Reds Hall of Famer Johnny Bench Talks Pete Rose, Mantle, Aaron & More w/Dan Patrick | Full Interview

14-time MLB All-Star Johnny Bench joins DP in-studio to talk his career, the All-Star game and more.

[@MissAmazanda]

As a longtime baseball fan it feels like a blessing that Pete Rose and Johnny Bench are still around....

[@RAYK65]

Greatest catcher of all-time...great storyteller too...loved the Mickey Mantle story

[@atgn70]

This whole interview is absolute gold....We need more of this and more stories from veteran ballplayers from the 80s and older.

[@g99se9]

“Do I look 70? No, but you used to.” “What was that ladies name again? Oh yeah, plaintiff.” Holy crap Johnny Bench cracks me up.

[@gfriedman99]

Loquacious and very funny

[@2AForever-wi8yj]

Anyone else watch the whole thing and when it was over couldn't believe 25 minutes had flown by?

[@eddriver7815]

ME !

[@MyXxx77]

I really didn't intend to watch the whole thing but once it started I couldn't help myself. Johnny Bench is such a great guy and class act on and off the field. And yes, that was a fast 25 minutes!

[@johncooper7694]

Yes. I agree. Very enjoyable conversation.

[@cnc1204]

yep - Bench is a national treasure.

[@wrkuball]

absolutely.

[@RM-ed1if]

Bench is a true legend and a great storyteller.

[@gfriedman99]

Same as Mantle. Okies

[@lionelkennedy1394]

Truly an original.

[@nicmart]

Name a false legend.

[@philisaakak]

Yeah That’s why the LITTLE LEAGUE World Series with 11/12 year olds is broadcast all around the planet 🙄 Not to mention the hardest thing in sports is hitting a baseball So kicking a soccer ball for a penalty shot to win is harder than hitting a curve or change up off Nolan Ryan Right after a 99 mph fastball on the previous pitch That was thrown inside??? Come on that’s just silly and not even worthy of a comparison and I’m a High school football coach saying this......geez 🤷🏻‍♂️🤨🙄😏

[@crazyconcertdude]

Even Bench hates Harper! Join the club.

[@rjb073]

Johnny's era was the last of the guys that played the game for fun and to win. Big money was important, but not thee most important. Winning was number one.

[@rebelbaron7003]

@MANCHESTER UNITED F.C Soccer is easy to learn and play. Everyone can play. Baseball is the most difficult sport to play. Simply put,few can hit a 95mph fastball,then worry about a 70 mph curveball coming next. Soccer is boring,the only way it makes it in America,and remember I told you this,is if the American fan base turns away from football and basketball due to kneeling during our national anthem, singing the "black national anthem"and yielding any kind of attention to BLM. I have already turned my back on the NFL,never again. Expect to see this change with our fans THIS year.

[@randallballard8980]

Big money in those days wasn't that great. These guys were way before the massive contracts of today. Many of them could probably made more money doing other things. That's what's missing from the game in today's world, playing for the love of the game. It's all about the money in today's MLB

[@robindew9072]

Loved watching Reds play. 70s and early 80s were the best. Johnny Bench and Pete Rose were two of the best in the MLB. We earned Reds tickets if we got High marks and straight As. What a great time to be a kid. So many great games we watched. I will always be a Reds Fan.

[@no-bozos]

The Great Johnny Bench. I was a young teenager during The Big Red Machine years, and am still in awe every time I see one of these guys on TV. I can't imagine sitting down and having a conversation with Bench. I would be on Cloud Nine. Yet, he just sits there like a regular guy chatting away. People who are masters at their craft have no idea how their presence affects us mere mortals.

[@roccoconte2960]

now that was a great interview.

[@bencovington1121]

What a great guy to interview. I could listen to him for hours

[@desertdogg9773]

Ben Covington he is a prick

[@gfff3400]

I grew up as a huge fan of The Big Red Machine. Pete was my favorite, Johnny, Joe Morgan, George Foster, Davey, Tony, Caesar G, Griffey SR. The best catcher of all time was Johnny Bench.

