Johnny Bench is a former professional baseball catcher. He played his whole career in the Major Leagues only for Cincinnati Reds from 1967 till the end of 1983. He is also an inductee of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Bench's ability to lead his team to victory, his exceptional performance on the field, and his record-breaking achievements have made him a baseball legend and an inspiration to many aspiring players.
Mr. Bench is a two-time National League's Most Valuable Player and has a record of winning six division titles, four National League pennants, and two World Series throughout his career. Johnny Bench was not only a remarkable player but also a team leader who helped his team to achieve great heights. During his time with the Cincinnati Reds, he played a pivotal role in leading his team to six division titles, four National League pennants, and two World Series championships.
Johnny Bench is a former baseball player who has made a significant impact on the sport. He is known not only for his skills on the field but also for his impressive net worth. Bench's estimated net worth is around $10 million, which is a testament to his successful career. He was one of the highest-paid players of his time and earned an annual salary of $400,000 during the late 1970s.
Johnny Bench with his sons on the trip. SOURCE: Instagram- @johnnybench_5 After retiring from baseball, Bench shifted his focus to other endeavors. He hosted the television series The Baseball Bunch and even appeared in a stage production of the musical Damn Yankees. In 2016, he sold his 7,300-square-foot mansion in Jupiter, FL, for $4 million. The mansion had five bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, and a stunning waterfront view. Bench had purchased the mansion in 2014 for $3.3 million. The sale of the mansion is a reflection of Bench's business acumen and his ability to invest in lucrative properties.
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Johnny Bench got married to Vickie Chesser in 1975 but unfortunately, their marriage did not last long and the former couple lived hardly for around a year and split after 1 year of their marriage. In 1987, he again tied the knot with Laura Cwikowski, an Oklahoma City model and aerobics instructor. The duo shared a son, Bobby Binger Bench. Nevertheless, the couple separated after 8 years of their marriage in 1995.
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Johnny Bench with his children SOURCE: The Palm Beach Post After the divorce, Bench and Cwikowski shared custody of their son. According to Bobby, who works in Cincinnati as a production operator on Reds broadcasts state that, "He was, and is, a great dad." Moreover, Bench's third nuptial, to Elizabeth Benton, took place in 1997. In 2000, Johnny filed for divorce on the grounds of one too many people being involved with his wife. Later, he dated Lauren Baiocchi and they exchanged vows in 2004. The couple has two children named Joshua Bench and Justin Bench.
After living in Palm Springs with their two sons, Bench had the urge to move back to South Florida, where he lived from 2014–17, so the family scouted homes in Palm Beach Gardens. In the end, Lauren concluded not to move to Florida, so she and Johnny divorced. As of now, Bench has primary custody of the boys. Johnny Bench is an avid golf fan and has played golf on the Senior PGA Tour. Further, he has performed in several Champions Tour tournaments.
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Regarded as the greatest catcher in baseball history, Jonny Bench was born on December 7, 1947, and as of July 2018, he is 70 years old. The Sagittarian American baseball catcher belongs to the white ethnicity.
Son of Ted Bench and Katy BenchJohnny grew up along with his three siblings William, Marilyn, and Teddy Bench. Growing up, Johnny Bench attended Binger High School in Binger, Oklahoma.
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Johnny Bench's career in baseball is nothing short of remarkable. He burst onto the scene in the late 1960s as a rookie for the Cincinnati Reds and quickly established himself as one of the premier catchers in the game. He won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1968 and followed that up with two Most Valuable Player Awards in 1970 and 1972, becoming the youngest player to ever win the award in 1970 at the age of 22.
Bench was known for his excellent defensive skills as a catcher, winning 10 Gold Glove Awards throughout his career. He was also an offensive force, hitting 389 home runs and driving in 1,376 runs with a career batting average of .267. He played his entire 17-year career with the Reds, helping lead them to two World Series titles in 1975 and 1976.
Bench's impact on the game of baseball cannot be overstated. He revolutionized the position of a catcher with his strong arm and ability to block pitches, and his offensive prowess set a new standard for catchers in the game. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest players to ever put on a baseball uniform.
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Johnny Bench's Hall of Fame Induction
In 1986, Johnny Bench was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. Currently, he is on the Board of Directors for the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. From 1982 to 1985, he hosted the television series "Baseball Bunch".
