NL MVP]] (1970, 1972)
* [[World Series MVP]] (1976)
* [[NL Rookie of the Year]] (1968)
* 10× [[Gold Glove Award]] (1968–1977)
* 2× [[List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders|NL home run leader]] (1970, 1972)
* 3× [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders|NL RBI leader]] (1970, 1972, 1974)
* [[Cincinnati Reds#Retired numbers|Cincinnati Reds No. 5]] retired
* [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum|Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]]
* [[Major League Baseball All-Century Team]]
* [[Major League Baseball All-Time Team]]
|hoflink = National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
|hoftype = National
| hofdate     = [[1989 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting|1989]]
| hofvote     = 96.4% (first ballot)
}}

'''Johnny Lee Bench''' (born December 7, 1947) is an American former professional [[baseball]] player. He played his entire [[Major League Baseball]] career, which lasted from {{Baseball year|1967}} to {{Baseball year|1983}}, with the [[Cincinnati Reds]], primarily as a [[catcher]].<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/benchjo01.shtml|title=Johnny Bench Statistics and History|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=January 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104102024/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/benchjo01.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=benchjo01|title=Johnny Bench Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 5, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110805001951/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=benchjo01|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/Players/B/Johnny-Bench.shtml|title=Johnny Bench Baseball Statistics [1965–1983]|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=December 20, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220170944/http://thebaseballcube.com/players/B/Johnny-Bench.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> Bench was the leader of the Reds team known as the [[Big Red Machine]] that dominated the National League in the mid-1970s, winning six division titles, four [[List of National League pennant winners|National League pennants]] and two [[World Series]] championships.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com">{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame/alumni/directory#b-content |title=Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com |work=Major League Baseball |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819092836/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/hof/hof/directory.jsp?hof_id=111227#b-content |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20070820095625/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/johnny-bench-hof.htm Johnny Bench] How Stuff Works.</ref><ref name="Johnny Bench at The Baseball Library">{{cite web|url=https://baseballbiography.com/johnny-bench-1947|title=Johnny Bench|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=December 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201211322/https://baseballbiography.com/johnny-bench-1947/|url-status=live}}</ref>

A fourteen-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] and a two-time National League Most Valuable Player, Bench excelled on offense as well as on defense, twice leading the National League in home runs and three times in runs batted in.<ref name="Johnny Bench at the Baseball Hall of Fame">{{cite web |url=https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/bench-johnny |title=Johnny Bench at the Baseball Hall of Fame |publisher=Baseball Hall of Fame |access-date=19 May 2020 |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515025403/https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/bench-johnny |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time of his retirement in 1983, he held the major league record for most home runs hit by a catcher.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com"/> He was also the first catcher in history to lead the league in home runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://redlegnation.com/2009/06/14/johnny-bench-and-the-triple-crown/|title=Johnny Bench and the Triple Crown|publisher=Red Leg Nation|date=June 14, 2009|access-date=May 28, 2020|archive-date=November 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127084413/https://www.redlegnation.com/2009/06/14/johnny-bench-and-the-triple-crown/|url-status=live}}</ref> He hit 45 home runs in 1970, which was a single-season record for catchers until [[Salvador Perez]] hit 48 in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/most-home-runs-by-a-catcher/|title=Most home runs by a catcher in a season|publisher=Major League Baseball|date=September 29, 2021|access-date=January 1, 2022|archive-date=January 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101155609/https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/most-home-runs-by-a-catcher.html/|url-status=live}}</ref> His 389 home runs and 1,376 runs batted in remain the most in Cincinnati Reds history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/leaders_bat.shtml|title=Cincinnati Reds Top 10 Career Batting Leaders|website=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]|accessdate=March 18, 2022|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128131126/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/leaders_bat.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

