December 7, 1947

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=4dKW...&feature=share

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

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Krank

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/h...ay_lineups.jsp

I sure miss the days when the Reds contended for the division title nearly every season.

That's certainly a group of all stars, no doubt.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KeithKSR

'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/h...ay_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.