Should Barry Bonds Be In The Hall Of Fame? Johnny Bench Reacts To Bonds' Comments | 07/12/23

Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench joins the Dan Patrick Show and reacts to Barry Bonds' comments that he's been vindicated and should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame

[@roscocostco8586]

Jose Canseco the only one who spoke truth...and they kicked his ass out.

[@dennisw8026]

He "spoke truth" only after he was out and was broke and trying to sell a book and all his other crap

[@gerrypeet4861]

@@dennisw8026 His reasons may have been selfish but that really doesn't matter. He is the only one to tell the truth.

[@kriswright1022]

​@@gerrypeet4861He's not in the HOF for 2 reasons, he's a rat, and he wasn't qualified, plain and simple.

[@honus20]

Jason Giambi also admitted he roided. Drove him in my limo before and he was a great guy.

[@jamiealexander7065]

@@honus20 I actually heard he's a generous tipper.

[@SLUGGER_CITY]

Johnny Bench is one of the greatest, classiest, players of all time. He's one of the reasons I got into, fell in love, and still love baseball, today!! BIG RED MACHINE FOREVER⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️⚾️

[@tacotom3492]

He literally just made an antisemitic comment lol

[@thomasluby1754]

@@tacotom3492 Not "literally". You misuse that word every time you use it. What was the "antisemitic comment"?

[@rgarrison1819]

​@thomasluby1754 Johnny was at a Reds Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony recently, and a Past Reds GM from the 1950's who was Jewish,and is Deceased, was one of the inductees, and His Daughter was there as His Representative!,This GM was known for Putting together a Pretty Good Ball Clubs during his tenure with Not Much Money,compared to other clubs around the league at that time!,and Johnny Bench said well of course he did,He was Jewish!!!,The Old Antisemitic Trope that All Jews are Penny pinchers and Mizers!!!,Pretty Sad,that John made that Antisemitic Remark,and Made this Ceremony all about him,because of it!!!

[@alferrera9605]

He is kind of a jerk off to fans. JS.

[@wonglee2424]

Johnny's right Babo used unknowiingly which was disclosed during a grand jury hearing he did admit using the clear and the cream and he got it from his trainer Greg Anderson who got it from BALCO no Bonds should not be in the Hall.

[@glenschunk3995]

With runners on 2nd & 3rd, Bench after the pitch would from his crouch throw to 2nd to attempt a pickoff. 2nd basemen & shortstops had to be ready. Bench lead & managed. One of the most (if not the most) confident players & men I had the the privilege to watch play & speak. Curt Gowdy said that about Ted Williams & also spoke that way of Bench saying often " At this young age, this man is polished"!

[@bobma6342]

He'd throw a laser to second base.

[@keltonscott734]

Put All those Guys in the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame. If They have to put a Asterisk ✳️ by Their Name, Because for the Era These Guys did Show Up Every Day, and Participated in Every Game and at Bats in All these Ballparks, their Accomplishments Speaks for itself.

[@bigboots6114]

if you do then your saying to the kids its ok to cheat

[@lightshadow44]

Agree…that includes Sandburg and Maddox ( everybody ) Just bc they weren’t jacked, doesn’t mean anything

[@krisscanlon4051]

Exactly! My gawd Bench has lots of opinions on lots of MLB topics...yeah Rose was gross but did his time and still was Charlie Hustle doesn't change his playing years nor these jacked batters...whatever it's part of the mix

[@johnbeall940]

Johnny was, is and always will be my favorite player. A true legend.

[@k80shuter]

YES!

[@djjess9553]

He was my favorite player too growing up

[@watchmanonthewall14]

Same.

[@rgarrison1819]

Johnny Bench is The Greatest MLB Catcher of All Time!!!, but as a Person to just Regular Fans, He's always been a Real DICK!!!,and has always came across as He's Above Everyone Else!!!

[@kerrygalloway509]

I grew up watching Johnny play. He was great! One of my favorite players!

[@souperstar7050]

The eight White Sox that were banned from baseball, also won in court. Yet they were guilty. The same with Barry Bonds.

[@lgen2458]

Most of the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates team was also using every drug and steriod in the book and according to John The Hammer Milner were given to the players by Willie Stargell of all people

[@The_Garmin_Guru]

He literally just said he took performance enhancing drugs also

[@robertd.7060]

And , YET . The White Sox owner had NO part to play in that event ! But , he & Landis are IN the HOF ? Didn't Cobb & Speaker get caught betting & still played & made the HOF , too ? Like Johnny is talking about in the 1970's , the trainers knew way back when . So the trainers , MG & team owner of the Yankees , didn't [ KNOW ] about 1/2 of there teams was user's ? While they WERE winning all those titles in the late 1990's to early 2000's ? I wouldn't be surprised to fine out , EVEN Jeter wasn't using way back then ? David Ortiz , was a story out about him in his Country , using . BUT, nothing ever come out of it & HE"S in on his 1st try ? Funny on how Base Ball IS held way above all OTHER PRO SPORTS in this topic ? Bet , you couldn't field teams in the NFL , if it ever come out like it did for Base Ball !