On defense, Bench was a ten-time [[Gold Glove Award]] winner who skillfully handled pitching staffs and possessed a strong, accurate throwing arm.<ref name="Johnny Bench at the Baseball Hall of Fame"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-best-fielders-of-the-1970s/|first=Jerry|last=Gregory|title=The Best Fielders of the 1970s|work=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]|access-date=November 27, 2023|archive-date=November 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126180224/https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-best-fielders-of-the-1970s/|url-status=live}}</ref> He caught 100 or more games for 13 consecutive seasons.<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com"/> In 1986, Bench was inducted into the [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]].<ref name="Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com"/> He was inducted into the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 1989 in his first year of eligibility.<ref name="Johnny Bench at the Baseball Hall of Fame"/> [[ESPN]] has called him the greatest catcher in baseball history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Bench_Johnny.html|title=ESPN Classic – Baseball's greatest catcher|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609003205/http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Bench_Johnny.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born and raised in [[Oklahoma]], Bench is one-eighth [[Choctaw]]; he played baseball and [[basketball]] and was class [[valedictorian]] at Binger-Oney High School {{nowrap|in [[Binger, Oklahoma|Binger]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1082237/2/index.htm | work=CNN | title=Video | date=March 31, 1969 | access-date=August 5, 2010 | archive-date=November 2, 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102222424/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1082237/2/index.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref>}} His father told him that the fastest route to becoming a major leaguer was as a catcher.

==Professional career==
===Draft and minor leagues===
As a 17-year-old, the [[Cincinnati Reds]] selected Bench in the second round, 36th overall, of the [[1965 Major League Baseball draft|1965 amateur draft]]. He played for the minor-league [[Buffalo Bisons (1886–1970)|Buffalo Bisons]] in the 1966 and 1967 seasons. During the 1967 season, he hit a [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] against [[Jim Palmer]], who would go on to never allow a grand slam again in 19 years in the Major Leagues.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Palmer|first1=Jim|last2=Dale|first2=Jim|title=Palmer and Weaver: Together We Were Eleven Foot Nine|year=1996|publisher=Andrews and McMeel|location=Kansas City|isbn=0-8362-0781-5|pages=14–15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.680thefan.com/2018/07/12/55-jim-palmer-a-pitcher-who-never-gave-up-a-grand-slam/|title=#55: Jim Palmer – A Pitcher who NEVER Gave up a Grand Slam|work=AM 680|date=July 12, 2018|access-date=December 5, 2020|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227193618/https://www.680thefan.com/2018/07/12/55-jim-palmer-a-pitcher-who-never-gave-up-a-grand-slam/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cincinnati Reds (1967–1983)===
Bench was called up to the Reds in August 1967.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/draft/1965/Round-2-1.shtml|title=Amateur Baseball Draft – The Baseball Cube|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=July 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100731030536/http://www.thebaseballcube.com/draft/1965/Round-2-1.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> He hit only [[batting average (baseball)|.163]], but impressed many people with his defense and strong throwing arm, among them [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Famer]] [[Ted Williams]]. Williams signed a baseball for him and predicted that the young catcher would be a "Hall of Famer for sure!"<ref name="Johnny Bench at The Baseball Library"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/articles/johnny-bench-memorabilia-buying-guide |title=Johnny Bench Memorabilia Buying Guide &#124; Autographed Sports Memorabilia and Sports Collectibles at Sports Memorabilia |publisher=Sportsmemorabilia.com |access-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928181051/http://www.sportsmemorabilia.com/articles/johnny-bench-memorabilia-buying-guide |url-status=dead }}</ref> Williams' prophecy became fact 22 years later in 1989 when Bench was elected to Cooperstown.

During a [[1968 Cincinnati Reds season|1968]] [[spring training]] game, Bench was catching [[right handedness|right-hander]] [[Jim Maloney]], an eight-year veteran. Maloney was once a hard thrower, but injuries had dramatically reduced the speed of his fastball. Maloney nevertheless insisted on repeatedly "shaking off" his younger catcher by throwing fastballs instead of the [[breaking ball]]s that Bench had called for. When an exasperated Bench bluntly told Maloney, "Your fastball's not popping," Maloney replied with an epithet. To prove to Maloney that his fastball was no longer effective, Bench called for a fastball, and after Maloney released the ball, Bench dropped his catcher's mitt and caught the fastball barehanded.<ref name="http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/fastest-pitcher-in-baseball.shtml |title=Fastest Pitcher in Baseball by Baseball Almanac |publisher=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=September 24, 2013 |archive-date=August 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812080555/http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/fastest-pitcher-in-baseball.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Bench was the Reds' catcher on April 30, [[1969 Cincinnati Reds season|1969]], when Maloney pitched a [[no hitter]] against the {{nowrap|[[1969 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]].<ref name=tnhsbm>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fcZOAAAAIBAJ&pg=6986%2C2830643 |work=Toledo Blade |location=(Ohio) |agency=Associated Press |title=Third no-hitter spun by Maloney |date=May 1, 1969 |page=42 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416002539/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=fcZOAAAAIBAJ&pg=6986%2C2830643 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=nohstpt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r0tSAAAAIBAJ&pg=7124%2C429253 |work=St. Petersburg Times |location=(Florida) |agency=Associated Press |title=Reds' Jim Maloney pitches no-hitter |date=May 1, 1969 |page=1C |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001853/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=r0tSAAAAIBAJ&pg=7124,429253 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196904300.shtml|title=April 30, 1969 Houston Astros at Cincinnati Reds Box Score and Play by Play|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804120527/http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN196904300.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

