Johnny Bench Career MLB Stats 1967-1983 |
||||||||||||||
G |
AB |
H |
AVG |
HR |
RBI |
R |
SB |
2B |
3B |
BB |
SO |
OBP | SLG% |
OPS
|
2,158 |
7,658 |
2,048 |
.267 |
389 |
1,376 |
1,091 |
68 |
381 |
24 |
894 |
1,278 |
.342 |
.476 |
.817
|
John Lee Bench was born on December 7, 1947 in Oklahoma City, OK. He is the son of Katy and Ted Bench. At a young age, his father taught him the game of baseball, learning one of the least glamorous and probably the hardest position: catcher. His father told him because of the nature of the position, it’s one of the best ways to make it to the big leagues. It was a good decision as he would become one of the best catchers in MLB history.
Bench attended Binger High School. He was two-sport athlete in high school, playing baseball and basketball, where he was an All-State selection in both sports. Bench was also the valedictorian of his high school class. Despite all of his all around success and achievements, his sights was always on baseball. His dream came true as the Cincinnati Reds drafted Bench in 1965.
Awards and Achievements |
|
MVP
|
|
Gold Glove
|
1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 |
All-Star Selections |
1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 1974, 1975 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 1980, 1983
|
Batting Titles |
|
Achievements
|
1975, 1976 World Series MVP 1976 1968 NL Home Run Leader 1970, 1972 NL RBI Leader 1970, 1972, 1974 |
Johnny Bench MLB Career Stats and Notes
Bench made his MLB debut on August 28, 1967. He played 17 seasons, leading the Reds to major success in the 1970s. Along with Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, and Pete Rose, the four were part of the ‘Big Red Machine’ that made three straight trips to the World Series, winning two in 1975 and 1976. The two-time NL MVP retired after the 1983 season. Johnny Bench was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.
Johnny Bench and the Big Red Machine Era
The Big Red Machine was one of the most dominant teams in all of sports during the 1970s. Bench was one of the main cogs in their devastating lineup. During the decade, the Reds averaged 95 wins a year. They won six division titles, four pennants and won two World Series titles. Bench won the 1970 and 1972 NL MVP Awards as well as the 1976 World Series MVP when the Machine steamrolled the New York Yankees in a sweep.