[@bug-lf4sg]

The thing with Bonds is he did cheat and he was a selfish nasty person. However you can't deny he was a HOF type player before he ever used. It's known he watched the country go cray over Maguire and Sosa hitting HRs which made him decide to do it. Does he deserve the records? That's a fair question. He deserves to be in the HOF.

[@sandraelsmaterialoblivion7201]

@@lgen2458 PLenty of coke heads in the Cardinals during that time - and a few years after

[@STORM3SHADOW]

I love Johnny Bench. What a legend!!!!

[@ShawnC.T.]

Being from and growing up in Cincinnati, I didn't understand the magnitude of witnessing Johnny Bench play the game of ⚾, like I do now, what a privilege it was...

[@thomashermann2785]

Me too! My favorite sports memories are being at the Gardens watching Oscar Robertson play for the Royals and at Riverfront watching the Reds in the early to mid 70’s

[@ShawnC.T.]

@@thomashermann2785 I went to elementary school with two of Oscar Robertson's nephews...🙂

[@ricocastro6321]

As a ny met fan and I hated the reds but loved them at the same time cause they weren't call the big red machine for nothing

[@ShawnC.T.]

@ricocastro6321 Your Mets spoiled the party in 1973, in the NLCS, hot pitching cooled the "Big Red Machine" bats...

[@joemancuso7033]

If these guys get in so should Pete Rose!!

[@jayleon7348]

No

[@mikehocking4836]

​@@jayleon7348wrong Pete Rose does belong

[@makofett7404]

Absolutely as a player. What he did was as a manager. He got banned but he already had his hof career as a player. Listen to Bench, he says he wouldve loved to have performance enhancing supps for recovery also. Its always been in the sport since the 20s. If you think players didnt use uppers after partying all night plus they had to travel by train.

[@italianwaterice9594]

@@makofett7404 the commissioner passed away before the final report,, bart giammati,,, you better believe he gambled his entire career

[@Bill.G]

Pete Rose should not be in the HOF.

[@petetimchal8633]

Best catcher I've ever seen, got his autograph at Chain O Lakes ball park in Winter Haven FL.. Been aphillies fan all my life, and will never forget the big red machine and all those studs they had. Thanks mr. Bench for your many years of service to the game that we all love. Thanks again!!!!

[@healthyone100]

Bench was good all around but i feel jerry Grote was the best defensive catcher i've seen!

[@xxxxbigrich5752]

Pudge Rodriguez without a doubt!

[@snipersquat4758]

​@@healthyone100never pudge Rodriguez the best all time 13 gold gloves how do that. Nobody.

[@TheLeadSled]

Imagine the battering his body took over the years, catching all those games wore him down. I was a catcher and I played into my 30's in an unlimited league, well two total knee replacements later and I know catching all those games wore my knees out.

[@rafaelramirez1507]

​@@snipersquat475813 gold gloves is awesome but I still believe that Johnny Bench is the best ever eventhough Carlton Fisk is my favorite

[@martybaggenmusic]

A great catcher, a superb human...... a hero

[@dougamundson6836]

Great player, NOT a superb human.

[@Brown270TTV]

Got a weird choice for heroes

[@dantheman5745]

Johnny was, and still is IMO, the best catcher in MLB history. It's hard to fathom that he'll be turning 76 this year. When I was a little kid back in the 70s, I wrote a letter to the Reds to tell them that Johnny Bench was my favorite player on my favorite team. I have no idea how the letter got to the Reds' offices, because I lived several states away, and am pretty sure I had no idea what their address was, other than that they were in Cincinnati. But somebody at the Post Office saw to it that it got there, and a few weeks later I got back in the mail from the Reds a Johnny Bench photo, autographed by Johnny himself. Talk about a treasured possession for a little kid. Only autograph I ever got. Only autograph I ever wanted.

[@Landis_Grant]

Yogi Berra was the GOAT.

[@Trafala32]

​@@Landis_Grantno stop it

[@Duck_Dodgers]

Bob uecker was lol

[@Landis_Grant]

@@Trafala32 Johnny Bench’s stacked teams only won two World Series.

[@DavidSmith-vb7gz]

Yogi Berra… 10 World Series rings, 3 MVPs, 15 time All Star… No disrespect to Johnny, but Yogi is the man.

