Johnny Bench 2010 Topps Vintage Legends
I can really get on board with cards like this!!
Anytime you can show me a baseball card that features an image of a player doing an act that they are not commonly known for, I am in!!!
This card, from the 2010 Topps Vintage Legends set, shows Johnny Bench getting his base-running signals from the coach. It looks like he is on second base, so maybe he is being informed that the ‘Hit & Run’ has been put into play…
Johnny Bench 2005 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic
Johnny Bench is one of the most accomplished offensive catchers of all-time. His ability to provide power and run production while catching 140+ games a season was unheard of in his era.
Bench absolutely stood out!!
And this card would follow suit and stand out too if Bench’s likeness had just a little bit of Red added. Make his helmet, name and number, and jersey striping Red and we would be looking at a fantastic baseball card.
But, since it does not have those elements, I would say that this one is a C+ but could have easily been a B+/A-…
Maybe next time!
Johnny Bench 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen – Base
After being back in the baseball card collecting game for almost five years now, I would have to say that one of the most photogenic players from the era that I prefer to collect is Hall of Famer, Johnny Bench.
I’m not sure if it because he can be captured well playing either offense or defense, but that probably plays a part in it.
Ultimately, I think the fact that Bench looked great in a Reds uniform.
Further proof is Bench’s card from the 2013 Topps Gypsy Queen set.
Have a look:
I told you – PERFECT!!!
Johnny Bench 2000 Bowman’s Best ‘Franchise Favorites’
When a baseball card is tagged with a theme of ‘Franchise Favorites’ I will always be interested to see said card has to offer.
This one from the 2000 Bowman’s Best set features the great, Johnny Bench – certainly a franchise favorite of the Cincinnati Reds.
Without a doubt, Bench deserves to be honored in this manner – he may very well be the greatest Reds player of all-time. And quite possibly the most popular too.
As for the card, it is pretty sweet. I like the fact that the color, action image takes center stage and overlaps the background graphics. The shiny refractor-esque finish is a nice touch as well.
Have a look:
Johnny Bench 2011 Topps ‘Prime 9′ Chrome
Wow, talk about a sweet looking baseball card!!!
This is the second card from the ‘Prime 9′ set that I have picked up, with the first being the card of Hank Aaron.
And so far, this subset does not disappoint. The cards feature a high-gloss, Chrome finish and are printed on an ungraded cardstock. The image of Bench that was used is from his younger days and displays a vintage Reds uniform.
When released, these cards could only be obtained in the hobby environment through a redemption process. The 9-card set was put together through redemption cards that were randomly inserted into hobby boxes of 2011 Topps. If you pulled a redemption card from this set, you had a 1-week period to exchange it for the actual ‘Prime 9′ card.
Today, you can find these all over the secondary market – from card shops, to the web, and even at card shows if you hunt hard enough.
I’d like to see the whole set put together at one time – these are SWEET!!!
Johnny Bench 2001 Upper Deck Legends
Now this card here is a sharp one!
I really like how Upper Deck employed a Black and Yellow border for this card’s design. The color combination works well together and the blending into the image of Bench is a fine complement to that strong Yellow coloring.
The scripting used for the Johnny Bench nameplate is pretty nice too. The font choice has a sense of royalty to it and the size works well with the text underneath it.
Check it out:
I told you!
Now, if the image used had a few muted tones of Red in the uniform this one would jump from a B+ to an A real quick.
Johnny Bench 2005 Topps Rookie Cup – Base
I love this set!!
And I have yet to be disappointed by any of the cards that I have scooped thus far from the set.
Until now…
Have a look at the card of Johnny Bench from this set:
Come on Topps, what is with this image? Sure, it could be worse, but there are so many fantastic images of a young Johnny Bench playing baseball with the Reds – couldn’t you have used one of these instead??
Topps did such a great job gathering images for this set; the cards of Andre Dawson, Ozzie Smith, Ron Santo, and Eddie Murray that I have grabbed thus far are so nice. Sadly, this one of a very young Johnny Bench just does not do him any justice…
Maybe next time…
Johnny Bench 2000 Fleer Greats Of The Game ‘Retrospection’
While this card does not really remind me of the more typical Fleer ‘Greats Of The Game’ sets, it still has quite a bit of appeal.
And most of that appeal comes from the picture used of Johnny Bench.
Have a look:
This card comes from the 2000 Fleer ‘Greats Of The Game’ set, but is also tagged with the title of ‘Retrospection’.
I noticed in the GOTG logo that the card was stamped with the years 1900-2000, so I am assuming that this set was a retrospective look at the best players from 1900-2000. And it is very nice to see Johnny Bench included in a set of this kind of power.
As for the shiny Green corners, I could have done without them….
Johnny Bench 2001 Upper Deck ‘Decade Dynasties’
In 2001, Upper Deck gave us a lot of 1970′s inspired baseball card designs. The cards were bright. They were loud. And they featured a lot of movement.
And yes, they were groovy, baby!
This card of Johnny Bench comes from the 1991 Upper Deck ‘Decade Dynasties’ set. The card pays homage to the 1975 and 1976 World Series Championship winning Cincinnati Reds.
And while normally cards this loud are a bit too much for me, I really like this one.
Have a look:
Time for me to see what other Reds players were honored with a card in this set!!
Johnny Bench 2003 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Classic Souvenir Logo Patch
I would consider myself a fan of Johnny Bench. I have always admired his dedication to the game, and I like the fact that he stayed loyal to his team while the era of free agency took hold in the early 1980′s.
This is the third card that I picked up from one seller a few weeks ago on Ebay. I’ve showcased the other two (Joe Morgan and Ernie Banks) in other posts, so now it is time to give a little spotlight to Mr. Bench.
Check out the card:
While I don’t currently have the extensive collection of Johnny Bench baseball cards that I seek, I have to say that this is the first time I have ever seen a card of him while playing defense at another position other than catcher.
Yes, I knew he was used as a ‘roaver’ at times to keep his bat in the line-up but give his knees a rest from catching.
But, I have never seen a card showing him without his catcher’s mitt!!!
My keen eye tells me that this photo of him was taken while playing third base. Did you know that Bench played in 195 games, over eight seasons, while manning ‘The Hot Corner’???
Very cool – and unique too!!!