In 1968, the 20-year-old Bench impressed many in his first {{nowrap|full season;<ref name=rcpr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XbdWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2327%2C2392877 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Rookie Catcher Praised |date=July 23, 1968 |page=10 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001852/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XbdWAAAAIBAJ&pg=2327,2392877 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} he won the National League [[MLB Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year Award]], batting .275 with 15 home runs and 82 RBIs. This marked the first time that the award had been won by a catcher.<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/awards/awards_1968.shtml#NLroy|title=1968 Awards Voting|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 30, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330112109/http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1968.shtml#NLroy|url-status=live}}</ref> He also won the 1968 National League [[Gold Glove Award]] for catchers, which was the first time that the award had been won by a rookie.<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#1968|title=MLB National League Gold Glove Award Winners|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528001941/https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#1968|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PSACards">{{cite web|url=https://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/baseball-cards/1968-topps/reds-rookies-johnny-bench-ron-tompkins-247/31850|title=Reds Rookies (Johnny Bench/Ron Tompkins) – 1968 Topps|website=PSA|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522112825/http://www.psacard.com/cardfacts/baseball-cards/1968-topps/reds-rookies-johnny-bench-ron-tompkins-247/31850/|url-status=live}}</ref> He made 102 [[Assist (baseball)|assists]] in 1968, which marked the first time in 23 years that a catcher had more than 100 assists in a season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/A_c_progress.shtml|title=Progressive Leaders & Records for Assists as C|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160621063805/http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/A_c_progress.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> During the [[Vietnam War]], Bench served in the [[United States Army Reserve]] as a member of the [[Engineer Combat Battalion|478th Engineer Battalion]], which was based across the [[Ohio River]] from Cincinnati at [[Fort Thomas, Kentucky]]. This unit included several of his teammates, among them [[Pete Rose]], [[Bobby Tolan]] and [[Darrel Chaney]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Gavin |first=Lapaille |date=July 24, 2014 |title=Charlie Hustle: As Rose Sported Red, He Marched in Army Green |url=https://www.army.mil/article/130526/Charlie_Hustle__as_Rose_sported_red__he_marched_in_Army_green/ |newspaper=army.mil |location=Arlington, Virginia |access-date=February 4, 2015 |archive-date=February 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205010458/http://www.army.mil/article/130526/Charlie_Hustle__as_Rose_sported_red__he_marched_in_Army_green/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="defense">[https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2727094/sports-heroes-who-served-star-baseball-catcher-johnny-bench-was-a-soldier/ Sports Heroes Who Served: Star Baseball Catcher Johnny Bench Was a Soldier] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807170126/https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2727094/sports-heroes-who-served-star-baseball-catcher-johnny-bench-was-a-soldier/ |date=August 7, 2022 }} [[United States Department of Defense]]. Retrieved August 7, 2022.</ref> In the winter of 1970–1971 he was part of [[Bob Hope]]'s [[United Service Organizations|USO]] Tour of [[Vietnam War|Vietnam]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Cook |first=William A. |date=2012 |title=Big Klu: The Baseball Life of Ted Kluszewski |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JFUgLGv6RnIC&pg=PA144 |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |publisher=McFarland |page=144 |isbn=978-0-7864-6999-4}}</ref>

===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>

===1980s===
For the last three seasons of his career, Bench moved out from behind the plate, catching only 13 games, while primarily becoming a corner infielder (first or third base). The Cincinnati Reds proclaimed Saturday, September 17, [[1983 Cincinnati Reds season|1983]], "Johnny Bench Night" at [[Riverfront Stadium (Cincinnati)|Riverfront Stadium]], in which he hit his 389th and final home run, a line drive to left in the third inning, before a record crowd.<ref name=obsn83>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qflVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6855%2C4847428|newspaper=Eugene Register-Guard|agency=wire services|title=On Bench's special night, Houston spoils finish 4–3|date=September 18, 1983|page=7C|access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-date=August 29, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001855/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=qflVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6855,4847428|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198309170.shtml|title=September 17, 1983 Houston Astros at Cincinnati Reds Box Score and Play by Play|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=August 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804124623/http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN198309170.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> He retired at the end of the season at age 35.