[@buicklincoln]

Compare Bonds with David Ortiz. Ortiz comes across as likeable and media friendly. The kind of guy that greets every fan who encounters him. Ortiz was also mentioned in the Mitchell Report. Bonds was never media friendly and came across (still does) as abrasive. Bonds pre or post steroid use was the fair superior player, yet Ortiz is in the Hall. Go figure.

[@edwardmoulaison1359]

Bonds is a prick, but being a prick isn't a HOF consideration. You're right. Everyone loved Papi. Bonds should be in

[@roymaez5876]

There was a time if u threw a strike to Barry it was in the stands for mr he is without a doubt the greatest power hitter of all time. Curt Shilling is without a doubt the greatest big game pitcher of all time also. Maybe not enough wins but damn dude won every big game

[@j-short5431]

@@roymaez5876 Boston Centric opinion.

[@buffalobraves9]

From 2003 through his last game in 2016 Ortiz never tested positive for any drug. He went 14 seasons in his prime without failing one drug test. Yet people all say he was juiced. Why? Because he was clutch. For no other reason.

[@j-short5431]

@@buffalobraves9 lots of qualifiers there. The only reason you like Ortiz is because he played for Boston and he was a happy go Lucky guy.

[@thienvu8120]

When I was a limo driver, I had a HOF pitcher in my car and he basically said the same thing. The players were given things by the club and told to take it and they did.

[@jamiealexander7065]

Who was it?

[@thienvu8120]

@@jamiealexander7065 I'd prefer not to share his name but he played for Leo Durocher and Billy Martin and won 25 games a couple of times

[@jamiealexander7065]

@@thienvu8120 lol, so why'd you bring it up? And give hints 😆

[@wolfpac93901]

@@thienvu8120 Ferguson Jenkins

[@italianwaterice9594]

@@wolfpac93901 fergie is full of it because he also had coke problem

[@MatthewBaumgarten]

Im a lifetime Astros fan since the 1970’s and Jonny Bench was my favorite player, I always had hoped he would be traded to the Astros but that never happened and I always had his baseball cards too as a child growing up

[@Maccattack56]

HE definitely should be in the hall of fame, baseball knew what was going on and they let it go because the stadiums were full .

[@jessebassett4635]

The great Johnny Bench! Super talented!

[@christorpher84]

Bench is far from the best! Berra is better! Munson! Fisk! Berra had 3 MVP alone! Bench is way overrated

[@g.t.richardson6311]

@@christorpher84 Berra 1. Munson? He was in fast decline Wally schang is rated higher Bench is not over rated

[@kevinkline7242]

Johnny Bench was like Bobby Orr in that both of them were the best player in their sport the day they turned pro.

[@jimbible5770]

OMG Johnny Bench was great. No one better as a defensive catcher and hit with power. You just didn’t try steal on him. The master.

[@garymorris1856]

Yogi.

[@jimbible5770]

@@garymorris1856 Berra was awesome. Played with the mick and whitey ford. Great battles against koufax and Maury wills. And Drysdale too.

[@jimbible5770]

@@garymorris1856 Mickey Mantle could run with anyone til he got hurt. Dude was fast and switch hit with tremendous power.

[@garymorris1856]

@@jimbible5770 Yes, he holds the record for World Series wins with 10.

[@ynotttt]

The Cubs scout wanted Bench but was over ruled by senior personnel director back then. Unfortunately…. Even with Bench they would not have gotten over the top in the late sixties early seventies.

[@frankperricone4810]

I love how honest Bench is about it. I would have done it too. I woulda been JACKED. 😂

[@bigboxes]

And you wouldn't be in the HOF due to your cheating. Bench looks uncomfortable talking about it. He doesn't want to slam on the players. Bonds ain't getting in because of his doping and lying about his doping. None of the cheaters are getting in. That includes many of my heroes. It's a tainted era of baseball that needs to be washed clean.

[@yourgameisstupid]

Or double standards (e.g. Big Papi being a HOFer)@TheEsquireofSports.2.0

[@marcoslaureano5562]

@@bigboxes How many cheaters do you think are in the Hall? Whitey Ford was a KNOWN and ADMITTED cheater. So were BOTH Niekro brothers. They may not have been juicing themselves but they were juicing the ball and that's CHEATING - you don't get to decide which cheating is worse. Cheating is cheating. So WHITEY and Niekro should be kicked out then by your logic. So should any of the guys in the fifties when AMPHETAMINE USE was RAMPANT and guys like Mays and Mantle were doped to the gills. You think, what basically amounts to coke, doesn't help you focus. ANYTHING that is NOT LEGAL and gives you an edge is CHEATING. You can't have one standard for these guys and another standard for others. Mantle and Mays, Ford and Niekro should either get kicked out or have asterisks by their names if it comes down to your logic.

