Johnny Bench
Johnny Bench is an American baseball player, widely considered the greatest catcher in the sport's history.
He played his entire career (1967–1983) with the Cincinnati Reds, anchoring the "Big Red Machine" teams that won back-to-back World Series in 1975 and 1976.
His name became shorthand for excellence at the position: He's no Johnny Bench, but he'll do.
Padded hand covering
- backstopBarrier behind target area
- maskFace-worn concealment
- squatCrouching on bent legs
- signalMessage-conveying cue
pitchout · block · throwdown · gun down · passed ball · wild pitch · tag out · arm strength
Institution honoring distinguished achievers
- CooperstownBaseball museum's home village
- inductionFormal admission process
- enshrinementFormal preservation as sacred
- plaqueInscribed memorial tablet
legend · ceremony · immortal · iconic · prestige · honor · timeless · hero
Baseball fielding excellence award
- fieldingHandling balls in play
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
reflexes · agility · leather · errorless · glove work · scoop · double play · range
Ohio's third-largest city
- RedsCold War political suspects
- 1970sFourth decade, twentieth century
- retired numberPermanently reserved team designation
- team captainDesignated group leader
Powerful baseball batter
- home runsHits clearing the outfield fence
- RBIRuns driven home stat
- clutch hittingHitting well under pressure
- grand slamWinning every trick
extra-base hits · cleanup hitter · long ball · walk-off · batting champion
mitt
Padded hand covering
signal · pitchout · block · throwdown · gun down · passed ball · wild pitch · tag out · arm strength · foul tip
Hall of Fame
Institution honoring distinguished achievers
- CooperstownBaseball museum's home village
- inductionFormal admission process
- enshrinementFormal preservation as sacred
plaque · legend · ceremony · immortal · iconic · prestige · honor · timeless · hero · tribute
Gold Glove
Baseball fielding excellence award
coordination · reflexes · agility · leather · errorless · glove work · scoop · double play · range · quick release
Cincinnati
Ohio's third-largest city
- RedsCold War political suspects
- 1970sFourth decade, twentieth century
- retired numberPermanently reserved team designation
slugger
Powerful baseball batter
- home runsHits clearing the outfield fence
- RBIRuns driven home stat
- clutch hittingHitting well under pressure
grand slam · extra-base hits · cleanup hitter · long ball · walk-off · batting champion
- MLB CatchersYogi Berra, Mike Piazza, Will Smith
- Baseball LegendsBabe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Lou Gehrig
- Cincinnati RedsPete Rose, Tom Seaver
- Indigenous AthletesJim Thorpe
- CincinnatiCincinnati, Cincy, Ohio River, Clifton, Hyde Park
Johnny BenchNolan Ryan
Sandy Koufax · Tom Seaver · Bob Gibson · Roger Clemens · Cy Young
Johnny BenchMike Piazza