View Full Version : December 7, 1947
UKFlounder
12-07-2017, 12:10 PM
It’s not a Pearl Harbor 3v3nt, but on this date My favorite athlete, Johnny Bench, was born. I only saw the last few years of his career, but he’s still my favorite ever. The attached video shows my favorite in-person sports moment ever, his home run on Johnny Bench night in 1984. I was in the red seats and remember wanting to. Uh the home run ball from the gift shop, as if it would be for sale, LOL. . I still want to tear up 2h3n I watch and remember this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dKW3k8oL4w&feature=share
KSRBEvans
12-07-2017, 02:48 PM
The pride of Binger, Oklahoma. My favorite, too. My 1st year of Little League was 1972, I was a catcher and also a Reds fan, so Johnny Bench was like a superhero to me.
I'm biased, but I think he's the GOAT at his position. He basically revolutionized it, going to a more athletic, one-hand style, and in his early days he could hit as well as he caught.
Maybe my favorite Bench moment (combined with 1 of my favorite Reds moments):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rrOqXahuTg
Krank
12-07-2017, 03:10 PM
Unquestionably the greatest catcher ever. All you had to do was watch him.
I was lucky enough to get to see Game 3 of the '75 Series at Riverfront. Felt like I had been a big Reds fan since birth, even at that time, but the '75-'76 Reds were the greatest baseball teams to ever walk Planet Earth, so it was a magical time.
I never could pick a favorite Red, though, because there were SO many great players to be into.
I can still rattle off that lineup, top to bottom, at the drop of a hat. I seem to recall Cesar Geronimo, batting 8th, averaging exactly .300 in '75 (or '76 possibly).
But just watching Bench on D was a thing of beauty. You couldn't steal on him unless Morgan or Concepcion made a misstep... but those two were incredible at their positions too. Concepcion belongs in the Hall, but I digress.
I bet I saw Bench jack somewhere in the range of 5-7 homers over all the live games I attended in my youth. I was lucky with him, but then there was Perez, who was insanely clutch, so maybe I am throwing some of his onto Bench in my fading memory.
KeithKSR
12-09-2017, 03:46 PM
Unquestionably the greatest catcher ever. All you had to do was watch him.
I was lucky enough to get to see Game 3 of the '75 Series at Riverfront. Felt like I had been a big Reds fan since birth, even at that time, but the '75-'76 Reds were the greatest baseball teams to ever walk Planet Earth, so it was a magical time.
I never could pick a favorite Red, though, because there were SO many great players to be into.
I can still rattle off that lineup, top to bottom, at the drop of a hat. I seem to recall Cesar Geronimo, batting 8th, averaging exactly .300 in '75 (or '76 possibly).
But just watching Bench on D was a thing of beauty. You couldn't steal on him unless Morgan or Concepcion made a misstep... but those two were incredible at their positions too. Concepcion belongs in the Hall, but I digress.
I bet I saw Bench jack somewhere in the range of 5-7 homers over all the live games I attended in my youth. I was lucky with him, but then there was Perez, who was insanely clutch, so maybe I am throwing some of his onto Bench in my fading memory.
'76 opening day lineup:
1976
NamePos.
1. Pete Rose3B
2. Ken GriffeyRF
3. Joe Morgan2B
4. Johnny BenchC
5. Tony Perez1B
6. George FosterLF
7. Dave ConcepcionSS
8. Cesar GeronimoCF
9. Gary NolanP
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/history/opening_day_lineups.jsp
I sure miss the days when the Reds contended for the division title nearly every season.
suncat05
12-09-2017, 03:58 PM
That's certainly a group of all stars, no doubt.
Darrell KSR
12-10-2017, 01:09 PM
'76 opening day lineup:
1976
NamePos.
1. Pete Rose3B
2. Ken GriffeyRF
3. Joe Morgan2B
4. Johnny BenchC
5. Tony Perez1B
6. George FosterLF
7. Dave ConcepcionSS
8. Cesar GeronimoCF
9. Gary NolanP
http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/cin/history/opening_day_lineups.jsp
I sure miss the days when the Reds contended for the division title nearly every season.Remember those days well. Great lineup. And this is from a St. Louis fan.
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