[@johnwingate8799]

Conseco said he would never have gotten past minor league without PEDS.I wish I could take them now and I'm 62.

[@jarmonmarmon7698]

​@@bigboxeswhat about the era of greenies

[@travishowell3004]

Best name is baseball. Brilliant and down to earth man. If you played catcher back in the day you wanted to be Johnny Bench

[@JackFlaps]

Bench was one helluva catcher and now he`s a great interview

[@jude999]

Has integrity.

[@Michael-hq1iq]

bench was the best catcher i ever saw

[@dinkyb2000]

compared to Pudge he was average. He wasnt the driving cog in the big red machine it was rose and Morgan

[@josephgreen2824]

That's not the point of this interview

[@jude999]

Smart guy.

[@nealbennett4950]

They should have let Pete Rose in years ago and if they let Both Bonds and McGuire in Rose should be allowed in .

[@TimCarter]

I enjoyed watching them all play, but none of the three deserve anything but shame for how they hurt the game.

[@trock6577]

We will never see a better catcher ever. What a player

[@DavidSmith-vb7gz]

Yogi Berra… 10 rings as a player, 3 time MVP, 15 times All Star. mike drop. No disrespect to Johnny.

[@787paul939]

Ivan Rodriguez yadier Molina best ever catchers

[@makula5543]

Bench is still regarded as the BEST catcher to ever live!

[@coltsfan69]

My favorite player of all time Johnny Bench

[@jamesmartin8385]

Mine too. The GOAT of catchers.

[@Richard-by5gm]

Agreed but he is not the greatest Living player. Willie Mays is that man.

[@rebeccavoodoo2191]

Give Us a Break ! “ Pete Rose 🌹 “ should be in the “ Hall of Fame” MLB is in the gambling business and NFL, and NBA and all Professional Sports it’s a crock of bull shot players are paid obscene wages for illiteracy

[@raymondmontanez9284]

I agree, Pete Rose should be in the HOF he's baseball's all time hits leader w 4,256 hits. If the HOF is gonna keep Rose out for all these years Then keep Barry out. Nobody will ever break Rose's all time hits record and that's a shame because he deserves to be in there. With that said they should just do away with the HOF because it's a JOKE...

[@rebeccavoodoo2191]

@@raymondmontanez9284 precisely pound for pound would walk through “ hell “ in a gasoline ⛽️ suit just to play baseball ⚾️ MLB is rigged hypocrisy organization they have to submit the roster 10 minutes before game time at the MGM Grand I never watch it anymore

[@garymorris1856]

No! Rose broke the mast sacred rule in sports, and neither he or Joe Jackson should EVER be in!

[@rebeccavoodoo2191]

@@garymorris1856 sacred rule My DICK ! MLB is incessantly in the gambling business what plant you living on Johnny Bench ? It’s preposterously comical

[@kentparker8613]

@@garymorris1856 I disagree Pete Rose is the hit king, the man has the record. Keeping Pete Rose out of the Hall of Fame just not right, it’s like voting for Biden not right

[@denveyebanks4787]

NO. If you have been caught cheating, you don't go in the Hall. We cannot award cheaters.

[@SarahGlass-hd6zp]

Bonds had 3 MVP’s before he’s believed to have used steroids. He’s the most dominant athlete of all time. Him not being in the HOF is an absolute joke.

[@denveyebanks4787]

If you believe his power output was natural, I've got some ocean front property in Arkansas for a good price. Pete Rose was denied because he was betting on the game but those who used drugs to enhance their play is cool. I don't understand your brainwaves.@@SarahGlass-hd6zp

[@douglasmcclure9492]

No say it again you cheat your out barry big mac sammy jose simple your out

[@nuce79]

The hall fame is not only a record of the best players but a historical record of the game. The good, the bad, the ugly and everything in between. Tell the truth. Rose, Bonds, Clemens. Rodriguez, etc. should all be in for what they did on the field. They are part of that history. Tell the story, tell the truth.

[@carpzero1]

Bonds should only be added after Pete Rose is added. I saw an ad for a gambling venue located at the Reds' ballpark. If baseball is now profiting from gambling, Rose should be forgiven.

[@royrowland5763]

Rose flat-out lied for 15 years about betting on baseball, and when he finally admitted that the only bets he made were as a manager, evidence appeared that even that wasn't the complete truth. If he had publicly told the truth on day one, he would have been forgiven, and he'd probably be in the HOF today. He's a POS who deserves to be nowhere near Cooperstown.

[@kennethbrown8723]

I have no idea what position on Barry Bonds Johnny Bench was trying to take!

[@xavierramos1270]

He's trying not to answer the question. Weak take.