==MLB career statistics==
{{MLBBioRet
|Image  = CincinnatiReds5.png
|Name   = Johnny Bench
|Number = 5
|Team   = Cincinnati Reds
|Year   = 1984
|}}
Bench had 2,048 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] for a .267 career batting average with 389 [[home run]]s and 1,376 RBI during his 17-year Major League career, all spent with the Reds.<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/> He retired as the career home run leader for catchers, a record which stood until surpassed by [[Carlton Fisk]] and the current record holder, [[Mike Piazza]].<ref name="Johnny Bench: Number 1 Home Run Hitter of All Catchers"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/careerld.htm|title=Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers Career Batting Leaders|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200708/http://members.tripod.com/bb_catchers/catchers/careerld.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Bench still holds the Major League record for the most [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] home runs by a catcher, with 10.<ref>{{cite web|title=McCann and Bench|url=http://espn.go.com/espn/elias|work=ESPN|access-date=June 24, 2013|archive-date=July 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160725190252/http://espn.go.com/espn/elias|url-status=dead}}</ref> In his career, Bench earned 10 [[Gold Gloves]], was named to the National League [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team 14 times, and won two Most Valuable Player Awards.<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#multi|title=MLB National League Gold Glove Award Winners|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528001941/https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml#multi|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1"/> He led the National League three times in [[caught stealing]] percentage and ended his career with a .990 [[fielding percentage]] at catcher and an overall .987 fielding percentage.<ref name="Johnny Bench career statistics at Baseball Reference"/> He caught 118 [[shutouts in baseball|shutouts]] during his career, ranking him 12th all-time among major league catchers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bb_catchers.tripod.com/catchers/tmonth1.htm |title=The Encyclopedia of Catchers – Trivia December 2010 – Career Shutouts Caught |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers |access-date=December 29, 2015 |archive-date=August 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820234857/http://bb_catchers.tripod.com/catchers/tmonth1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Bench also won such awards as the [[Lou Gehrig]] Award (1975), the [[Babe Ruth]] Award (1976), and the [[Hutch Award]] (1981).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hutch_gehrig_ruth_clemente.shtml|title=MLB The Hutch Award, Lou Gehrig Award, Babe Ruth Award & Roberto Clemente Award Winners|work=Baseball Reference|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531135759/https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hutch_gehrig_ruth_clemente.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Bench popularized the hinged [[Baseball glove#Varieties|catcher's mitt]], first introduced by [[Randy Hundley]] of the [[Chicago Cubs]].<ref name="Johnny Bench at The Baseball Library"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://baseballbiography.com/randy-hundley-1942|title=Randy Hundley|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=March 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331005334/https://baseballbiography.com/randy-hundley-1942/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Are Catchers Today As Good Defensively As In The Past?">{{cite web|url=https://sabr.org/research/evolution-catchers-equipment|title=The Evolution of Catcher's Equipment|author1=Rosciam, Chuck|website=SABR|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=May 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526003333/https://sabr.org/research/evolution-catchers-equipment|url-status=live}}</ref> He began using the mitt after a stint on the disabled list in [[1966 Cincinnati Reds season|1966]] for a thumb injury on his throwing hand. The mitt allowed Bench to tuck his throwing arm safely to the side when receiving the pitch.<ref name="http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com"/> By the turn of the decade, the hinged mitt became standard catchers' equipment. Having huge hands (a famous photograph features him holding seven baseballs in his right hand<ref>{{cite web|url=https://redlegnation.com/2015/03/04/hall-of-100-johnny-bench/|title=Hall of 100: Johnny Bench|website=Redleg Nation|author1=Carrington, Nick|date=March 4, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404210645/http://redlegnation.com/2015/03/04/hall-of-100-johnny-bench/|url-status=live}}</ref>), Bench also tended to block breaking balls in the dirt by scooping them with one hand instead of the more common and fundamentally proper way: dropping to both knees and blocking the ball using the chest protector to keep the ball in front.<ref name="Are Catchers Today As Good Defensively As In The Past?"/>

