View source for Johnny Bench

{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1947)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| image       = Bench Johnny.jpg
| caption     = Bench in 2006
| name        = Johnny Bench
| position    = [[Catcher]] 
| bats        = Right
| throws      = Right
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1947|12|7}}
| birth_place = [[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|MLB home run leader]] (1970, 1972)
* 3× [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders|MLB 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]]. Bench led 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.

A fourteen-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] and a two-time [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|National League Most Valuable Player]], Bench excelled on offense and defense, twice leading the majors in home runs and three times in runs batted in. 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">{{cite web |title=Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame at MLB.com |url=https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame/alumni/directory#b-content |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819092836/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/hof/hof/directory.jsp?hof_id=111227#b-content |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |access-date=19 May 2020 |work=Major League Baseball}}</ref> He was also the first catcher 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, the single-season record for catchers until [[Salvador Perez]] hit 48 in 2021; Bench still holds the National League record.<ref>{{cite web |title=Most home runs by a catcher in a season |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/most-home-runs-by-a-catcher/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101155609/https://www.mlb.com/amp/news/most-home-runs-by-a-catcher.html/ |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> His 389 home runs and 1,376 runs batted in are 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]]|access-date=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">{{cite web |title=Johnny Bench |url=https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/bench-johnny |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515025403/https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/bench-johnny |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |access-date=19 May 2020 |publisher=[[Baseball Hall of Fame]]}}</ref><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]]. He was inducted into the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Baseball Hall of Fame]] in 1989 in his first year of eligibility.  He was named to MLB's [[Major League Baseball All-Time Team|All-Time Team]] in 1997 and [[Major League Baseball All-Century Team|All-Century Team]] in 1999, and [[ESPN]] has called him the greatest catcher in baseball history.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Acocella |first=Nick |title=Baseball's greatest catcher |url=https://www.espn.com/classic/biography/s/Bench_Johnny.html |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=[[ESPN Classic]]}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born and raised in [[Oklahoma]], Bench is {{Fraction|1|8}} [[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>}} He survived a bus crash that killed two of his baseball teammates in 1965. His father, a truck driver, told him that the fastest route to becoming a major leaguer was as a catcher.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2024 |title=Bench shares a life-changing moment that shaped his life, career |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/johnny-bench-relives-life-changing-bus-accident |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=MLB.com}}</ref><ref name=":0" />

==Professional career==

=== Draft and minor leagues ===
As a 17-year-old, the [[Cincinnati Reds]] selected Bench in the second round, with the 36th overall selection of the [[1965 Major League Baseball draft]]. In 1965, he played for the [[Tampa Tarpons (1957–1988)|Tampa Tarpons]] and Reds' [[Florida Instructional League]] team. He played for the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Buffalo Bisons (1886–1970)|Buffalo Bisons]] in 1966 and 1967.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnny Bench Winter & Minor Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bench-002joh |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=[[Baseball Reference]]}}</ref> During the 1967 season, he hit a [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] against fellow future Hall of Famer [[Jim Palmer]], who would go on to never allow another grand slam his major league career.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Palmer |first1=Jim |author-link=Jim Palmer |title=Palmer and Weaver: Together We Were Eleven Foot Nine |last2=Dale |first2=Jim |publisher=Andrews and McMeel |year=1996 |isbn=0-8362-0781-5 |location=Kansas City |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>