[@dellt214769]

With the New York Boston Chicago and LA bias sadly anybody born in the 90s and up have no idea how great that 75 team was. I was born in 88 and learned from my uncle

[@CSDonohue11]

Todd Dell That’s real.

[@robertkelly6282]

Todd yankee fan here born n 51. I knew

[@mc76]

I graduated from high school in Indianapolis in 1972. At the time, Indy did not go on daylight saving time, so from April to October, Cincinnati was an hour ahead. We would leave school at 3:30 PM and get to Cincy in plenty of time for a 7 PM game, and (with the time change) be home and in bed by 11 PM on a school night. Great teams and great times.

[@rickyalanlusk8846]

I was the biggest Reds fan back in the 70s i worship and live those years of baseball never forget the great players of the BIG RED MACHINE

[@liecrusher3506]

To this day, I wished Reggie had the chance to do to the Reds, what he did to the Dodgers.

[@MyREDTAIL]

Johnny Bench one of the greatest Catchers in the Game Period I still have his Rookie Card in my collection etc.

[@brianjacob8728]

greatest Catcher in the Game ever

[@Mark-yy2py]

Valuable!

[@bradmiller9121]

I was a kid during the "Big Red Machine" years and I absolutely idolized Johnny Bench. He was the best role model a kid could have at that time. I still have his Rookie baseball card. Love the stories he tells here. The one about getting a drink with Mantle is priceless.

[@1burnman]

Absolutely

[@Gykolove]

AWESOME interview, thanks Dan!! 👍🏽👍🏻⚾

[@FlyingGemSparkly]

As a 60 yr old lifelong Red’s fan, I absolutely know that I KNOW that there will never, EVER be another catcher like the legendary Bench! He is both, THE best hitter AND best fielder...............hands down! 👏👏👏

[@ndep93]

Personally, I think it's more like: Ivan Rodriguez is the best fielding catcher ever, Mike Piazza is the best hitting catcher ever, but fuse them together and you get Johnny Bench. Best of both worlds.

[@travelbaseballtoprobasebal6551]

i like pudge

[@Fatallica]

I would argue that joe mauer could have been better if he wasnt injured so much. But woulda coulda shoulda, bench is the all time best no doubt

[@nancyyarbrough1445]

@@travelbaseballtoprobasebal6551 my best friend in high school liked pudge, but I was from Cincinnati so for me it was Bench!

[@BST-lm4po]

Bench has a .267 career BA. He's overrated! Joe Mauer has a .306 career BA Pudge Rodriguez has a .296 career BA. And a better arm!

[@TheBatugan77]

I love when Patrick asks Johnny's wife's name and Johnny says 'Plaintiff!' Johnny rocks!

[@gfriedman99]

Didn't blink an eye either. This dude rocks.

[@rmarty550]

My all time favorite catcher, class act.

[@TheBatugan77]

Johnny makes great points. When he says you take away all of Aaron's HRs... Henry still has 3000 hits. Bam! Never thought of that!

[@rexsexson5349]

2,200 rbi's

[@CSDonohue11]

Rex Sexson Only 3RBi shy of 2,300. 2,297 RBi.

[@TheBatugan77]

@@CSDonohue11 That is stunning.

[@ozzmania08]

Love this & loved the stories about Mickey Mantle & love the old days stories Just a legend

[@mandolindleyroadshow706]

Growing up a Mets fan, I always admired Johnny Bench; a great storyteller too. I'm glad he gave a shout out to Mets' catcher Jerry Grote here.

[@jamesd2128]

The great Johnny B, grew up watching him, what an honour it was.

[@nickgeorgiou7770]

Best catcher of all time. Hands down

[@veritasinvicta8128]

Hands down??? Nobody is that much better than the others regardless of position.

[@thomasalexander8499]

MONSTROUS hands down!!!!

[@tomdolan9761]

Yogi Berra sure did win a lot plus he lost a few years to WW2

[@nickgeorgiou7770]

Tom Dolan True, he was great but it was a different game. But I agree Yogi was Awesome player and most importantly he was a great guy too.

[@tomlyons3725]

@@tomdolan9761 Yogi came up just after WWII

[@eggsngritstn]

Huge Big Red Machine fan. Love hearing from Johnny Bench.