[@flame-sky7148]

He might have been trying to say he took a greenie (Amphetamines ) which are now banned so why judge players who took something before they were banned.

[@johnwingate8799]

U weren't listening.He said it should bother Barry because of how good he was before he(allegedly)took PEDs and because of how many others took them.I agree with the guy that said he should be in the HOF and just put asterisks next to his stats the years he used illegal PEDs.He was definately the best hitter in the league for years.

[@flame-sky7148]

But if you're going to put asterisks next the stats he used PEDs, then asterisks need to go also on other players who used them if they decide to let them in as well. Also pitchers juiced more than the players, but nobody cares about taking away their stats. Baseball should have put in testing in the 90's and they wouldn't be dealing with this situation. You wanna know why A-rod doesn't have 700 or 800 hrs, because there was testing in place and he failed two test therefore he was suspended twice. That's how you eliminate the asterisks talking points.

[@steveisgood2go]

You can’t condemn a person for not breaking the rules.

[@todd8331]

I hear there's a Barry Bonds movie in the works. Chris Rock is going to play Barry during his Pirate years and Shaq will play Barry in his Giants years.

[@BST-lm4po]

🤣👍

[@milojanis4901]

😂😂😂

[@ranmangolf]

For those of you who think these guys who juiced should be in the HOF, I am curious how you feel about Lance Armstrong. Should he be given back everything he lost? You have to draw an accountability line somewhere, even if you love the person.

[@harveyhorwitz1346]

Alex and Barry were Hall of Famers before the accusations.

[@ranmangolf]

@@William_J.83 Okay, but what about Pete Rose and his gambling problem and betting on his own team. That wasn't legal. People who have gambling addictions are more likely to gamble in a nefarious manner. As a player, he was great, but it stops there.

[@michaeltamares7974]

Lance raised more money for cancer research than any other athlete

[@chrisrunyon2372]

​@@ranmangolfok but that wasn't his playing days.

[@ranmangolf]

@@michaeltamares7974 You are correct, Lance Armstrong raised LOTS of money for cancer research and I applaud him for that. The question is whether or not it was justifiable to defraud everyone, including the other athletes who played by the rules. This was their life long dream to win a Tour de France. Secondly, do you really think Lance's sole motivation was raising money for cancer research or was it for fame and lining his own pockets? The motivation seems a little wobbly.

[@user-ed2ee1ox5x]

Johnny Bench does not get the level of greatness he deserves...He was a outstanding player .I would love to have a signed ball by Mr.Bench

[@Zippadeedoodaa-nt8om]

He's only in the HOF.

[@mnamhie]

A panel of 36 members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America voted Bench as the catcher for Major League Baseball's All-Time Team. I'd say that's about the highest recognition one could have.

[@trza49er]

In my opinion, Bonds was a HOFer based on just his career as a Pirate. He won multiple MVPs there. Not many people can say that, including plenty of guys who made it in.

[@guyh.4121]

The thing with Bonds is, if he didn’t do anything at all (PED’s supposedly) he was going to the Hall anyway.

[@ronaldhull8057]

Yes indeed and remember that when he came to bat most of the time he only got one pitch to hit. Pitchers would nibble at the strike zone and a good eye was the only way to hit, not drugs!

[@TimCarter]

I doubt it. I believe he started using PEDs around 1990 or sooner. Only about 4 or 5 seasons into his career. Without the juice, he hits half the HRs and retires 10 years sooner.

[@lee-pc5jq]

@@TimCarter sure thing pal.

[@guyh.4121]

@@TimCarter ..that was the talk of many reporters back in the day. His stats spoke for themselves but he got greedy and along with that an unusually Large Head.

[@jehudavis5422]

​@@TimCartertrue!

[@endcapitalism]

Baseball, Bud Selig, knew players were using and approved. To then demonize these players is BS.

[@ronchapsky6467]

If the best players from the Selig era aren't in, Bud really shouldn't be in Cooperstown either. He and the game implicitly condoned PED use (at the very least).

[@terrytitus5291]

He got in the Hall of Fame!

[@ronchapsky6467]

@@terrytitus5291 Duh.......that's the point.

[@robertd.7060]

@@terrytitus5291 Yes !

[@robertd.7060]

@@ronchapsky6467 I AGEE 1000% with your comment . BUT, The White Sox owner & Landis are in the HOF , along with at least a couple of OTHER ALL - TIME greats ?

[@toddpayne923]

My first baseball hero! Love Johnny Bench!!!!

[@69mojoez]

They were already discussing Barry Bonds in the Hall of Fame before he took steroids. Most back then called him the best player in the game. So yes.

