Reds Hall of Famer Johnny Bench on the "Buster Posey Rule" | The Rich Eisen Show | 7/17/18

[@milochanel9491]

This is how ex-players should be. Johnny Bench not trying to be better than anyone or maintain his relevancy through running his mouth. Just loves watching all the young kids trying his best jus like he did back in the day. That’s how the real greats carry themselves.

[@vanmoody]

My Grandpa used to love The Big Red Machine. He really loved Bench.

[@desertdogg9773]

The painful truth bench hates Rose

[@OmahaRiverDonkey]

@@desertdogg9773Not true if we take what they've said over the years at face value. They were very different but they respected and "liked" each other as teammates.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

@@desertdogg9773 bench does not hate rose. there is an uneasiness between them.

[@sthubbins4038]

Man, I could listen to him talk for hours, I had no idea he was still this sharp.

[@paulsenconnor]

I could listen to Johnny Bench talk baseball all day every day💯

[@KevinWindsor1971]

Why did they call Johnny Manziel Johnny Football? Because Johnny Bench was already taken.

[@happyharper5494]

KJ 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂. I love it

[@martyyoung3611]

Bravo!

[@dannycasserly697]

Johnny Free Agent

[@roberthickerty390]

Bwahaha

[@MrMW2nd]

That's the name of his family tho

[@davanmani556]

I like how Johnny keeps up with today’s players.

[@kawasakiwhiptwo5821]

I like that too Davan, and I'm not a huge baseball fan.

[@whiterabbit-wo7hw]

Davan, that's because of the love he has for baseball.

[@Kruppt808]

@@whiterabbit-wo7hw very true, I think the late great Vin Scully was like that as well. Guys who just love talking about it, playing, just being around it.

[@qweenzgrimyest]

Still Sharp at his age, I would listen to him call a game over Joe Buck

[@abelincoln5698]

He called Reds games for a season or two and was really good at it. He just didn't want to travel with a team all summer long. He was a natural though

[@qweenzgrimyest]

@@abelincoln5698 that's awesome. ESPN needs to get him on instead of Tim kurkjin

[@KitchenerLeslie2]

He’s 71 ya nutbag. If someone’s not sharp at 71, that’s not normal, not an exception.

[@qweenzgrimyest]

@@KitchenerLeslie2 I didnt say it as an insult you twat. Have you seen some of these athletes post retirement? Doesnt matter the sport, they usually don't fair to well.

[@santiperez1256]

Lol damn, not many people like Joe Buck, including myself

[@Tunanocrust1]

Did not expect him to say JD Martinez but respect to him keeping up with the game

[@abelincoln5698]

I grew up a half hour away from Riverfront Stadium in the 70s and Johnny Bench was something like a superhero to kids around here. He was on tv shows, Wheaties boxes, commercials, and doing things on the field that nobody else could do. He was beyond celebrity

[@michaelreynolds3592]

We grew up around the Dayton/Springboro area... Dad sold Cadillacs to some of the Reds. I remember Dan Dreisen and Ken Griffey taking mom and dad out for a nice dinner at aplace called Neil's somewhere near Cinci. But Griffey didnt like us kids not being able to go... that weekend dad, my brothers and I found ourselves behind the dugout, with all the free hot dogs I could eat. That man, who was the best catcher of history, came in after the stretch and looked at my brother and said... "Someone get that boy my bat!!!"

[@enniswhalen2428]

King R -- Hey! Pure ,100% baseball player!

[@rickkopfler8447]

The Reds weren’t even a team until 1881, Johnny Bench didn’t play until 1967 and Riverfront didn’t open until 1970.

[@philipreed43]

That Altuve comment didn’t age well

[@bobdole4916]

Can't fault him for that though.

[@flamingbull3438]

☠☠☠

[@verde7595]

Altuve had already won several batting titles before the Astros cheated. Guy's still fun to watch.

[@BVonBuescher]

Nope. Altuve missin that can

[@happyharper5494]

Does anyone remember watching “The Baseball Bunch” in the 80’s with Johnny Bench? God, I loved that show

[@joshuahymer15]

Yea man

[@dzanier]

i do.

[@1515gator1]

Tommy Lasorda as the Baseball Wizard.

