This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2019
If you made a list of the greatest catchers in baseball history, Cincinnati's Johnny Bench would be near or at the top of it. One of the cornerstones of the "Big Red Machine" squads of the 1970s, Bench led the National League in both home runs and RBI in 1970 and 1972, taking MVP honors both times. Playing his entire 17-year career with the Reds, Bench appeared in post-season play six times, hitting at least one home run during each playoff appearance and walking away with two World Series championships. He stellar work behind the dish was equal to his superior hitting prowess, earning Gold Glove awards for ten consecutive seasons. Bench's game-used items are highly desirable to any Reds fan or Hall of Fame collector, and we are proud to be offering this game-used bat. This war club is a model B278 Louisville Slugger, measures 35 1/4" and weighs in at 33 ounces; the specs and model that Bench's last order of 1980, made on 8/21/80. This bat was originally purchased directly from the Cincinnati Reds, who sold game-used items in their gift shop in the 1970s and 80s, providing a "Collector's Certificate" that is included. Uncracked and carrying all of the earmarks of a gamer, the piece displays heavy use with ball marks, deeply embedded stitch marks, rack and cleat marks, and remnants of pine tar. Benches number "5" is written in red marker on both the knob and cupped barrel end. LOA MEARS with a grade of A10.