===1967–1969: debut and Rookie of the Year ===
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 [[Batting average (baseball)|hit]] only .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">{{cite web |title=Johnny Bench |url=https://baseballbiography.com/johnny-bench-1947 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201211322/https://baseballbiography.com/johnny-bench-1947/ |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |access-date=June 1, 2016 |website=Baseball Biography}}</ref><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 slowed down 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">{{Cite web |title="Johnny Bench" |url=https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/johnny-bench-hof.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820095625/https://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/johnny-bench-hof.htm |archive-date=2007-08-20 |website=How Stuff Works}}</ref><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 [[Major League Baseball 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">{{cite web |title=Johnny Bench Statistics and History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/benchjo01.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100104102024/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/benchjo01.shtml |archive-date=January 4, 2010 |access-date=June 1, 2016 |work=Baseball Reference}}</ref><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, the first time a rookie had won that award.<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 was 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, including [[Pete Rose]], [[Bobby Tolan]], and [[Darrel Chaney]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lapaille |first=Gavin |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/ |url-status=live |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/ |archive-date=February 5, 2015 |access-date=February 4, 2015 |work= |publisher=[[US Army]]}}</ref><ref name="defense">[https://www.war.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]  [[United States Department of Defense]]. Retrieved August 7, 2022.</ref> In the winter of 1970–1971, Bench 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: MVPs, World Series===
In 1970, Bench had his finest [[Baseball statistics|statistical]] season. At age 22, he became the youngest player to win the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|National League Most Valuable Player Award]]. He hit .293, led the majors with 45 [[home run]]s and a franchise-record 148 [[runs batted in]] as the Reds won the [[National League West|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]] (NLCS) 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>

Bench had another strong year in [[1972 Cincinnati Reds season|1972]], winning the MVP Award for a second time. He once again led the majors in home runs (40) and RBI (125) to help propel the Reds to another NL 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 |author1=Muder, Craig |title=Bench's homer helps push Reds into 1972 World Series |url=https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/benchs-homer-propels-reds-to-1972-world-series |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525215457/https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/benchs-homer-propels-reds-to-1972-world-series |archive-date=May 25, 2019 |access-date=June 1, 2016 |website=[[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum]]}}</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 |title='72 NLCS, Gm 5 PIT@CIN: Reds win after Bench's shot {{!}} 10/11/1972 |url=https://www.mlb.com/video/bench-s-homer-ties-it-c13062811 |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref> The ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer|Cincinnati Enquirer]]'' later called that game one of the best in franchise history.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmetzer |first=Mark |title=Top games in Cincinnati Reds history No. 2: Beating the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1972 NLCS |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2019/09/26/cincinnati-reds-150th-anniversary-1972-nlcs-pittsburgh-pirates-hal-mcrae-george-foster-bob-moose/3781812002/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=The Enquirer |language=en-US}}</ref> However, the Reds lost the [[1972 World Series|World Series]] to the [[1972 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] 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 was benign, but 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/ |access-date=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/ |access-date=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 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]].<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 postseason. Bench had 28 home runs and 110 RBI during the regular season.<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 - Cincinnati Reds.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Bench in 1977]]
Bench struggled with ailing shoulders in [[1976 Cincinnati Reds season|1976]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=1976-08-11 |title=Bench faces more surgery |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/valley-morning-star-bench-faces-more-sur/181287117/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |work=[[Valley Morning Star]] |pages=9 |agency=Associated Press}}</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 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 [[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>{{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 [[World Series Most Valuable Player Award|Series 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 to compare Munson with his catcher. Anderson replied, "I don't want to embarrass any other catcher by comparing him to Johnny Bench."<ref>
{{Cite book |last=Allen |first=Maury |author-link=Maury Allen |title=All Roads Lead to October: Boss Steinbrenner's 25-Year Reign over the New York Yankees |date=2000-07-14 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=978-0-312-26175-7 |chapter=10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fay |first=John |date=April 4, 2020 |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/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=The Cincinnati Enquirer}}</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 [[1979 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh]].<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>

[[File:Johnny Bench circa 1980 CROP.jpg|thumb|185px|Bench circa 1980]]

=== 1980s: move to infield and retirement ===
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 Reds proclaimed 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> <!-- removed: 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> Reason: contradicted by other sources (Piazza hit 14) and verification failed on dead link --> In his career, Bench won 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> 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 {{As of|2010|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Encyclopedia of Catchers – Trivia December 2010 – Career Shutouts Caught |url=http://bb_catchers.tripod.com/catchers/tmonth1.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820234857/http://bb_catchers.tripod.com/catchers/tmonth1.htm |archive-date=August 20, 2018 |access-date=December 29, 2015 |publisher=The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers}}</ref> Bench also won the [[Lou Gehrig Memorial Award|Lou Gehrig Award]] in 1975 for his philanthropic efforts, the [[Babe Ruth Award]] for his postseason performance in 1976, and the [[Hutch Award]] in 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="Are Catchers Today As Good Defensively As In The Past?">{{cite web |author1=Rosciam, Chuck |date=2010 |title=The Evolution of Catcher's Equipment |url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-evolution-of-catchers-equipment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526003333/https://sabr.org/research/evolution-catchers-equipment |archive-date=May 26, 2019 |access-date=June 1, 2016 |website=[[Society for American Baseball Research]] |series=Baseball Research Journal}}</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 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?"/>