[@civlyzed]

Loved that show as a kid!

[@jamesanthony5681]

Yes. Johnny Bench and the San Diego chicken. Good show.

[@okrajoe]

Those 70s Reds were amazing

[@jamesmcdowelljr1441]

Yes they were

[@gynandroidhead]

Greatest starting infield of all time in 1975-76

[@vichedges8858]

The A's were better

[@TheElmasv74]

@@gynandroidhead better than Cey, Russell, Lopez, and Garvey?

[@gynandroidhead]

@@TheElmasv74 Not even close. Two Hall of Fame players and one which would be if he didn't get banned, and Concepcion who had over 2,300 hits and had a glove at SS, if you include Bench - up your HOF count to three.. Mark Teixeira, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez, and Jorge Posada is also way up there. The 1930's Detroit Tigers had Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer, and Mickey Cochrane in their infield.

[@johnkidd1226]

As a pitcher/first baseman, I think Bench and catchers in general were the most underrated players and position in baseball.

[@ShawnC.T.]

Proud to be from Cincinnati, and growing up watching this guy work his magic in the batters box, and behind the plate. It was certainly a pleasure to be able to witness it...

[@alvinwagner6745]

Love what he said about Trout. “ Hit a home run puts his head down “ Old school.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Agreed.

[@PiperAtTheGatesOfYourMom]

TowwerN3 i agree that the unwritten rules meant to not hurt the pitchers feelings are stupid. I love a good bat flip, a cool handshake and just having fun. Its supposed to be entertaining. But its also cool to see one of the best players not turn into someone like harper.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@PiperAtTheGatesOfYourMom It goes both ways, however. I don't think the hitters would like it much if the pitchers were to show up hitters after a strikeout. Al Hrabosky comes quickly to mind, and hitters as I recall didn't like his act. I don't have a problem if a batter shows joy after a walk-off homerun, or one that breaks up a tight game, but at least show SOME restraint.

[@ethanweeter2732]

I do respect that. Joey Votto is mostly that way. He does hot dog, but in a classy way.

[@Feanor026]

And like all the Giants players for years now.

[@damonwatt4420]

What’s great is how Bench says how he stood in front of home plate so the runners would slide. Go watch the play where Posey gets hurt and you will say how Posey does that same thing yet Cousins still goes after him.

[@mikeforte7585]

Ur right about Cousins going after Posey....that play was total BS...Cousins went out of his way to get Posey...

[@ethanweeter2732]

I think Buster was still blocking it though. Johnny did not really block it. Back then though, you always ran into the catcher if he blocked the plate. Why Pete should never be hated for what he did to Ray Fossie.

[@claytonreid996]

@@ethanweeter2732 Not really, if you watch Posey's plate defense, even today, he always as one foot planted just to the outside or inside of the 3rd base line, which forces the runner to slide, but generally speaking keeps his legs as safe as they can be. The slide that injured him was borderline horizontal at like a 50 degree angle, and it seems like he intentionally did it to get posey's ankle. But, its also no secret a lot of players in the NL were not uber fond of Buster. He's quiet and dominant and old school and takes no bs from no one. Its the reason Bench likes Posey and Poseys fav player is bench

[@PaisaSteve]

@@ethanweeter2732 he was outside of the lane. Cousins went after him to try and have him drop the ball. Cousins didn’t intend to hurt him but he definitely was going after him

[@alejandramontano3190]

Only, that wasn’t a slide… Cousins barreled into him.

[@jimpinney]

More impressed with Mr. Bench every time I see him.

[@chowfun6526]

Way to go Johnny. You're the best.

[@Tungoon]

Still have my Johnny Bench Batter up hitting set from the 70s love him !!!

[@anthonyriche552]

That's awesome!! I used to have VHS of the Baseball Bunch with Bench from the 80s.

[@gallonthegreat7036]

Love his passion for the game n hes so up to date man... Makes me smile knowing legends stay humble

[@ShooterSanoff]

NO KNEE SURGERIES... Wow

[@unclefester1840]

Shooter Sanoff it's that blue emu....

[@paulstella8443]

Uncle Fester - 😂

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

it was the lung surgery that bench had in 1972 that hurt bench. after 1972,bench's throw to 2nd was not quite as good as before 1972.

