Oklahoma native, and Baseball Hall of Fame catcher, Johnny Bench turns 78 on Sunday.
Considered one of the greatest catchers of all-time, Bench played his entire 17-year career with the Cincinnati Reds.
“The Binger Banger” was born in Oklahoma City on December 7th, 1947. He was a 2-sport start at Binger-Oney High School, playing both baseball and basketball, and was also class valedictorian.
The Cincinnati Reds would select 17-year-old Bench in the 2nd round of the 1965 MLB Draft. He would make his MLB debut in 1967, and his career resume is one of the best in baseball:
– a 14-time All-Star selection (1968-1980, 1983)
– 2-time World Series Champ (1975 and 1976)
– World Series MVP in ’76
– NL Rookie of the Year (1968)
– 10-time Gold Glove Award winner (1968-1977)
– 2-time MLB home run leader (1970 and 1972) – he was the 1st catcher to do so
– 3-time MLB RBI leader (1970, 1972 and 1974)
– Named to the MLB All-Century Team
– Named to the MLB All-Time Team
In 1986, Bench was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and the team retired his No. 5.
Three years later in 1989, Bench was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. He appeared on 96% of the ballots, the third-highest percentage at that time. In that same year, he became the first individual player to appear on a Wheaties box.
Bench is also a member of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.