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Johnny Bench
Cincinnati Reds Legend Q. Did you feel like there was a lot of pressure on you during your career to always put up all-star caliber numbers?
A. Absolutely. That is what drives you. You have to have something inside of you that starts every year. You have to be the one setting your own goals, trying to achieve those goals. There is no such thing as complacency when you're playing on a team. You really need to do your job and you can't really do more than your job. So, with respect to all-star numbers, I had high expectations. So, yeah, I can say I always set my expectations so high that I had a lot to live up to. Q. What is it like to be known as one of the if not the greatest catcher to ever play baseball?
A. Well, it was good because again, I had high expectations. I thought I wanted to be the best. There's no sense trying to be the best. I was valedictorian of my junior high and senior high classes. So, that's the thing too. You've got to set your expectations as high in school or in whatever you do. And you should expect the people around you to do the same thing. So they should do their job in a quality way. No different from what you're doing. If you're going to write this article, it's got to be the best article that you can make it. Q. What was it like to be part of the Big Red Machine?
A. Ah. You know, when you can play with the greatest players of that particular era, you look forward to going to the ballpark. I mean, you thought it was great to be there in the clubhouse. You thought it was great to be on the field. These guys were the best. They were the best at their positions and made playing the game easier. And at the same time it made it so much more enjoyable. You know, winning's not everything, but losing is nothing. Q. Who did you look up to as a role model when you were a kid?
Mickey Mantle. Was there anybody else? Q. What was the funniest moment in your professional baseball career?
A. I think it was Ken Griffey, Sr. celebrating after we won the World Series. I think it was seeing grown men, the whole team, acting like kids again. There's nothing better. There is so much joy in what you do. When you look back at it, it really was funny. Winning, I could make a habit out of that. Q. What is your favorite ice cream flavor?
A. Raspberry chocolate chip. Q. What is your favorite car?
A. I never fell in love with a car. Pickup truck, anything that gets you there. Q. Who do you think are the top catchers in the game today?
A. Everyone who puts on a uniform. They're all that good. Well, you know, Pudge Rodriguez, obviously is as good as it gets. But, anybody that's out there in a major league uniform is outstanding cause I know what they've been through to get to that level and no one will ever give them that credit. So, here today, you and I are going to give them credit. |
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