==Personal life==
Bench has been married five times. Once hailed as "baseball's most-eligible bachelor," he shed that distinction before the 1975 season when he married Vickie Chesser, a toothpaste model who had dated [[Joe Namath]]. Four days after they met, Bench proposed, and they were married on February 21, 1975.<ref name=wmlamt>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xmRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=1393%2C3880537 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title=Women lament marriage of Bench |date=February 21, 1975 |page=10 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001854/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xmRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=1393,3880537 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=thgahwl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zoFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=2617%2C2534073 |work=Youngstown Vindicator |location=(Ohio) |agency=Associated Press |title=1,000 guests attend Bench wedding in Hollywood-like setting |date=February 22, 1975 |page=8 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001852/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zoFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=2617,2534073 |url-status=live }}</ref> Quickly, the pair realized they were incompatible, especially after Bench suggested that his wife accept ''[[Hustler (magazine)|Hustler]]'' magazine's offer for her to pose nude for $25,000.<ref name=pwppdh>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VjBYAAAAIBAJ&pg=3415%2C3243289 |work=The Bulletin |location=(Bend, Oregon) |agency=Associated Press |title='Marriage of the century' over; post-wedding Ping Pong didn't help |date=February 2, 1977 |page=15 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827200314/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VjBYAAAAIBAJ&pg=3415%2C3243289 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Post77">{{cite news |last1=Rosen |first1=Ron |title=Barons and Benches Troubled |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/02/02/barons-and-benches-troubled/b18f42c6-2d93-41f4-9e17-f686b551b0ee/ |access-date=May 27, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 2, 1977 |quote=I did have one offer: Hustler magazine offered me $25,000 to pose in Hustler style. I rejected the idea but Johnny said, 'Why not, it's good money.' |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527234709/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/02/02/barons-and-benches-troubled/b18f42c6-2d93-41f4-9e17-f686b551b0ee/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They broke up at the end of the season (Bench reportedly said to her, "Now I'm done with two things I hate: baseball and you"), divorcing after just 13 months. "I tried. I even hand-squeezed orange juice," Chesser told [[Phil Donahue]] in December 1975. "I don't think either of us had any idea what marriage was really like." After returning to Manhattan, Chesser said, "Johnny Bench is a great athlete, a mediocre everything else, and a true tragedy as a person."<ref name="The_Long_Ball">{{cite book |last1=Adelman |first1=Tom |title=The Long Ball |date=April 1, 2004 |publisher=Little, Brown and Company |isbn=0316796441 |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/long-ball-tom-adelman/1112360128#/ |access-date=May 27, 2019 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001853/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/long-ball-tom-adelman/1112360128#/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="TheArgus">{{cite news |title=Bench prefers ping-pong to wife on wedding night |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/argus-feb-04-1977-p-16/ |access-date=May 27, 2019 |work=The Argus |agency=United Press International |date=February 4, 1977 |location=Cincinnati, Ohio |page=16 |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527233312/https://newspaperarchive.com/argus-feb-04-1977-p-16/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Before Christmas 1987, Bench married Laura Cwikowski, an Oklahoma City model and aerobics instructor. They had a son, Bobby Binger Bench (named after [[Bob Hope]] and [[Bobby Knight]], and Bench's hometown), before divorcing in 1995. They shared custody of their son. "He was, and is, a great dad," according to Bobby, who works in Cincinnati as a production operator on Reds broadcasts. Bench's third marriage, to Elizabeth Benton, took place in 1997. Johnny filed for divorce in 2000 on grounds of marital infidelity. His fourth marriage took place in 2004, to 31-year-old Lauren Baiocchi, the daughter of pro golfer [[Hugh Baiocchi]]. After living in [[Palm Springs]] with their two sons, Johnny wished to return to South Florida, where he lived from 2014 to 2017. However, Lauren would not relocate to Florida, leading to their divorce. As of 2018, Bench has primary custody of their sons.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/07/05/johnny-bench-cincinnati-reds |title=Johnny Bench Is Already a Hall-of-Famer, But He's Looking For a New Distinction |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=July 2, 2018 |first=Jon |last=Wertheim |access-date=October 25, 2018 |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026025033/https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/07/05/johnny-bench-cincinnati-reds |url-status=live }}</ref>

