- Born
- Birth nameJohnny Lee Bench
- Nickname
- Hands
- Height6′ 1″ (1.85 m)
- Johnny Bench was raised in Binger, Oklahoma, growing up farming cotton and painting propane tanks. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and in 1967 and would go on to have a Hall of Fame career including winning the National League Rookie of the Year, 2 National League MVPs and 2 World Series Championships. He is considered by many to be the best "all around" catcher in baseball history. Following his baseball career, he worked in several other industries including broadcasting, restaurants, entrepreneurship and film/television. From 1980-1985 he hosted his own educational baseball show called "The Baseball Bunch."
- IMDb mini biography by: Johnny Bench Ent.
- SpousesLauren Baiocchi(December 2004 - 2017) (divorced, 2 children)Elizabeth Benton(February 1, 1997 - 2000) (divorced, 1 child)Laura Cwikowski(December 19, 1987 - November 17, 1995) (divorced, 1 child)Vickie Chesser(February 21, 1975 - 1976) (divorced)
- Parents
- Number 5 jersey with the Cincinnati Reds
- Strong, accurate throwing arm
- Has large hands; can hold seven baseballs in each of them.
- Inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 (first baseball player so honored).
- Won the National League MVP Award in 1970 and 1972 and the World Series MVP Award in 1976.
- Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on the first ballot in 1989 with the fourth highest voting percentage ever.
- Spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Reds.
- A catcher and his body are like the outlaw and his horse. He's got to ride that nag till it drops.
- I've seldom seen a horny player walk into a bar and not let out exactly what he did for a living.
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