==Legacy and post-playing career==
Bench was elected to the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|National Baseball Hall of Fame]] 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 was inducted into the [[Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame]] and the team retired his uniform No. 5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Retired Numbers {{!}} History {{!}} Cincinnati Reds |url=https://www.mlb.com/reds/history/records-stats-awards/retired-numbers |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=MLB.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hall of Fame & Museum – Reds Hall of Famers |url=https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame/alumni/directory#johnny-bench |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721072221/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/ballpark/museum/hofers.jsp |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=June 1, 2016 |website=MLB.com}}</ref> <!-- No longer true and was unsourced: He is currently on the board of directors for the Reds Hall of Fame.  https://www.mlb.com/reds/hall-of-fame/about/board-of-directors -->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 |date=July 6, 1989 |title=Johnny Bench gets his picture on Wheaties box |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NfhSAAAAIBAJ&pg=5134,2513832 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827200244/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=NfhSAAAAIBAJ&pg=5134,2513832 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |newspaper=Deseret News |page=D7}}</ref>
[[File:Johnny Bench at the 1984 Memorial Tournament pro-am - DPLA - 8d0f1989857604bc52ad4e3670cbdcaa (cropped).jpg|alt=Johnny Bench at a 1984 golf tournament, wearing a white hat and being interviewed in front of a TV camera|thumb|Bench at a 1984 golf tournament]]
After turning 50, Bench was a part-time professional golfer and played in several events on the [[Senior PGA Tour]].<ref name="jbatmmst">{{cite news |last=Carter |first=Ivan |date=August 12, 1998 |title=Johnny Bench attempts to make mark on Senior Tour |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sG5hAAAAIBAJ&pg=2970,1104388 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001858/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sG5hAAAAIBAJ&pg=2970,1104388 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |newspaper=Catoosa County News |page=1B |agency=Knight-Ridder Newspapers}}</ref><ref name="msswg">{{cite web |last=Bench |first=Johnny |date=December 3, 1997 |title=My Shot: Still Swinging |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/12/08/still-swinging |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031229112102/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/1997/weekly/971208/gp1208/i.html |archive-date=December 29, 2003 |access-date=July 30, 2013 |work=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</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 had a home at the [[Mission Hills Country Club|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 16th on ''[[The Sporting News]]'' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players. He was the highest-ranking catcher.<ref>{{Cite web |title=100 Greatest Baseball Players by The Sporting News : A Legendary List |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/lisn100.shtml |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref> Bench was also elected to the [[Major League Baseball All-Century Team]] as the top vote-receiving catcher.<ref>{{cite web |title=The All-Century Team |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/mlb_history_moreinfo.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100119065808/http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/history/mlb_history_moreinfo.jsp |archive-date=January 19, 2010 |access-date=June 1, 2016}}</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 |title=Gold Glove |url=http://www.rawlingsgoldglove.com/about/all_time_winners |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112214556/http://www.rawlingsgoldglove.com/about/all_time_winners |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |access-date=June 1, 2016 |website=Rawlings}}</ref>

