Hall of Fame Inductee - 1989 National League Rookie of the Year - 1968 National League MVP 1970, 1972 Golden Glove Winner 1968-1977 (10 years) All-Star Selection 1968-1975

Considered by some the greatest catcher of all time, Johnny Bench got a "can't miss" tag when Peninsula of the Carolina League retired his uniform after he hammered 22 homers in 98 games as an 18 year old in 1966. In spring training of 1968, Ted Williams autographed a baseball "To Johnny Bench, a Hall of Famer for sure". Bench met expectations quickly by catching a rookie-record 154 games that season, setting a record for catchers with 40 doubles, and becoming the first catcher to win National League Rookie of the Year honors. He went on to become the National League's dominant catcher for nearly a decade and a half.

Johnny Bench - 1947 - C 1967-83 Reds 2158g, .267, 389 hr, 1376 rbi. 6 LCS, 22g, .253, 5 hr, 6 RBI 4 WS, 23 g, .279, 5hr, 14 RBI Rookie of the Year -68. Most Valuable Player-70,72. Led League-hr 70,72. Led League-RBI 70,72,74. All-Star-68-77,80,83. Gold Glove-68-77. Hall of Fame-1989.

Johnny Bench's bronze hand cast from the back. (Click on image to see larger image.)
Laser engraved signature on wood base.