[@JoeBoomerMusic]

My first thought. How the hell does he have knees like that?

[@BravoWhiskey0909]

@@JoeBoomerMusic and then at the end he mentions a knee surgery he had

[@donedeal286]

Johnny Bench makes me smile...great memories, I miss old school baseball

[@bradleye3108]

My little sister, 13, was dying of leukemia and Bench called her in her hospital room in 1980 and made her day. I will always love that guy!!

[@MaestroDawg65]

I could listen to Johnny Bench talk baseball for weeks on end. What knowledge! What enthusiasm! A true treasure of America's Game.

[@jamesanthony5681]

When Johnny was a rookie in 1968, he played like a veteran. Such a smart player.

[@wilrobles5392]

My favorite catcher of all time, Johnny Bench.

[@Anthony-hu3rj]

@Jeremy Marsh A senseless comment.

[@mrkneel5760]

Wil Robles true! Yogi Gets the number two nod, for skills and quotes!

[@wilrobles5392]

Anthony You probably didn’t see Johnny play. I did. He was great.

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

@@wilrobles5392 i saw bench at crosley. he was the best.

[@indupacs.a.6215]

What an interview ! Keep the good work and my best wishes to great Johnny Bench!!

[@peterjeffery8495]

I've been a huge fan of Johnny B since his rookie year. There's no better guest when it comes to talking baseball. Morgan was part of the Big Red Blur of talent that swamped us all back in the day and maybe didn't get his due. He was one of the smartest players I ever saw and his inside knowledge of the game made him a damn good play by play analyst.

[@moss8448]

a real pleasure hearing one of the greats talking baseball...good post...thanks.

[@mpjjoker]

Look up the word legend in the dictionary and there’s a picture of Johnny Bench

[@fenwaypark1725]

Mark Jester look up God and Ted Williams is smiling

[@jeffreytoman5202]

Every great catcher is measured against bench.

[@Wes-pq4pl]

All the people that talk crap on Gary Sanchez apparently know more about catching than Johnny Bench.

[@captainmorgan8691]

Jonny Bench should have his own radio show

[@abelincoln5698]

Johnny Bench was something like a super hero to kids like me who grew up around the Cincinnati area I the 70s. He was a TV show host , on cereal boxes, commercials, and could do things on the field that nobody else could do.

[@slugcult-10_years_and]

I love Johnny Bench. When he talks baseball, you learn something And I love him even more when he says something like this! --> 5:09

[@kenarthur6253]

I could listen to Johnny Bench talk all day and night.

[@seanbush5056]

Johnny is so sharp, crazy he never went into managing. Seems like he'd have been perfect, he knows the game inside & out, backwards forwards & sideways. Obviously, there have been many great catchers to have played the game, but I don't think there's any serious argument against him being the best. Phenomenal ballplayer & mind.

[@robertray3746]

Grew up in Ohio in the 70s Johnny Bench has always been one of my favorite players a real class act

[@lifetimevents3726]

I enjoyed watching johnny Bench, Randy Hundley and Thurman Munson catch they were awesome 👍😎 my heroes growing up

[@davidscott7626]

Bench is a class act all the way.

[@carbonbiker]

Johnny Bench is the epitome of a Hall of Fame player. He was excellent.

[@hereigoagain04]

What a segment! Wow!

[@iblizzard7573]

What a classy guy. Great interview sad I didn't find it earlier

[@nickcupkovic5721]

Love Johnny bench As a kid he was incredibly entertaining

[@jorgemacias2785]

Had two favorite players growing up: Johnny Bench in the National league and Nolan Ryan in the American League,

[@bryanevans2171]

Good Oklahoma boy right there, my dad played against him in high school

[@jomama969]

Dude didn’t even mention Harper lol I love it

[@Noble1271]

because he's not even worth mentioning

[@GabeMacDonnell]

Av3nged OPS+ 209, strikeout rate 15%, OBP .471, SLG .676, 16 RBI, 6 HR

[@Noble1271]

@@GabeMacDonnell and he's still trash. go back to trimming your mullet and leaving a team for them to do MUCH better once you leave.

[@GabeMacDonnell]

Av3nged your use of pronouns is special. Never change, man!