From 2000 until 2018, the best [[college baseball]] catcher annually received the [[Buster Posey Award|Johnny Bench Award]]. Winners included future MLB players [[Buster Posey]], [[Kurt Suzuki]], [[Kelly Shoppach]], and [[Mike Zunino]]. 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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815233233/https://baseball-almanac.com/awards/johnny_bench_award.shtml |archive-date=August 15, 2021 |access-date=August 22, 2020 |website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref>[[File:Johnny Bench Statue at Great American Ball Park.jpg|thumb|Bench's statue at [[Great American Ball Park]]|alt=A bronze statue of Johnny Bench throwing out a base runner. Statue is in front of Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati]]On September 17, 2011, the 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 |date=September 17, 2011 |title=Johnny Bench Bronze Age |url=http://news.cincinnati.com/videonetwork/1163895329001/Johnny-Bench-Statue |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111117132259/http://news.cincinnati.com/videonetwork/1163895329001/Johnny-Bench-Statue |archive-date=November 17, 2011 |access-date=August 24, 2012 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer}}</ref><ref name="NYT">{{cite news |last=Tierney |first=Mike |date=September 21, 2011 |title=In Baseball's Bronze Age, Statues are Becoming Bigger Part of the Landscape |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/sports/baseball/baseballs-bronze-age.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004165628/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/sports/baseball/baseballs-bronze-age.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=October 4, 2011 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Bench called the unveiling of his statue his "greatest moment".<ref name="MLB">{{cite news |date=September 17, 2011 |title=Bench calls statue his 'greatest moment' |url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110917&content_id=24847440&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |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 |archive-date=March 28, 2014 |access-date=August 24, 2012 |work=MLB.com}}</ref>

In 2016, Bench was inducted into the [[International Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |date=March 15, 2016 |title=2016 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://sportshof.org/2016-hall-of-fame/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714042309/https://sportshof.org/2016-hall-of-fame/ |archive-date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=July 14, 2023 |website=International Sports Hall of Fame}}</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 |url=https://www.mlb.com/guardians/community/feller-act-of-valor |access-date=2024-11-28 |website=MLB.com}}</ref>

=== Broadcasting and media career ===
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, Bench did not resurface until the playoffs. Bench ultimately moved 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]] to [[1993 World Series|1993]].{{Citation needed|date=September 2025}} 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]] in [[Three Rivers Stadium|Pittsburgh]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnny Bench {{!}} Actor |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0070337/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2001, Bench appeared on the "Sports Superstar Edition" of the game show Bench co-hosted a Cincinnati radio show with Reds broadcaster [[Marty Brennaman]] but quit in 2000 following Brennaman's Hall of Fame speech supporting [[Pete Rose#National Baseball Hall of Fame Eligibility|Pete Rose's induction]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-07-27 |title=Not For Pete's Sake: Bench Quits |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/not-for-petes-sake-bench-quits/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=CBS News |agency=Associated Press}}</ref>[[File:Johnny Bench signs autographs in May 2014.jpg|thumb|Bench signs autographs in Houston in May 2014.]]

Bench wrote several books. During his playing career, he wrote ''From Behind the Plate'', published in 1972,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bench |first=Johnny |url=http://archive.org/details/frombehindplate0000benc |title=From behind the plate |date=1972 |publisher=[[Prentice-Hall]] |isbn=978-0-13-331454-0 |url-access=registration}}</ref> the instructional book ''Catching and Power Hitting'' in 1975,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bench |first=Johnny |title=Catching and Power Hitting |publisher=Viking Press |year=1975 |isbn=978-0670206834}}</ref> and ''Catch You Later,'' an autobiography published in 1979 co-authored with [[William Brashler]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Bench |first=Johnny |url=http://archive.org/details/catchyoulateraut00benc |title=Catch you later : the autobiography of Johnny Bench |last2=Brashler |first2=William |author-link2=William Brashler |date=1979 |publisher=Harper & Row |isbn=978-0-06-010324-8}}</ref> In 1999, he wrote ''The [[Complete Idiot's Guides|Complete Idiot's Guide]] to Baseball''.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bench |first=Johnny |title=The Complete Idiot's Guide to Baseball |publisher=Alpha Books |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-585-08921-8}}</ref> In 2008, he co-wrote ''Catch Every Ball: How to Handle Life's Pitches'' with Paul Daugherty.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bench |first=Johnny |title=Catch Every Ball: How to Handle Life's Pitches |last2=Daugherty |first2=Paul |date=2008 |publisher=[[Orange Frazer Press]] |isbn=978-1-933197-12-8}}</ref>