[@sdgakatbk]

I'm not, but I love hearing from them! I also like the clips I've heard from Pete Rose, the man knows his stuff!

[@RM-ed1if]

They used to have a fans photo day at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati. Fans could go down on the field before the game and shake the players hands and take photos. Not sure what year it was, but this was back in the 70s. Before a Reds-Cardinals game. Fans were behind a roped off area in the outfield and the players walked by. Bench was my favorite player and I got to shake his hand, what a great thrill for me. A memory that I'll never forget.

[@JeffreyTaylor-pk5jc]

I can imagine how thrilled you were ❤

[@jeffreyearnest3257]

I grew up a Dodger fan but in Johnny bench and the big red were a great team . He was and still very cool !!

[@scorchedearth8661]

Johnny was great in this interview. He’s almost as entertaining as Bob Uecker!

[@samiam619]

Michael M. And John was a better catcher. Bench was a better broadcaster, too. Heard Uecker call the Dodger game last night. Horrible, but not the worst.

[@scorchedearth8661]

Pay attention. I never compared anyone’s skills as a catcher or broadcaster. Only their entertainment value. Consider yourself lucky if you can even speak at Bob’s age.

[@mr.brenman2132]

@@samiam619 Johnny Bench was a better catcher then Ueck. You really went out on a limb there. You heard him call the Dodger Game? He doesn't call Dodger Games. Ueck is Mr. Baseball and one of the best broadcasters ever. You listened to a nearly 90 year old Uecker guest in the Dodgers booth or something? He doesn't travel anymore. Completely idiotic comment.

[@gavanhillebold3131]

Johnny Bench And Thurmon Munson were like Ali And Frazier in their prime. Can’t get much better than that.

[@CSDonohue11]

Gavan Hillebold I Love how The Yanks still have his locker saved exactly how he left it.

[@gavanhillebold3131]

ThA MAN C MAcK That’s awesome 😎

[@desertdogg9773]

Gavan Hillebold have you ever heard of Bill freehan look up his statistics he was the best catcher in baseball in the 60s

[@gavanhillebold3131]

Desert Dogg thanks for sharing, looked him up and he’s got impressive stats, especially put outs, he even threw out Lou Brock stealing haha caught some great pitchers like Lolich & Denny McLain 1968 (31-6)

[@joedawson5353]

Simply awesome interchange! Johnny and Dan both! Doesn’t get better than this.

[@michaeltibus1238]

That was an incredible interview! Thank you Mr. Bench for your awesomeness!

[@wayned1807]

Great, Great interview. As a Dodger fan in the sixties and seventies I had great respect for what the Reds accomplished.

[@fredwright5954]

Wayne, Steve Harvey was my idol growing up. Hands down, the greatest first baseman, ever. Man, those splits he used to do.

[@davidluckens3479]

as a Dodgers fan since the Korean War,I believe the Big Red Machine was comparable to the fabulous Brooklyn club I grew up watching.I must say,its my recollection that the Machine dominated the '70s Dodgers in head to head match ups,and the Little Blue Wagon wasn't too shabby either.I really enoyed this interview

[@jimii2294]

​@@fredwright5954 steve garvey

[@danielb7660]

Loved him as a kid. He was and still is my baseball sports Hero. i wept when they said he had lung cancer but thank God it turned out to be o.k. Love ya Mr. Bench and thanks for all the great memories!

[@wEiSmAn5446]

Best catcher. Better person.

[@slundgr]

That is how he was brought up. He never forgot where he came from, Binger, Oklahoma.

[@mrbuckets5445]

that means he's better than the best person omg

[@lucasgoble9714]

We need to see more of Johnny B...

[@paineintheass233]

Who remembers The Baseball Bunch???!!! Taught us a lot about the fundamentals of the game, that I'm sure would never be popular with kids today.

[@matthewbeaver5026]

It's great to hear first hand story's from a living legend!

[@yoder9339]

Great interview. Bench is an all timer.

[@QuadeQuick]

Johnny is one of my all-time favorites - and he never disappoints. Loved the Niekro story with Sparky - Bob Uecker used to say the only way to catch a knuckle ball was to just wait until it rolled to a stop. :-)

[@edfulginiti8798]

One of THE greats... I could listen to him talk baseball all day!