Bench was married for the fifth time in March 2024.<ref name="n945">{{cite web | last=Wysong | first=David | title=Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench confirms fifth marriage | website=Cincinnati Enquirer | date=2024-08-07 | url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2024/08/07/cincinnati-reds-legend-johnny-bench-fifth-marriage/74707694007/ | access-date=2024-11-28}}</ref>

While still an active MLB player, he made a [[cameo appearance]] as a [[Kings Island|Kings Island Inn]] poolside waiter in "I Left My Heart in Cincinnati," a Season 3 episode of ''[[The Partridge Family]]'' which first aired on January 26, 1973.<ref>[https://www.wvxu.org/media/2017-01-26/the-partridge-family-kings-island-episode-aired-in-1973 Kiesewetter, John. "''The Partridge Family'' Kings Island Episode Aired In 1973," WVXU-FM 91.7 (Cincinnati, OH), Thursday, January 26, 2017.] Retrieved October 28, 2024.</ref>

==Honors and post-career activities==
[[File:Johnny Bench Statue at Great American Ball Park.jpg|thumb|Bench's statue at Great American Ball Park]]
[[File:Johnny Bench signs autographs in May 2014.jpg|thumb|Bench signs autographs in Houston in May 2014.]]

Bench was elected to the National [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] in [[Cooperstown, New York]], in [[Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 1989|1989]] alongside [[Carl Yastrzemski]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baseballhall.org/hof/bench-johnny|title=Johnny Bench|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=July 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717213204/http://baseballhall.org/hof/bench-johnny|url-status=live}}</ref> He was elected in his first year of eligibility, and appeared on 96% of the ballots, the third-highest percentage at that time. Three years earlier, Bench had been inducted into the [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]] and his uniform No. 5 was retired by the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/history/retired_numbers.jsp|title=Reds Retired Numbers|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=June 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614220325/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/history/retired_numbers.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/ballpark/museum/hofers.jsp|title=Hall of Fame & Museum – Reds Hall of Famers|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=July 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721072221/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/ballpark/museum/hofers.jsp|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is currently on the board of directors for the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. In 1989, he became the first individual baseball player to appear on a [[Wheaties]] box, a cereal he ate as a child.<ref name=jbgpowb>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NfhSAAAAIBAJ&pg=5134,2513832|newspaper=Deseret News|agency=wire services|title=Johnny Bench gets his picture on Wheaties box|date=July 6, 1989|page=D7|access-date=October 5, 2020|archive-date=August 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827200244/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NfhSAAAAIBAJ&pg=5134,2513832|url-status=live}}</ref>

For a time in the 1980s Bench was a commercial spokesman for [[Krylon]] [[paint]], featuring a memorable catchphrase: "I'm Johnny Bench, and this is Johnny Bench's bench."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzrdWyhoH0c| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/gzrdWyhoH0c| archive-date=2021-12-11 | url-status=live|via=YouTube|title=Johnny's Bench, Krylon| date=January 25, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 1985, Bench starred as Joe Boyd/Joe Hardy in a Cincinnati stage production of the musical ''[[Damn Yankees]]'', which also included [[Gwen Verdon]] and [[Gary Sandy]]. He also hosted the television series ''[[The Baseball Bunch]]'' from 1982 to 1985. A cast of boys and girls from the [[Tucson, Arizona]], area would learn the game of baseball from Bench and other current and retired greats. [[The San Diego Chicken|The Chicken]] provided comic relief and former [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] manager [[Tommy Lasorda]] appeared as "The Dugout Wizard."

In 1986, Bench and [[Don Drysdale]] did the backup contests for [[Major League Baseball on ABC|ABC]]'s Sunday afternoon baseball telecasts ([[Al Michaels]] and [[Jim Palmer]] were the primary commentating crew). Keith Jackson, usually working with Tim McCarver did the No. 2 Monday night games. Bench took a week off in June (with [[Steve Busby]] filling in), and also worked one game with Michaels as the networks switched the announcer pairings. While Drysdale worked the [[1986 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] in [[Astrodome|Houston]] as an interviewer he did not resurface until the playoffs. Bench simply disappeared, ultimately going to [[Major League Baseball|CBS Radio]] to help [[Brent Musburger]] call that year's [[1986 National League Championship Series|National League Championship Series]]. Bench would later serve as color commentator CBS Radio's World Series coverage alongside [[Jack Buck]] and later [[Vin Scully]] from [[1989 World Series|1989]]–[[1993 World Series|1993]]. In 1994, Bench served as a field reporter for [[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]]/[[The Baseball Network]]'s coverage of the [[1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] from [[Three Rivers Stadium|Pittsburgh]].

