Johnny Bench: podcast appearances and interviews

Johnny Lee Bench, born December 7, 1947, is an American former professional baseball player who played his entire Major League Baseball career with the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983. Primarily known as a catcher, he was a key member of the Reds team known as the Big Red Machine, which dominated the National League in the mid-1970s with six division titles, four league pennants, and two World Series championships. Bench was a fourteen-time All-Star and a two-time National League Most Valuable Player. He excelled both offensively and defensively, leading the majors in home runs twice and in runs batted in three times; at the time of his retirement, he held the major league record for most home runs by a catcher. His 45 home runs in 1970 set a single-season record for catchers that stood until 2021 and remains the National League record. Bench accumulated 389 home runs and 1,376 RBIs, the most in Cincinnati Reds history. His defensive prowess is highlighted by ten Gold Glove Awards, recognizing his skill in handling pitching staffs and his accurate throwing arm. He caught 100 or more games for 13 consecutive seasons and was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1986. Bench entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 and has been recognized on several all-time great teams, with ESPN describing him as the greatest catcher in baseball history.