[@frankbranscome6732]

Nice to see Johnny Bench. Saturday morning ⚾ baseball as a kid was the best !

[@martinhyizna3299]

always loved Bench but didn't know how articulate and entertaining he is

[@conradtraughber7820]

Martin Hyizna he is a valedictorian I found out so he is a smart fellow and would have been successful without baseball!

[@jamescurran9002]

Every guy on that team had personality and wit. Back then we had two newspapers, The Enquirer and the Post. And every morning, all you'd read was the banter going on.. And Perez was the leader of it all. Just talking off the top.. They'd talk about the next team coming in, and they'd openly say how bad they was going to beat them... "We love playing in Atlanta, probably score 15 runs off Capra, Neikro might hold us to 7...blah blah blah. Reds lose Tom Seaver for rest of season in 1978...Joe Morgan says, all that means is we win division by 10 instead of 20...mind you, they're in 2nd place at the time... Just the most confident and open teammates in history.

[@dudermcdude9245]

could listen to Bench for hours. What a great player and person.

[@desertdogg9773]

duder mcdude you're Clueless Johnny Bench was a great player but he's an a****** in life a prick

[@charlescrowell4981]

Johnny bench and tony perez, hittng back to back homeruns into the Red seats at riverfront. Killin' those pirates and making them like it.

[@JeffreyTaylor-pk5jc]

Oh how great it feels. Even still today 😊

[@srferroni1]

Greatest catcher of my generation and there where some good players in the 60's till now btw a funny guy too

[@ShawnC.T.]

Johnny Bench is always an entertaining interview...

[@MikeJones-fv1fe]

Love JB! Glad to hear the talk about Aaron. Aaron doesn't get the credit for being the all around great player he was.

[@MikeJones-fv1fe]

Aaron was a fabulous all around player! Especially early in his career. Hit for average, power, good arm, had speed, good defense... really really good!

[@watchmanonthewall14]

Johnny Bench: greatest catcher of all time.

[@TheBatugan77]

"Do I look 70?" "No, but you used to..."

[@pangea6090]

My all-time favorite baseball player. And a damn good interview.

[@ExceptionalPleb]

Lmao “what was her name? Oh yeah, plaintiff” 6:15

[@larrymosher5045]

Just ran into this.wow, great interview, great guest.Thank you Dan Patrick.

[@brendad3570]

Great memory with years and names and games. One if my all time favorites! Great storyteller!

[@Mark-sj3xb]

The Great John Bench. I’ve never seen anyone make a devastating snap throw to first base FROM THE CROUCH to catch a runner sleeping like he did. And you better have a good lead and a good jump or forget stealing second.

[@tylerfoss3346]

Mark, fwiw I was thinking the exact, same thing. I never saw that happen before Johnny Bench. I cannot recall seeing it happen afterward. What an arm! And that's just one of the amazing feats this all time great performed. Great player. Class act.

[@survivrs]

Johnny Bench was the best guy, I loved the big red machine when I was a kid. I still think Pete deserves to be in the HOF.

[@photog1529]

Johnny Bench is a hoot. I love when these guys reminisce with their stories about baseball's icons...brings back memories of the good old days.

[@JeffreyTaylor-pk5jc]

I know that's right ❤

[@larrythomas6543]

Best Ever. NO ARGUMENTS!!!

[@rayjr62]

Johnny Bench, as usual, is frighteningly articulate. He was never one to mince his words. I cannot find fault or disagree with anything he has said. All Rose had to do is apologize and admit guilt. But he didn't.

[@jamesanthony5681]

Yes, Johnny is a smart man - baseball smart and school smart. Valedictorian in his high school. I've always liked listening to him. Rose should have followed his and other's advice and come clean.

