Johnny Bench - Legends
One of Major League Baseball’s greats, Hall of Famer catcher Johnny Bench made a “legendary” appearance at the Brandon Golf Course on Friday.
Bench was one of a variety of sports greats to take part in the HyVee/Sanford Legends, which has raised millions of dollars to support local youth athletes and programs. A portion of the proceeds have benefitted Brandon Valley football and basketball programs.
Bench was bestowed honors of firing the gun Friday from the perch of the BGC patio, signaling the start of play. As he took aim, Bench joked, “Not one pheasant in the whole place,” and then fired.
Much to his surprise, the shot-gun start signal has a delayed “bang.”
“What a candy-ass …” Bench began to say.
“Oh, that’s better,” he added, followed by a chuckle. (To see the Bench’s video shotgun start, check out brandonvalleyjournal.com)
He is one of a variety of sports legends to make an appearance at the BGC over the last several years. Past legends have included Minnesota Twins’ Jack Morris, NBA star Ralph Sampson and South Dakota native, Mike Miller, who went on to play and coach in the NBA.
After firing the gun Friday, Bench shook hands and took keepsake photos with 96 golfers in Brandon.
Hall of Fame athletes, World Series champions, NCAA All-Americans and Olympic medalists are among the 12 celebrities who took part in this year’s Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends, which took place June 13-26 at venues around Sioux Falls.
The Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends program provides learning opportunities for young student-athletes to grow and be inspired through different sporting clinics and camps. Each year, celebrity athletes who represent the Legends goals—quality, integrity and character—are brought to Sioux Falls.
Among the Legends taking part in the banquet, clinics and golf tournament were: Bill Walton, Hall of Fame center (basketball); Kirk Hinrich, NBA guard, NCAA All-American (basketball); Johnny Bench, Hall of Fame catcher (baseball); Kent Hrbek, two-time World Series champion (baseball); Tim Laudner, World Series champion (baseball); Kyle Rudolph, Pro Bowl tight end (football); Chad Greenway, former Pro Bowl NFL linebacker (football); Gigi Marvin, Olympic gold medalist (hockey); Ryan Bader, Bellator Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion (wrestling); Courtney Thompson, two-time Olympic medalist, NCAA champion (volleyball); Butch Lumpkin, motivational speaker, golf and tennis athlete (golf); and Ben Nguyen, MMA fighter (martial arts).
Bench’s path to the Majors was first inspired by his father, who told him at a young age that catching was the surest way to the major leagues. From a rural town in Oklahoma, this valedictorian of Binger High School and all-state basketball player would go on to be considered “Baseball’s Greatest Catcher”, leading the Cincinnati Reds to back-to-back World Series Championships.
As a member of the Big Red Machine through the 1970’s, Bench revolutionized the catching position in many ways and set the standard for future generations of backstops by earning 10 consecutive Gold Gloves. A strong arm and durable build made him a formidable defender behind the plate, but his at bats made him that much more dangerous as he would collect 389 home runs and 1,376 RBIs, which both stand as franchise records in Cincinnati.
Bench retired in 1983, leaving behind one of the most prolific careers ever established by a catcher, setting a course for Cooperstown where he would be inducted on his first ballot to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Success did not end on the field. Bench went on to establish numerous business ventures, charitable initiatives and entertainment appearances, all of which he continues to pursue today. He now resides in Southern Florida with his two sons, Justin and Josh, but always takes time to support organizations such as Hope for the Warriors, USA Cares, Bobby Nichols Foundation and more.
In the heart of Grapefruit League Spring Training, he remains involved in the game visiting many organizations and mentoring the next catchers of America’s national pastime. Each year, he tries to attend both the Reds and National Hall of Fame inductions, serving as a continued ambassador of the game.
Minor League Player of the Year, 1967
At the age of 19, Bench recorded 70 assists as a catcher, and led the Buffalo Bisons with 23 home runs and 68 RBIs during the 1967 season. Bench would later be called up to make his major league debut on August 28, 1967.
National League Rookie of the Year, 1968
The first catcher to ever earn such honors, Bench caught 154 games in his first full season and made his defensive dominance known early with a .991 Fielding Percentage next to 102 assists. He would also finish third on the team in homeruns behind “Big Bopper” Lee May and fellow Hall of Famer Tony Perez, all of whom drove in 80-plus RBIs.
1970 and 1972 National League MVP
With two seasons leading the league in home runs, RBIS and sacrifice flies, while catching 100-plus games, Bench joined catching legend Roy Campanella as the only pair of backstops to win multiple Most Valuable Player awards. During both of these seasons, the Cincinnati Reds went on to win the National League Championship.
10X Gold Glove
Credited with pioneering the hinged catcher’s glove, Bench revolutionized the catcher position with one-handed catching. He was later recognized by Rawlings Gold Glove with a Lifetime Achievement Award and named to the All-Time Gold Glove Team.
Lou Gehrig Award, 1975
This award is presented annually to the Major League Baseball player who both on and off the field best exemplifies the character of Lou Gehrig.
Babe Ruth Award, 1976
Given the World Series Most Valuable Player Award as decided by the editors of Sport Magazine, Bench won for slugging 1.133 and driving in six while sweeping the Yankees.
The Hutch Award, 1981
Ranked as one of the top annual awards given to an MLB player, is nominated by each MLB team that exemplifies the fighting spirit of the legendary leader Fred Hutchinson.
MORE PHOTOS OF JOHNNY LEGEND CAN BE FOUND IN OUR PHOTO GALLERY OR AT THIS LINK