[@Noble1271]

@@GabeMacDonnell I won't. just like Harper's average value never will. Philly fans man. fuckin delusional.

[@Kruppt808]

So refreshing to here a reasonable conversation by a player of an older generation. Ty JB.

[@vincentrobinson3078]

Although I have always been a Phillies fan , I always loved Bench’s style of play and field generalship. And like Yogi Berra, he was small for a catcher, but an extremely effective player.

[@whiterabbit-wo7hw]

I loved watching Johnny Bench. To me, he was the BEST catcher of the time he played. I remember seeing him hold 5 baseballs in his hand. Not HANDS! But HAND! He was, and still is, a ture professional.

[@samjohnson3899]

Man that Red's team was stacked. Those were the days man 60's -80's or 90's man look at the talent those teams had

[@shaughnziech2193]

As Joe Garagiola said, no pitcher ever looked wild with Johnny Bench.

[@keithcampbell7820]

Part of what made the Machine great. They had arguably had some of the best minds in baseball. Bench, Morgan, Rose, Perez and Sparky. If I’ve missed someone, apologies.

[@stevegarcia3731]

Very informative and cool. You always had to respect Johnny Bench and HOW many others on the big Red Machine. It is totally good to get inside his head a bit. The one Red I respected the most was Tony Perez. THE guy I would want at the plate to drive in a needed run, of all hitters of all time. Him and Pete and Joe and Johnny, WOW. What a nucleus.

[@chrisjuliano3964]

I never had any knee surgeries.....Turns to camera, holds up a tube of Blue Emu and smiles.

[@bluefalcon3ID]

Great video

[@ganjaninjaa7324]

Watching this in 2021 MOOOKIE😎

[@fredapeeples6619]

I met Mr. Bench once. I regret it. He has huge hands, I'll give him that. Great ballplayer, too. Not the friendliest man I ever met. I was only 12. He actually frightened me.

[@jackfellzz5504]

Best catcher in history of the game

[@colin3472]

this is a man who knows the game. i love it

[@tomitstube]

excellent points by johnny, blocking the plate doesn't get you anything but injuries. you're stationary, you think you're going to stop a 200 lb ball of muscle coming at you at 15 mph? you block the plate and the runner is trying to hurt you. it's a good rule.

[@alsacrime4806]

Well they are not coming in at the speed of a miler.

[@1guitar12]

Vincent Cuttolo So what’s the right way a-then?

[@Nuschler22]

Buster was standing in front of home plate. Cousins had the whole plate visible and he changed his direction and purposely hit Buster "to jar the ball loose."

[@PaisaSteve]

The fact that people blame Buster for “ruining the game” is completely unfair. Cousins caused that whole situation.

[@joegti10]

i wanna see more of johnny bench commentating baseball

[@dustinharrison3491]

Damn, I could sit down with Johnny Bench and talk baseball for hours.

[@josevidz]

1:09 facts bruh.

[@Mark-lm1oq]

Very knowledgeable and one hell of a player. He is right about Trout!

[@jupiteral8217]

saw the Big Red Machine as a kid at Wrigley. batting practice with the likes of Bench, Foster and Morgan was a home run derby. There were 9 HRs in the game, 4 by the Cubs and 5 by the Reds. Cubs won 10-9

[@kelliebrooks9094]

Thanks rich

[@coleton2144]

Johnny such a legend man

[@mikeyoungblood1642]

Bless Johnny Bench! He was the heart & soul of the Big Red Machine

[@mrkrharris]

Love you Johnny, I use to play penny poker with you at the Dorches before you played for the San Juan Senators in San Juan. Karen was making carpet from carpet squares... We played sand lot baseball, and you hit it so far we wouldnt go get it. Great memories for me.. One game, you me and Jerry, were coming home from the game, old man and old lady came into our lane, and you threw Karens hair curlers at them to get them straight ..in Jerrys 64 Olds.. ... Good times.

[@ToofToof1]

I remember that

[@mrkrharris]

@@ToofToof1 No one ever believed me. Ya, you knew Bench . Always wonder with his past if he remembered those days.

[@willzsportscards]

"Altuve is great! It's like he knows what the pitcher is throwing. Uncanny feel for the game!"