[@steveparker2704]

Old Dodger fan here, Johnny Bench best catcher I ever saw! Pete Rose belongs in the hall of fame

[@dinkyb2000]

never saw pudge i gues s

[@arky5610]

@@dinkyb2000 or Yadia Molina

[@dinkyb2000]

@@arky5610 true

[@steveparker2704]

@@dinkyb2000 Pudge not close, sorry

[@steveparker2704]

@@arky5610 Yadia, good not close

[@CachuchasOSFNYCHHSK]

2009, Lakers vs Kings in Sac. Barry arriving late and walking behind the baseline behind the hoop where Kobe's at the line shooting FTs. Laker fans chanting "M-V-P!" ... Barry assumes the chants are for him, smiles wide and starts waving to the crowd with both hand 🤣🤣🤣 He doesn't need the Hall; he has his own world.

[@foxyloxy6670]

We’re you there? You don’t know why he was waving & smiling. Someone/ people’s could have actually called his name out & cheered him on. So please stop reporting your fake news!

[@bobtransvaal144]

No HOF, No Ring.

[@CachuchasOSFNYCHHSK]

@@foxyloxy6670 Yes, I was there, love... and he waved with both hands to the whole section. Get over it.

[@benicia21]

@@bobtransvaal144 rent free...

[@elliottparker6389]

If Barry violated any drug policy to help him hit those HR's, No! If he didn't violate any drug policy, put him in the HOF!

[@paulbrackett60]

Barry Bonds should absolutely be in the Hall of Fame. Pitchers use different things to increase spin rate all the time. Let’s ban all professional athletes from doing any exercise. After all, it has to be natural, right

[@andrepellegrini2849]

One thing peaple got to realize that there were more players using steroids that still sucked than the players that put up huge numbers

[@nickgleeson7168]

People forget that genetics play a huge roll plus peds plus diet plus weight lifting program plus he was already #1 so people got hurt when he turned super human everybody was cheating for at least from 80s to early 2000s just stop

[@lukelyons4099]

Also, I could do steroids and lift and eat right and still not hit a Randy Johnson fastball 450 feet.

[@nickgleeson7168]

@lukelyons4099 exactly font discredit guys like bonds and his talents

[@jamiealexander7065]

@@lukelyons4099 exactly, I'm on AAS and could never hit a homer in the majors.

[@anotherjoshua]

really? who? and how would you know ?

[@nelsoncruz184]

What a great person and baseball player .

[@markpekrul4393]

Johnny Bench was one of the first names I could recognize as a sports star, even before I started following the game...of course he did a great spray paint commercial back in the day - "I'm Johnny Bench, and this is Johnny Bench's bench!"

[@orgonkothewildlyuntamed6301]

the last time Rose told the truth was when Pete was asked "when was the last time you told the truth?" & his answer was "i don't remember"

[@BG-nj7kf]

How about blaming the players. I thought folks from back in the day were about personal responsibility.

[@martinoconnor3020]

Yeah...it's weird how with these guys Bench seems to almost excuse their behavior, but with Pete Rose its all about personal responsibility.

[@unclejj9600]

They need him speaking more often

[@AllForDemocracy]

What's sad is that Barry Bonds was one of the 15-20 greatest players of all-time BEFORE he allegedly started using.

[@dapper892]

What’s more sad is the whole f’n league was on shit. He was just superhuman once he decided to join the club. And guys are in who used, pudge, piazza and bagwell to name a couple. The best will be when papi goes in even though he actually failed a test. It’s ridiculous.

[@brigginspa]

They should vote Bonds, Rose, Clemens, McGuire all in same year. Not hide behind what they did but seperate the moral judgement from baseball accomplishment worthiness.

[@swissbeats2k]

That's just like OJ saying, "I was found not guilty" 😂

[@harveyhorwitz1346]

Barry Bonds was a hall of farmer before he was accused of taking steroids which was never proven. Comparing Barry Bonds to OJ shows a serious lack of mental acuity on your part. We’re you dropped on your head at birth or is it an hereditary flaw?

[@2682shark]

Except Murder was illegal… there were no rules against steroids at the time

[@harveyhorwitz1346]

Drawing a parallel like that can only come from a mind with little mental acuity.

[@patricktracey7045]

@@harveyhorwitz1346 "Hereditary flaw"? How 'bout writing 'We’re you dropped on your head...'? Being the MENSA member that you are, you know that reads as "WE ARE YOU DROPPED ON YOUR HEAD..."

[@TimCarter]

@@harveyhorwitz1346 no he wasn't. He started taking PEDs around 1990 or sooner. Almost his entire career.

[@moboutmen]

They should have a wing in the Hall for "The Enhanced Era",and put all the juicers in it who warrant induction.