[@jeremyebert3309]

Rose couldn't do it. That would go against the image he had of himself. At the end of the day, Pete Rose thought he was bigger than the game of baseball.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@jeremyebert3309 Yes. An analogous situation is that of Ben Johnson who was stripped of his gold medal in Seoul. Had Ben come clean and admitted taking steroids, then I believe the public would have forgiven him after a period of time. Why? The sporting public and the public in general knows it is a dirty sport and others were doing the same. When the evidence is clear and incontrovertible, do you go around and claim ignorance as Johnson did, or outright deny betting on baseball in the case of Rose? Rose got good, sound advice and ignored it. He was complete delusional. You can be a terrible human being, but the worst thing you can do as an athlete (in the public's mind) is throwing a game, betting on a game, or quitting/not giving your best in a game.I don't feel sorry for either. Sad, really.

[@swinn848]

Pete never threw a game. 4256 hits will never be seen again. I agree there are rules and Pete has admitted his mistakes. Why is everyone so forgiving of steroids. Those are rules as well.

[@jamesanthony5681]

@@swinn848 Nobody ever said Pete threw a game. He placed bets on the game and there are rules against that. Betting on baseball strikes at the integrity of the game. If betting is left unchecked, the public will question whether the players and managers are giving their best effort in order to win games. The fans will think the outcomes are predetermined, they'll stop going to games and the sport will eventually die. That's not the case with steroids. Although some fans may stay away if they think players are on the juice, they (fans) won't question whether the players are giving maximum effort in order to win games. That's the distinction I would make between gambling and steroids. I personally want steroids completely out of sports. I don't think everyone is so forgiving of steroids. Bonds and Clemens are not in the Hall because of steroids, and may never get in.

[@tomwilliams7183]

Still in awe of him us Cincinnatians we're so lucky didn't realize what we had super team super people miss those days. Thank you BIg RED MACHINE

[@justinamenta7241]

Bench is hilarious, great interview! Rose is hilarious too

[@gregprince2523]

Thanks for the memories John!! It was a pure pleasure watching you as I grew up!

[@buddmannable]

Terrific interview John! Thank you for sharing a part of your life.

[@wholzman2]

Bench was smart and a team leader. Oh ! yes, and he was Sparky's boy.

[@EBthere]

This was great. Absolutely great.

[@kona883]

Incredible player! Him and Yogi were the best catchers of all time! Remember Yogi won MVP 3 times playing with DiMaggio, Maris, Mickey and the rest of the Yankees! But what I’ll never forget my 8 year old son running up to him in the Angel parking lot, just him. I’m standing 30 ft away and I remember my son asking “Mr Bench” can I have your autograph Please! And Bench telling him no! It took everything I had to not to tell the bastard off. But instead I told my son he must have been in a hurry! It was a all star weekend and Bench was retired for some years but my kid loved the reds and knew who Bench was!

[@roberthunigman4730]

Bench is the greatest catcher ever. What a thrill to watch him He used to kill my favorite pitcher Steve lefty Carlton.

[@jacobjones5269]

I thought hard about this one, and I agree.. Bench is the best I’ve seen in 50 years of watching baseball.. #2 is a bit tougher to iron out.. Fisk is a good choice, but Ivan Rodriguez has to be considered... And I’d even give Sandy Alomar Jr some consideration..

[@gnielsen07]

Jacob Jones pudge was very likely a steroid user so gotta give it to Fisk. If Thurman Munson didn’t die he’d be in the hall too

[@TheOlesarge]

Awesome. I LOVE baseball stories from the veterans. Unbelievably entertaining.

[@lionelkennedy1394]

He is so great. I could listen to Johnny Bench tell stories all day!

[@toddschneck80]

Total legend! Great ambassador for baseball!

[@TexasWildheartsFan]

WOW - a reference to a Minor League legend in my hometown of Tyler, TX, Billy Capps @2:45

[@billyperry7991]

Best most entertaining interview Patrick has ever done

[@JaDem148]

Pete Rose was my idol for some time growing up but Johnny, Pudge (Fisk), and Thurman were tops behind the plate that I ever saw. Real gamers!

[@murraywestenskow2896]

This one of the great interviews of all time - we need more old timer guests.

[@bradgauldin8643]

How good is this sit down interview. Just great!!!

[@jerrybrownell3633]

Mickey Mantle was named after Mickey Cochrane perhaps the greatest catcher hardly any one has ever heard of(unless you were a Yankees fan).