After turning 50, Bench was a part-time professional golfer and played in several events on the [[Champions Tour|Senior PGA Tour]].<ref name=jbatmmst>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sG5hAAAAIBAJ&pg=2970,1104388 |newspaper=Catoosa County News |location=Ringgold, Georgia |agency=Knight-Ridder Newspapers |last=Carter |first=Ivan |title=Johnny Bench attempts to make mark on Senior Tour |date=August 12, 1998 |page=1B |access-date=October 5, 2020 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001858/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sG5hAAAAIBAJ&pg=2970,1104388 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=msswg>{{cite web |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/971208/gp1208/i.html |work=CNNSI.com |title=My Shot: Still Swinging |last=Bench |first=Johnny |date=December 3, 1997 |access-date=July 30, 2013 |archive-date=December 29, 2003 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031229112102/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/971208/gp1208/i.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=yahspjb>{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/golf/champions/players/Johnny+Bench/1127/log |work=Yahoo! Sports |title=Golf: Johnny Bench |access-date=July 30, 2013 |archive-date=September 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915205544/https://sports.yahoo.com/golf/champions/players/Johnny+Bench/1127/log |url-status=live }}</ref> He has a home at the Mission Hills-Gary Player Course in [[Rancho Mirage, California]].<ref>{{cite book|last1=Meeks|first1=Eric G.|title=Palm Springs Celebrity Homes: Little Tuscany, Racquet Club, Racquet Club Estates and Desert Park Estates Neighborhoods|date=2012 |page= 392 |publisher=Horatio Limburger Oglethorpe|type=Kindle|asin= B00A2PXD1G}}</ref>

In 1999, Bench ranked Number 16 on ''[[The Sporting News]]'' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.sportingnews.com/baseball/100/ |title=Johnny Bench at The Sporting News 100 Greatest Baseball Players |access-date=June 1, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227144518/http://archive.sportingnews.com/baseball/100/ |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }}</ref> He was the highest-ranking catcher. Bench was also elected to the [[Major League Baseball All-Century Team]] as the top vote-receiving catcher.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/mlb_history_moreinfo.jsp|title=The All-Century Team|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=January 19, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119065808/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/mlb_history_moreinfo.jsp|url-status=live}}</ref> As part of the Golden Anniversary of the Rawlings Gold Glove Award, Bench was selected to the [[All-time Gold Glove Team|All-Time Rawlings Gold Glove Team]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rawlingsgoldglove.com/about/all_time_winners|title=Gold Glove :: Rawlings.com|access-date=June 1, 2016|archive-date=January 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112214556/http://www.rawlingsgoldglove.com/about/all_time_winners|url-status=live}}</ref>

From the 2000 [[college baseball]] season until 2018, the best collegiate catcher annually received the [[Johnny Bench Award]].  Notable winners include [[Buster Posey]] of [[Florida State University]], [[Kelly Shoppach]] of [[Baylor University]], [[Ryan Garko]] of [[Stanford University]], and [[Kurt Suzuki]] of [[Cal State Fullerton]]. The award was renamed the Buster Posey Award for the 2019 season onwards.<ref>{{cite web|title=Buster Posey Award (Johnny Bench Award)|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/johnny_bench_award.shtml|website=Baseball Almanac|access-date=August 22, 2020|archive-date=August 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815233233/https://baseball-almanac.com/awards/johnny_bench_award.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, he guest starred on an [[List of Yes, Dear episodes#Season 3 (2002–03)|episode]] of ''[[Yes, Dear]]'' as himself, along with [[Ernie Banks]] and [[Frank Robinson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/yes_dear/s03/e16|title = Yes, Dear: Season 3, Episode 16|publisher = [[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date = March 31, 2020|archive-date = July 31, 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200731214306/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/yes_dear/s03/e16|url-status = live}}</ref>

In 2008, Bench co-wrote the book ''Catch Every Ball: How to Handle Life's Pitches'' with Paul Daugherty, published by [[Orange Frazer Press]].  An autobiography published in 1979 called ''Catch You Later'' was co-authored with William Brashler. Bench has also broadcast games on television and radio, and is an avid [[golf]]er, having played in several [[Champions Tour]] tournaments.

