1980 HEADLINE: Johnny Bench Becomes All-Time Home Run Leader For Catchers!!

1980 HEADLINE: Johnny Bench Becomes All-Time Home Run Leader For Catchers!!

On this day in 1980, Johnny Bench became the all-time leader in home runs hit by a catcher.

At home, and in front of a relatively small crowd of just over 21,000 fans, Bench’s Reds team was taking on the Montreal Expos. Batting in the 6th spot in the lineup, Bench launched his historic home run in the bottom of the 5th inning off Expos’ hurler David Palmer. A solo-shot, Bench’s home run helped the Reds win the ballgame 11-7.

Johnny Bench connected for 389 home runs during his career. Currently he sits in second place on the all-time list for catchers, behind Mike Piazza.

Happy Anniversary Mr. Bench!!!

Johnny Bench 2014 Topps Archives – FAIL

Johnny Bench 2014 Topps Archives

Jeez, talk about cropping a shot closely, huh?!?!

 

I am all for the heroes of prior baseball generations being included in modern sets – hell, that is one of the main reasons that I enjoy collecting today’s products.

But, I have to assume that by now Topps has hundreds of images of Johnny Bench at its disposal.  Choosing this one was simply a bad choice.

I’m happy to have another card of Mr. Bench in my collection.  But, I would certainly pick another one over this one if I could…

Johnny Bench 2014 Topps Gypsy Queen – Base

Johnny Bench 2014 Topps Gypsy Queen – Base

One of the things that I like most about the Gypsy Queen brand of baseball cards is that Topps usually does a better job of using new images – for both older and modern players.

Now, this is not foolproof, as there has certainly been some repetition of image use.  But, I don’t find it anywhere near as much as with other Topps issues.

So, when I see a player’s name on the checklist like Johnny Bench, I get excited about the possible new image we will discover of the Hall of Famer.

I bought this card ‘on the blind’ as I had yet to see one on Ebay.  I paid just $0.18 for it – and I am very happy with that decision.

Have a look:

 

Very, very nice.

Johnny Bench 2013 Topps – 1972 mini

Johnny Bench 2013 Topps  – 1972 mini

WHAT AN IMAGE!!!

 

Topps hit it out of the park on this one.  Not only is the image used on this card of Johnny Bench from the 1972 mini subset that was part of the 2013 Topps flagship brand a perfect blast back to Bench’s MVP days, but the way that it shows off his vintage catcher’s gear is outstanding.

Just look at what he is wearing – and compare it to today’s catching gear.

Between the chest protector, the mask, the helmet, and the glove, baseball equipment has come a very long way.  And while I will always choose old-school over modern, I am happy to see that our players today are better protected and cared for – very few of today’s catchers would wear what Bench was wearing in the early 1970’s.

1989 Headline: Johnny Bench & Carl Yastrzemski Voted Into National Baseball Hall Of Fame

1989 Headline: Johnny Bench & Carl Yastrzemski Voted Into National Baseball Hall Of Fame

On this day in 1989 both Johnny Bench and Carl Yastrzemski were voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ironically, both players spend their entire big league careers playing for just one team.

Johnny Bench was a Rookie of the Year winner, multiple time All-Star, multiple time Gold Glove winner, 2-time MVP, and 2-time World Series Champion, Bench did it all during his remarkable 17-season major league career.

Carl Yastrzemski put up some unreal stats – The stats : 3,419 hits, 452 home runs, 1,844 RBI, 1,816 runs scored, 168 stolen bases, and a career batting average of .285.  In Yaz’s 23-year career, he finished in the Top 20 for the MVP award 12 times, while earning the award in 1967 with his .326/44/121 performance.

Congratulations Gentlemen!!!

Johnny Bench 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter – Base

Johnny Bench 2013 Topps Allen & Ginter – Base

What a nice card.

I like the different angle of the image that was used.