[@richbrake9910]

Andro (not to be confused with Anadrol 50) was not classified as a steroid until 2004. McGwire was using it before it was a classified as such, so keeping him out of the HOF for Andro is questionable. Another thing is we have no idea how many guys in the HOF consumed steroids. In 2000 a friend and myself took Andro for 30 days and the results were crazy good.

[@stereomois]

The problem with McGwire is that if you take out his four peak seasons, he is not a Hall of Famer. I'm no Barry Bonds fan, but he would have easily made the HoF without steroids, so I'm ok if he eventually gets in. If people want to complain that is a stain on the game, well, it is already there.

[@craigburnett6099]

Growing up in Dallas area we had no baseball until 70s. I loved the Reds. Followed them closely. These guys remind me of 2023 World Series Champs. Texas Rangers. I was in awe of Johnny Bench. He might go 0~4 but then hit one out in ninth to win. Definition of a Baseball hero. Even in retirement he is still a class act. I can’t imagine what he put his body thru to play so many games per year. Congrats Ohio, you guys have a legend. We had Pudge Rodriguez back about the time Bench retired. How can a team go all the way without a guy like this at catcher. I believe Reds are going to have a breakthrough season. They have assembled the talent. I felt same way last year about the Rangers and they broke thru. Hope to see Cincinnati fans next October in World Series, in Dallas Fort Worth.

[@yoholmes273]

The realest talk about PEDs in baseball from one of the true legends of baseball.

[@rmartin7558]

The player's union, team owners, commissioner, trainers, and media were all complicit when it came to steroids in baseball. Everyone knew what was going on, but they looked the other way because everyone was making money hand over first. They needed something to regenerate interest in baseball after the '94 strike and cancellation of the World Series. Home runs were flying out of ballparks, and the steroid summer of '98 saved baseball. They've already let steroid cheats in like Pudge Rodriguez, Jeff Bagwell and David Ortiz in the Hall of Fame. It's time we let all time greats like Bonds, Clemens and A-Rod in.

[@LawofAttractionSolutions]

C'mon, Joe Jackson was vindicated too. While many of these drugs were legal as far as the feds were concerned, they were against the rules of baseball. If we are going to put Bonds and Arod and a few others who blew up like blimps, then let's put in Pete Rose, too, and definitely Joe Jackson.

[@TheWasif]

I agree with Johnny. You can be vindicated and keep your stats and salary from using, but the Hall of Fame is an all-time comparative standard of greatness. Bonds was on his way to getting there, but his use tainted that.

[@pnelly5772]

O.J. Simpson was "vindicated" too. Commen sense still tells anyone with half a brain that they cheated. Pete Rose was never accused of gambling on baseball during his playing career when he became the all-time hits leader. He was never gonna be a HoF manager, but as a player, where's his vindication.

[@curtismartin2866]

What Rose did was so wrong that I would erase him from the record books. Unless he can show that he bet the same amount each night and every night, that means there were games the manager cared more about than others. Did Rose make pitching changes to win or to save his bullpen for the next night? Did I pay for a ticket to a game where my team competed at the highest level? If you have to ask that question, Baseball becomes no different than WWE. This goes to the very core of what sport is. Rose's actions are unforgivable.

[@pnelly5772]

@curtismartin2866 I agree, Rose's actions as a manager were disgraceful, he should never be allowed to manage again. How exactly does his actions as manager effect what he accomplished as a player, where there were never any gambling allegations rendered against him in his playing days. People need to learn to separate the two VERY DIFFERENT careers.

[@curtismartin2866]

@@pnelly5772 I do not separate them. I think that what he did as a manager obliterates what he did as a player. I would seriously remove all trace of Pete Rose from the record book. I realize I'm on the extreme end, but there can be zero tolerance for calling the very integrity of competition into question.

[@RobertDeMartin]

Pete Rose had (and probably still does) a gambling problem. Most individuals who are affected by that disease do it for the action more than the monetary results. And he doesn't appear to be the type of person who seeks help because that would be an admission he is weak. However, after saying that and understanding how professional sports have corrupted themselves by allowing open gambling on their sports, he should be vindicated and included in the Hall if he would come out and swear openly (or even take a lie detector test) that he never bet on the other team or did anything to disrupt managing a major league baseball team so that it could perform at the highest level of play possible. Personally, I don't like the guy but if he only bet on the Reds, then let him in.

[@curtismartin2866]

@@RobertDeMartin No. If Pete bet $100 on the Reds to win on Friday and bet $250 on the Reds to win on Sunday, what happens on Saturday? Was Pete betting more on Sunday because he knew his Bullpen was rested? Or that he gave his Right Fielder the night off on Saturday so he'd be ready for Sunday? Unless he bet the exact same amount to win on each game, there are just too many questions. If I save up to take my family to our one trip to see the Reds that year, and we happen to go on Saturday, is the Manager sandbagging so he makes back his Friday losses with an all out effort on Sunday? Now we're messing with the very thing that sets sports apart from other forms of entertainment.

