Player Profile: Johnny Bench

Name:	Johnny Lee Bench
Catcher; Right-handed hitter
Lived:	1947 -
Career span:	1967 - 1983
Hall of Fame?	Yes (1989)
Primary teams:	Cincinnati Reds (entire career)
Best Year:	1970: .293 batting average, 45 HR, 148 RBI
Major Awards:	NL Rookie of the Year, 1968 NL MVP: 1970, 1972 World Series MVP: 1976 Gold Glove: 10 times (1968-1977) 14 times All Star
Rank on Greatest Players list:	14th

Player notes : Bench hit the Major Leagues in spectacular style in 1968 at age 20, making the All Star team in his first season and winning the Rookie of the Year award. He won his first MVP award two years later at age 22, and was widely recognized as one of the greatest catchers ever even while he was still playing.

He was a mainstay of the great "Big Red Machine" teams of the 1970s, playing on four National League pennant winners and two World Championship teams.

Regarded by many as the best defensive catcher ever and a potent offensive force as well, Johnny Bench has a secure place among baseball's all time greats.