Bench was interviewed by [[Heidi Watney]] of the [[New England Sports Network]] during a September 2008 [[Boston Red Sox]] game at [[Fenway Park]]. While [[knuckleball]]er [[Tim Wakefield]] was on the mound for the Red Sox, Bench related a story that then-Reds manager [[Sparky Anderson]] told him that he was thinking of trading for knuckleballer [[Phil Niekro]]. Bench replied that Anderson had better trade for Niekro's catcher, too.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://soxanddawgs.com/2008/09/24/johnny-bench-does-a-harry-caray-impression|title=Johnny Bench Does A Harry Caray Impression|access-date=June 1, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104164711/http://soxanddawgs.com/2008/09/24/johnny-bench-does-a-harry-caray-impression/|archive-date=January 4, 2010}}</ref>

On September 17, 2011, the Cincinnati Reds unveiled a statue of Bench at the entrance way of the Reds Hall of Fame at [[Great American Ball Park]]. The larger-than-life bronze statue by [[Tom Tsuchiya]], shows Bench in the act of throwing out a base runner.<ref name= CE >{{cite news| work=The Cincinnati Enquirer| title=Johnny Bench Bronze Age| date=September 17, 2011| url=http://news.cincinnati.com/videonetwork/1163895329001/Johnny-Bench-Statue| access-date=August 24, 2012| archive-date=November 17, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117132259/http://news.cincinnati.com/videonetwork/1163895329001/Johnny-Bench-Statue| url-status=live}}</ref><ref name = NYT >{{cite news| work=The New York Times| title=In Baseball's Bronze Age, Statues are Becoming Bigger Part of the Landscape| date=September 21, 2011| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/sports/baseball/baseballs-bronze-age.html?pagewanted=all| access-date=July 19, 2012| archive-date=October 4, 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004165628/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/sports/baseball/baseballs-bronze-age.html?pagewanted=all| url-status=live}}</ref> Bench called the unveiling of his statue his "greatest moment."<ref name= MLB>{{cite news|publisher=Major League Baseball|title=Bench calls statue his 'greatest moment'|date=September 17, 2011|url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110917&content_id=24847440&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|access-date=August 24, 2012|archive-date=March 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328205514/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110917&content_id=24847440&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2016, he was inducted into the [[International Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://sportshof.org/2016-hall-of-fame/ |website=www.sportshof.org |author=Dr. Robert Goldman |date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714042309/https://sportshof.org/2016-hall-of-fame/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was also the Hall of Fame recipient of the [[Bob Feller Act of Valor Award]] in 2018, for his service and continued support of the [[United States Military]].<ref name="r106">{{cite web | title=Bob Feller Act of Valor Award | website=MLB.com | url=https://www.mlb.com/guardians/community/feller-act-of-valor | access-date=2024-11-28}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Biography|Oklahoma|Baseball}}
{{Div col}}
* [[Cincinnati Reds award winners and league leaders]]
* [[List of Gold Glove Award winners at catcher]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career hits leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career intentional bases on balls leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career putouts as a catcher leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career runs scored leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball retired numbers]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise]]
* [[List of members of the Baseball Hall of Fame]]
* [[Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award]]
{{end div col}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.johnnybench.com/|Official Website—johnnybench.com}}
* {{Bbhof|bench-johnny}}
* {{Baseballstats|br=b/benchjo01}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080331071743/http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/classic/bio/news/story?page=Bench_Johnny Baseball's Greatest Catcher]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090105083026/http://digital.library.okstate.edu/encyclopedia/entries/B/BE015.html "Bench, Johnny"] ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=7jMDAAAAMBAJ&dq=baseball+digest+johnny+bench&pg=PA60 "Johnny Bench: Number 1 Home Run Hitter of All Catchers"]{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Baseball Digest'', December 1980
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=KSsDAAAAMBAJ&dq=baseball+digest+johnny+bench&pg=PA64 "Johnny Bench: From Binger to Cooperstown"]{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} ''Baseball Digest'', February 2000
* {{IMDb name|070337}}
* {{PGATour player|23241}}
* [http://voicesofoklahoma.com/interview/bench-johnny/ Voices of Oklahoma interview with Johnny Bench.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101555/http://voicesofoklahoma.com/interview/bench-johnny/ |date=April 2, 2015 }} First person interview conducted on March 28, 2012, with Johnny Bench.

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