Johnny Bench (12/7/47) is widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in Major League Baseball history. 

Bench was a key member of the Reds' 1975 and 1976 World Series championship teams known as "The Big Red Machine."

Bench was a standout baseball player for Binger High School, in the small western Oklahoma town of Binger. His father advised him that the fastest route to the majors was being a catcher. He was drafted in the 2nd round of the '65 amateur draft and was called up in August of '67 where he hit just .163, but impressed many with his defensive prowess and strong throwing arm. Among those he impressed during his first taste of big league ball was Hall of Famer Ted Williams, who signed a baseball for him: "A Hall of Famer for sure!"

He won the '68 NL Rookie of the Year, batting .275 with 15 HRs and 82 RBIs. In his career, Bench earned 10 Gold Gloves, was the MVP in '70 & '72, and was named to the NL All-Star team 12 times. He also won the Lou Gehrig Award ('75), and the Babe Ruth Award ('76). His most dramatic home run was the 9th inning lead-off opposite field home run in the final game of the '72 NLCS vs. the Pirates. It was hailed after the game as "one of the great clutch home runs of all time."

Bench was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York in 1989, appearing on 96% of the ballots — the third-highest ever at the time.

He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 1989 and had his #5 retired.

In 1999, he ranked Number 16 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, the highest-ranking catcher, and was elected to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

Starting with the 2000 college baseball season, the best collegiate catcher annually receives the Johnny Bench Award.