Bench has acted several times, usually related to his baseball career. While still an active player, he made a [[cameo appearance]] as a [[Kings Island|Kings Island Inn]] poolside waiter in 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> Bench hosted the television series ''[[The Baseball Bunch]]'' from 1982 to 1985. In the show, Bench and other current and retired ballplayers would teach a cast of boys and girls from the [[Tucson, Arizona]] area about baseball. [[San Diego Chicken|The San Diego Chicken]] provided comic relief, and [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] manager [[Tommy Lasorda]] appeared as "The Dugout Wizard."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Croatto |first=Pete |date=2016-06-29 |title=Johnny Bench, the Chicken and an oral history of The Baseball Bunch |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2016/06/29/baseball-bunch-oral-history-johnny-bench |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> In 1985, Bench starred as Joe Boyd/Joe Hardy in a Cincinnati stage production of the musical ''[[Damn Yankees]]'', which also included [[Marge Schott]], [[Jerry Springer]], and [[Marty Brennaman]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Findsen |first=Owen |date=1985-06-02 |title=Getting stars together key to 'Damn Yankees' choreography |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-getting-stars-to/181288937/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |page=E-2}}</ref> In 2001, Bench appeared on the "Sports Superstars Edition" of ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (American game show)|Who Wants to Be a Millionaire]]''.{{cn|date=December 2025}} In 2003, Bench 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 |title=Yes, Dear: Season 3, Episode 16 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/yes_dear/s03/e16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731214306/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/yes_dear/s03/e16 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=March 31, 2020 |publisher=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> Bench was a [[Savannah Bananas]] coach in a 2022 game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Dave |date=April 3, 2022 |title=Watch: Johnny Bench introduced as first-base coach for Savannah Bananas |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/2022/04/03/johnny-bench-introduced-first-base-coach-savannah-bananas-west-palm-beach-cincinnati-reds-hall-famer/7265843001/ |access-date=2025-09-18 |website=The Cincinnati Enquirer}}</ref>

Bench has also been a [[spokesperson]] in advertisements for several decades. In the 1980s, he was a spokesman for [[Krylon]] [[paint]], featuring the catchphrases "I'm Johnny Bench, and this is Johnny Bench's bench" and "no runs, no drips, no errors"  During his career, he also endorsed [[Fifth Third Bank]] and [[Gillette]].<ref>{{cite web |date=January 25, 2014 |title=Johnny's Bench, Krylon |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzrdWyhoH0c |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/gzrdWyhoH0c |archive-date=2021-12-11 |via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vintage Johnny Bench ad for Fifth Third |url=https://www.usatoday.com/embed/video/3400522002/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=USA Today}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kiesewetter |first=John |date=2019-01-29 |title=25 Reasons To Watch New 'BENCH' Film About Johnny Bench |url=https://www.wvxu.org/media/2019-01-29/25-reasons-to-watch-new-bench-film-about-johnny-bench |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=WVXU |language=en}}</ref> Bench received a [[Stryker Corporation]] hip implant following his MLB career. He would then go on to become a spokesperson for the company.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lombardo |first=David |date=2011-05-06 |title=Baseball great Johnny Bench talks about hip surgery at Saratoga Hospital |url=https://www.dailygazette.com/archives/baseball-great-johnny-bench-talks-about-hip-surgery-at-saratoga-hospital/article_7634046d-eae2-5ac4-a816-98fa3eab0fd2.html |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Gazette News Group}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Cam |title=Johnny Bench is delighted with his brand new hip, and today's catchers - Page 2 |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/index/_/id/4986009 |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Warriner |first=Cal |date=2012-10-04 |title=Stryker Hip Device Fails to Impress Johnny Bench |url=https://www.searcylaw.com/how-is-johnny-bench-doing-with-the-latest-improved-stryker-hip-replacement-device/ |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=Searcy Law}}</ref> He has also been a spokesperson for pain relief company Blue-Emu.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Johnny Bench TV Commercials |url=https://www.ispot.tv/topic/coach/kwV/johnny-bench |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=ispot.tv}}</ref>

In an interview during a 2008 [[Boston Red Sox]] game with [[knuckleball]]er [[Tim Wakefield]] on the mound for the Red Sox, Bench related a story that 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 |date=2008-09-24 |title=Johnny Bench Does A Harry Caray Impression |url=http://soxanddawgs.com/2008/09/24/johnny-bench-does-a-harry-caray-impression |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 |access-date=June 1, 2016}}</ref>

