Johnny Lee Bench (born December 7, 1947 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Bench, a 14-time All-Star selection and a two-time National League Most Valuable Player, was a key member of The Big Red Machine, which won six division titles, four National League pennants, and two World Series championships. ESPN has called him the greatest catcher in baseball history.
I've seldom seen a horny player walk into a bar and not let out exactly what he did for a living.
2
A catcher and his body are like the outlaw and his horse. He's got to ride that nag till it drops.
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Fact
1
Inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 (first baseball player so honored).
2
Made major league debut on 28 August 1967.
3
Member of 1970 and 1972 National League Champion Cincinnati Reds teams. Member of 1973, 1979 and 1981 National League Western Division Champion Cincinnati Reds team. Member of 1975 and 1976 World Series Champion Cincinnati Reds teams.
4
Catcher/Third Baseman/First Baseman/Outfielder with the Cincinnati Reds (1967-1983).
5
1968 National League Rookie of the Year for hitting 40 Doubles, 82 RBI and 57 Extra-Base Hits.
6
1970 and 1972 National League MVP.
7
Cincinnati Reds Career RBI Leader (1,376).
8
Cincinnati Reds Career Home Run Leader (389).
9
Spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds.
10
Also played first base and in the outfield, in addition to catching and playing third base.
11
Learned to throw hard as far as 250 feet with great accuracy.
12
Beat out Jerry Koosman of the New York Mets for Rookie of the Year honors in 1968 by one vote.
13
Has large hands; can hold seven baseballs in them.
14
Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1989 with the fourth highest voting percentage ever.
15
Is of Choctaw Indian descent.
16
Was a broadcaster for the Reds from 1987 to 1990.
17
Won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1968.
18
Won the National League MVP Award in 1970 and 1972 and the World Series MVP Award in 1976.
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Easy Rider 2: The Ride Home
2012
MLB Scout
The Partridge Family
1973
TV Series
Pool Waiter
Mission: Impossible
1971
TV Series
Captain of the Guards
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Field of Dreams: Roundtable with Kevin Costner, Johnny Bench, George Brett, and Bret Saberhagen
2004
Video documentary short special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mike & Mike
2015
TV Series
Himself - Baseball Hall of Famer
The Cleveland Show
2012
TV Series
Himself
Prime 9
2009-2011
TV Series
Himself
Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2009
TV Series
Himself
18th Annual American Century Championship
2007
TV Mini-Series
Himself
Quite Frankly with Stephen A. Smith
2006
TV Series
Himself
The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame...
2005
TV Series
Himself
This Week in Baseball
2005
TV Series
Himself
16th Annual American Century Championship
2005
TV Mini-Series
Himself
Catching Up!
2004
TV Special
Guest
The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour
2004
TV Movie
Himself
Field of Dreams: Roundtable with Kevin Costner, Johnny Bench, George Brett, and Bret Saberhagen
2004
Video documentary short
Himself
ESPN SportsCentury
2000-2004
TV Series documentary
Himself
ESPN 25: Who's #1?
2004
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Tim McCarver Show
2003
TV Series
Himself - Guest
100 Years of the World Series
2003
Video documentary
Himself
Cincinnati: Just Around the Corner
2003
Documentary short
Himself
Yes, Dear
2003
TV Series
Himself
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
2001
TV Series
Himself
1994 MLB All-Star Game
1994
TV Special
Himself - Field Reporter
Married with Children
1993
TV Series
Himself
1992 American League Championship Series
1992
TV Series
Himself - Color Commentator
This Week in Baseball's Greatest Plays
1991
Video
Himself
Bob Hope's Christmas Cheer from Saudi Arabia
1991
TV Special
Himself
Mr. Belvedere
1989
TV Series
Himself
The New Hollywood Squares
1988
TV Series
Guest Appearance
Greats of the Game
1985
TV Series
Guest
1983 MLB All-Star Game
1983
TV Special
Himself - NL Third Baseman
Late Night with David Letterman
1983
TV Series
Himself
The Baseball Bunch
1982
TV Series documentary
Himself - Host
Greatest Sports Legends
1982
TV Series
Himself
Games People Play
1980
TV Series
Co-Host
1980 MLB All-Star Game
1980
TV Special
Himself - NL Catcher
1979 National League Championship Series
1979
TV Series
Himself - Cincinnati Reds Catcher
The Bad News Bears
1979
TV Series
Himself
Good Morning America
1979
TV Series
Himself
1978 National League Championship Series
1978
TV Mini-Series
Himself - Color Commentator
The Mike Douglas Show
1971-1978
TV Series
Himself - Pro Baseball Player / Himself - Baseball Player / Himself - Co-Host