[@5somegolf]

no knee surgeries jesus christ. I had my first torn meniscus at 14 😂😂

[@jeffreymcfadden9403]

remember, bench had lung surgery in 1972. i do not know if he ever fully recovered.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@jeffreymcfadden9403 Johnny said he was never quite the same after that surgery. No more 40 HR seasons, no more MVP's. Still, he put up some good numbers after that..

[@johnconway9882]

Skip to 3:30 if you want to get to "Buster Posey Rule" question right away.

[@pavlovsworld9122]

Right about JD🍻🍻

[@KevyB1990]

Greatest catcher ever.

[@doeyjiaz4798]

Im not surprised he has his own Scotch. Reminds me of my Dad talkin ball in the backyard, and my Dad loves his scotch!

[@bradgaines]

Legend.

[@adamtownsend7829]

I miss Joe Morgan and Jon Miller Sunday night baseball..

[@6debbie12]

He’s right about JD. He’s one of the best hitters in the game

[@bcask61]

GOAT.

[@Shinobi33]

I agree Trout

[@martyyoung3611]

I always tell kids to get out in front of the plate or you'll get run over.

[@cozm0859]

I wonder how much he loves Altuve now?...

[@williamhauser7156]

The whole big red machine should be in the hall of fame. Especially Pete Rose.

[@jimd2463]

GOAT

[@NothingToPointOut24]

If that injury happened to a backup veteran catcher, instead of the top catching prospect of the game, the rule would've never been changed.

[@CronoXpono]

Unfortunately. That’s the game and most mediums of entertainment. The Brady rule happened because it was Tom Brady.

[@jamesanthony5681]

That's true. Most sports want to protect their stars.

[@jeffreyaclark8246]

Goat

[@candykanefpv98]

In little league with contact at the plate I was a wall. I knew how to take contact from really large guys hitting me from hockey and they'd run into me and fall flat on their ass like they ran headfirst into a brick wall.

[@willynelson9595]

Does everyone know that this Johnny Effing Bench. Best catcher of all time, hands down case closed

[@coldsnap5742]

They start talking about that stupid rule at 3:30.

[@coldsnap5742]

@Jim McCracken Then you wouldn't mind taking off all that armor.

[@coldsnap5742]

@Jim McCracken Why wear all that armor if you're never going to be hit? A human body weighs a lot more than a baseball.

[@coldsnap5742]

@Jim McCracken See previous comment.

[@coldsnap5742]

@Jim McCracken Great way to defend this anti-defense rule, quitter.

[@coldsnap5742]

@@baums547 Then why are you so afraid of the runner?

[@benmiddleton9984]

Why didn't the Reds ever give Johnny Bench an opportunity to manage? Why hasn't any team in baseball ever offered him a management position? He knows a lot about baseball. He's only got 10 gold gloves

[@user-ek4nh8oq8f]

I grew up wanting to be a catcher because of Johnny Bench.

[@WalterThomasMcCarty]

I could listen to Johnny Bench talk baseball for HOURS!

[@clifford7594]

Seen 'em both. Mike Trout is Mickey Mantle.

[@Biokrave]

Why is everyone arguing why the rule happened? Out of position or not it doesnt matter neither does most players didnt get injured. The point is its a dangerous thing to have in the game. players would continuously barrel into each week after week if it wasnt Posey it wouldve been somebody else.

[@CronoXpono]

Yeah, it was destined to happen. It’s like fighting in hockey, one day unfortunately someone will die and it’ll be phased out. It’s just time catching up to the game. That’s all.

[@mikekinsela7210]

2:49 Perez put up the numbers in 2021. All time Home run record for catchers in a season.

[@foosbabaganoosh1]

"Johnny Bench called"

[@kelliebrooks9094]

Good stuff thanks yes its nice hearing Bench talk....hes many times fame..

[@aaron8977]

I always get offended when people don’t mention Yadier Molina as one of the best defensive catchers in the league!

[@michaelkraus4135]

J.B Is theee '' GOLD STANDARD '' !!!

[@yell0wberry]

I wonder what Bench currently thinks of Altuve these days

[@Ralph_Malph]

Johnny Bench a guru in baseball.

[@PuddlesMagoo]

Best ever