==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 and the 1970 [[Miss South Carolina USA]] 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 |date=February 21, 1975 |title=Women lament marriage of Bench |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xmRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=1393%2C3880537 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001854/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xmRYAAAAIBAJ&pg=1393,3880537 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |work=The Bulletin |location=Bend, Oregon |page=10 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="thgahwl">{{cite news |date=February 22, 1975 |title=1,000 guests attend Bench wedding in Hollywood-like setting |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zoFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=2617%2C2534073 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829001852/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zoFIAAAAIBAJ&pg=2617,2534073 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |work=Youngstown Vindicator |location=Ohio |page=8 |agency=Associated Press}}</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 |date=February 2, 1977 |title='Marriage of the century' over; post-wedding Ping Pong didn't help |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VjBYAAAAIBAJ&pg=3415%2C3243289 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827200314/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VjBYAAAAIBAJ&pg=3415%2C3243289 |archive-date=August 27, 2021 |access-date=October 5, 2020 |work=The Bulletin |location=Bend, Oregon |page=15 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="Post77">{{cite news |last1=Rosen |first1=Ron |date=February 2, 1977 |title=Barons and Benches Troubled |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1977/02/02/barons-and-benches-troubled/b18f42c6-2d93-41f4-9e17-f686b551b0ee/ |url-status=live |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/ |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |access-date=May 27, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |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.'}}</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="TheArgus">{{cite news |date=February 4, 1977 |title=Bench prefers ping-pong to wife on wedding night |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/argus-feb-04-1977-p-16/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527233312/https://newspaperarchive.com/argus-feb-04-1977-p-16/ |archive-date=May 27, 2019 |access-date=May 27, 2019 |work=The Argus |location=Cincinnati, Ohio |page=16 |agency=United Press International}}</ref><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}}</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 married his third wife, Elizabeth Benton, in 1997. He 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, Bench wished to return to South Florida, where he lived from 2014 to 2017. However, she would not relocate to Florida, leading to their divorce. As of 2018, Bench has primary custody of their sons.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Wertheim |first=Jon |date=July 2, 2018 |title=Johnny Bench Is Already a Hall-of-Famer, But He's Looking For a New Distinction |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/07/05/johnny-bench-cincinnati-reds |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026025033/https://www.si.com/mlb/2018/07/05/johnny-bench-cincinnati-reds |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |access-date=October 25, 2018 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=What it's like growing up in the shadow of a sports legend |url=https://www.wvxu.org/show/cincinnati-edition/2025-05-29/what-like-growing-up-shadow-sports-legend |access-date=2025-09-23 |website=WVXU |language=en}}</ref>

Bench was married for the fifth time in March 2024.<ref name="n945">{{cite web |last=Wysong |first=David |date=2024-08-07 |title=Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench confirms fifth marriage |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 |website=Cincinnati Enquirer}}</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}}
* [https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry?entry=BE015 "Johnny Lee Bench"] at ''Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture''
* {{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 }} Interview conducted with Bench on March 28, 2012.

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{{Cincinnati Reds HOF}}
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{{Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame}}
{{1989 Baseball HOF}}
{{Baseball Hall of Fame members}}
{{Major League Baseball on CBS Radio}}
{{Major League Baseball on CBS}}
{{Major League Baseball on ABC}}
{{Major League Baseball on NBC}}
{{The Baseball Network}}
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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bench, Johnny}}
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:20th-century Native American people]]
[[Category:21st-century Native American people]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Oklahoma City]]
[[Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players]]
[[Category:Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma people]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds announcers]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Gold Glove Award winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball broadcasters]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball catchers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award winners]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Oklahoma]]
[[Category:National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:National League home run champions]]
[[Category:National League Most Valuable Player Award winners]]
[[Category:National League RBI champions]]
[[Category:Native American United States military personnel]]
[[Category:Peninsula Grays players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Rancho Mirage, California]]
[[Category:Tampa Tarpons (1957–1987) players]]
[[Category:World Series Most Valuable Player Award winners]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of the Vietnam War]]