And I have to say that I could very easily see the bat swapped out with the golf club, which I believe is something that Mr. Bench would really, really enjoy.

 

FORE!!!!

Johnny Bench’s Highly Collectible 1968 Topps Rookie Card

Johnny Bench’s Highly Collectible 1968 Topps Rookie Card

I don’t know a single collector that would turn down a chance to own a Johnny Bench rookie card.

I also don’t know a single collector that has one.

And now that I really think about it, I cannot say that I have ever seen one of these beauties from the 1968 set in person.

Lucky for me the internet offers us opportunities to sit back and drool over what we cannot have.

And this is one of those situations…

Nice, Very Nice!!!

Johnny Bench And The Hall Of Fame Class Of 1989

Johnny Bench And The Hall Of Fame Class Of 1989

One of the most obvious choices for first ballot entry into the Hall of Fame, Johnny Bench’s baseball resume looks like a blue-print for induction at Cooperstown.

A Rookie of the Year winner, multiple time All-Star, multiple time Gold Glove winner, 2-time MVP, and 2-time World Series Champion, Bench did it all during his remarkable 17-season major league career.

So, where does he rank in the voter’s eyes?

Good question, huh?  I’ll tell you where he ranks…  it’s right here!!!  Below is a chart that shows you the highest voting percentages for Hall of Fame induction in the history of the game…

Rank	Player	Year	Ballots	Votes	%	Position
1	Tom Seaver	1992	430	425	98.84%	P
2	Nolan Ryan	1999	497	491	98.79%	P
3	Cal Ripken, Jr.	2007	545	537	98.53%	SS
4	Ty Cobb	1936	226	222	98.23%	CF
5	George Brett	1999	497	488	98.19%	3B
6	Hank Aaron	1982	415	406	97.83%	RF
7	Tony Gwynn	2007	545	532	97.61%	RF
8	Mike Schmidt	1995	460	444	96.52%	3B
9	Johnny Bench	1989	447	431	96.42%	C
10	Steve Carlton	1994	455	436	95.82%	P
11	Babe Ruth	1936	226	215	95.13%	RF
11	Honus Wagner	1936	226	215	95.13%	SS
13	Willie Mays	1979	432	409	94.68%	CF
14	Carl Yastrzemski	1989	447	423	94.63%	LF
15	Bob Feller	1962	160	150	93.75%	P

So, now we know the answer to that question:  Johnny Bench Has The 9th Highest Percentage Of Votes For Hall Of Fame Induction!!!

Johnny Bench’s Fantastic Autograph

Johnny Bench’s Fantastic Autograph

If a player could teach a ‘How To Sign’ class, Johnny Bench could easily be the professor.

His signature is crisp, clear, and almost perfectly executed each time.  In fact, of all of the Bench signatures I have seen both in person and online, I have to say that I have never seen a bad one.

Written in a very clean script, his autograph is easy to read while offering just enough flare to bring a smile to the recipient’s face.

I once read that as a kid growing up, Bench used to practice his signature repeatedly so he got accustomed to the same look and feel each and every time he signed.  He took a lot of pride in his signature, and wanted the recipients to be pleased with what he offered.

I have two in my collection, and if I have my way, more will follow.

Here is just one example of the perfection that Bench offers up:

Johnny Bench And His 1975 & 1976 World Series Championships

Johnny Bench And His 1975 & 1976 World Series Championships

As the anchor of the mighty ‘Big Red Machine’, Bench helped take the Cincinnati Reds to the pinnacle of the sport during the post-seasons of 1975 and 1976.

And he did it in grand fashion…

In 1975, the Reds topped the Red Sox in 7 games  Bench rung up just a .207 batting average, but was responsible for driving in 4 crucial runs.  And in 1976, he dominated the Yankees.  In a 4-game sweep, he hit .533 while collecting 6 RBI, scoring 4 runs, and smashing 2 home runs.  His efforts in ’76 earned him the World Series MVP award.