[@stevenpipines7773]

Johnny Bench was the greatest all around catcher in history Nobody even comes close. I remember the Johnny Bench power hour and the Johnny Bench batter up! Those were the greatest baseball days ever!

[@ronniebishop2496]

Yogi Berra?

[@MyMy-zi7yv]

Thanks for the full interview!

[@rockyfitzgerald6773]

Back in the late sixties when I was about 13 I had a little,transistor radio that I listened to a couple of local fm stations on. Well in the evening on the AM side i could get various distant stations and the one that came in clear carried the Cincinnati Reds games. They hadn’t attained their greatness at that time but I became a fan. All us boys in the eighth grade had our teams and mine was the reds. Well long story short, as we got older they became great and I was a wizard to be a fan. They were magical. Every single one of them. And being from Oklahoma, Johnny Bench came close to being my goat to The Commerce Comet. I was lucky.

[@brooklyn7189]

One of the best... love Johnny, first glove I ever owned was a Bench catchers mitt... growing up watching the baseball bunch etc... love em

[@micahtataje]

Wow, mad respect for Mr Bench

[@beakt]

The Mantle story was the funniest.

[@lionelkennedy1394]

beakt That was hilarious!

[@allennance949]

The Mick was a character.

[@indycustommade3568]

He is so much fun to listen to. Great stories.

[@Rawkstar1960]

Still love ya number 5! You were my hero of the BRM. Like every other kid in NKY I wanted to catch.

[@mikefannon6994]

Great stories! Just one of many baseball memories: watching Pete Rose in Crowley Field.

[@matthewbeard4704]

GOAT. Saw almost every game he ever played in my hometown of Cincinnati.

[@marknan5352]

Wonderful interview. Bench can tell stories all day long.

[@obibaddad1991]

I am, was, and always will be a Pirates fan. Went to see the Big Red Machine in Pittsburgh whenever I could. Johnny Bench was terrific. Glad he gives kudos to those Buc teams. Class act all the way.

[@rpc717]

I worshipped at the altar of baseball growing up, and Johnny Bench was my absolute favorite. 15 years later I'm off to war and who shows up for a USO show - Bob Hope and Johnny Bench. What a great man and an inspiration, and a consummate story teller.

[@filemonruiz7363]

What a class act is Johnny Bench!

[@paulginsberg6942]

Johnny is a great guy and a great story teller.

[@LoriFoster]

Cincinnati guy here, I saw the Big Red Machine play in Crowley and Riverfront. Saw Rose’s Record breaking hit. Broke my heart when the Machine was traded off. Watched them on our first Colored TV great time to watch when they had about 4 guys hitting 300 and 1 or 2 with a potential 40 home runs.

[@berniepragle948]

Look at those hands. He didn't even need a glove. Powerful.

[@jdigioia1130]

This interview is gold!!

[@peterjb1957]

Johnny is such a natural at anything! Great Guy!

[@carlwentzell6314]

I'm sorry I could only click "like" one time for this. Johnny Bench interviews are baseball gold.

[@rebelbaron7003]

Man....I'll tell you,how great are these baseball stories? I'm a Yankee,Cubbies,Phillies fan as I lived in each city but its beyond me how the Big Red Machine only won one World Series during that time. Same for that great Pirates team. But,I second the motion,Johnny Bench IS the best catcher of all time. Hitting for average,hitting for power,hitting under pressure and his catching skills.

[@chopperenduro6590]

They won in 75 & 76 back to back , runner up in l can't remember how many more , in 70 l know of against Orioles

[@josefcosta8267]

Hey 2a Forever, you right on the money! I'm not even a serious baseball fan and got soooo drawn in by this, couldn't click away. Gotta watch this OK boy tell some more stories...

[@pacovega5065]

Johnny bench class act and hilarious as well!

[@jacktheglide9411]

yeah...!

[@Beatle849]

Just from being a sports fan perspective, Johnny Bench is about the best pro athlete star to listen to. He is funny and interesting. Can't think of anyone better. Maybe Muhammed Ali was close.

[@steveadams7596]

Johnny Bench is by far and away the best Catcher in my lifetime. Very involved dad, and seems like a really decent guy.

[@ronniebishop2496]

Yogi Berra and Johnny.