Biography:Bench played in the MLB for 16 years with the Cincinnati Reds.
A 14-time All-Star selection and a two-time National League Most Valuable Player, he was a key member of The Big Red Machine, which won six division titles, four National League pennants, and two World Series championships.
He is widely considered to be the best catcher in MLB history.
1975-02-21 Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench (27) weds Vickie Chesser in Cincinnati, Ohio
1987-12-19 Retired baseball catcher Johnny Bench (40) weds Laura Cwikowski
1995-11-17 Retired MLB player Johnny Bench (47) divorces Laura Cwikowski after nearly 8 years of marriage
1997-02-01 Retired MLB player Johnny Bench (49) weds stockbroker Elizabeth Benton
Historical Events
1970-07-26 Reds catcher Johnny Bench, playing for the day in the outfield, goes 4 for 5 with 7 RBIs including 3 consecutive HRs off St. Louis Cardinals Steve Carlton in 12-5 win at Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati
1973-05-09 For 2nd time, Johnny Bench hits 3 HRs in a game
1976-10-21 Baseball World Series: defending champions Cincinnati Reds sweep NY Yankees; beat Bombers, 7-2 in Game 4 at Yankee Stadium; MVP: Reds catcher Johnny Bench
1978-07-26 Johnny Bench hits his 300th career home run
1980-07-15 Johnny Bench hits his 314th HR as a catcher which breaks Yogi Berra's record
1984-08-11 Cincinnati Reds retire Johnny Bench's #5 uniform