[@denisdewolf3236]

Baseball was trying to recover from the 94 Strike, next thing you know; fans are coming back because of the Homer's. Bench was the greatest catcher of all time!

[@BurnNotice2023]

"Baseball wasn't testing", therefore I am innocent. Exactly why he isn't in the HOF.

[@rafaelramirez1507]

To me personally Johnny Bench is the best all-around catcher in baseball history eventhough Carlton Fisk is my favorite back stop ... much respect and admiration for Johnny Bench 👍👍

[@mitchmurray2260]

Iván Rodríguez was better than both of them

[@rogerl6212]

Buster Posey is better

[@brucegelman5582]

Keeping it real Johnny!

[@johnshinn5325]

Barry Bonds is a HOF! I wasn’t a fan cuz he wasn’t on my team BUT the dude is one of the greatest players of all time!

[@raybrendaglaze2019]

Bullsh!t!!! Look at his stats and you can see when the juicing started! Tells all I need to know about you I’d want to know…

[@johnshinn5325]

@@raybrendaglaze2019 and all I need to know about you! Keep drinking that haterade

[@supercharger72]

LOL

[@jehudavis5422]

​@@raybrendaglaze2019obviously you don't know baseball!!

[@jeffreyhill6990]

@@raybrendaglaze2019 More than half a dozen gold gloves and 3 league MVP awards before he started. Go home, you're drunk. lol

[@terrelparris8642]

Johnny Bench in my opinion, is one of the greatest catchers of all time. He hitting was great, and he was superb behind the plate. For Bonds and Sosa and the others didn't need the steroids and other enhancing drugs. Again, Mr. Bench was great!

[@terrybangley5416]

I saw him play in the minors , my dad was the radio broadcaster for the peninsula grays for whom bench played one season

[@castlejrichardson6308]

What Makes me Pissed off at this whole situation is the fact that every single one of everybody's Home Run still counts Mcguire, Sosa, Bonds, A-Rod, and you can go on and on including Pete Rose but will these guys ever see Cooperstown just saying???

[@drewjoaquin4761]

just remember when the media says that sports are about the fans, best to know they are lying through their teeth. if you ask just about any fan, they will tell you that Bonds deserves to be in the HOF, but the writers, who simply do not like Bonds as a person are keeping him out (and, not because he allegedly took steroids)!

[@SupplementalSense]

We all know that Bonds is one of the best players all-time regardless of PED use. Nobody does what he did on PEDs except Ted Williams. Nobody was like Barry before the use either. He was still so feared by pitchers, MVPs, Gold Gloves, base stealer etc.

[@stephendinon7658]

Thank you so much Johnny!

[@George-gk7nc]

YES, HE SHOULD BE. HE'S THE MOST FEARED BASEBALL ⚾️ PLAYER OF ALL TIME. AND DON'T MENSION ROIDS. EVEN SORRY PLAYERS TOOK THEM AND THEY WAS STILL SORRY

[@chicagosunshine5571]

Johnny is right about one important aspect: GNC did actually sell steroid-infused supplements for over a decade before the FDA stepped in. Even high school kids inadvertently were using.

[@donsemo4804]

If Bonds gets in the HOF, then Pete Rose should also be aloud in.

[@robtyler5074]

Pete Rose is loud, but he shouldn't be allowed.

[@jonbedker5229]

Bonds cheated the game, Pete didn't. But he is a legit Pedo. He impregnated a 14-year-old girl when he was like 35.

[@radar0412]

They didn't care if you were roided. Gambling however? Different story.

[@SamUrai-cy8bu]

Barry Bonds shouldn't give a shit if they let him in the Hall of Fame! His hitting was probably the most amazing athletic prowess in the history of mankind!

[@keyopronin4134]

Yes, find me a drug cocktail that gives you excellent hand eye coordination, Barry don't care & shouldn't.

[@jimmyz2098]

He's a cheater. Plain and simple. And sadly... he might have been one of the top 10 or 20 baseball players in history - without all the crap he pumped into his system. Most of us don't care if Bonds cares or not. He's not getting in. It's a slap in the face to the vast majority of those guys who are in the Hall - who did it the right way - and honorably. Character matters. To most of us.

[@shadowpapito]

Wow, that was a great interview! Great Job, guest and host.

[@tonya4029]

It’s like Bill Burr talking about Lance Armstrong,”He didn’t do anything to me, you know what that lie did? It raised millions of dollars for cancer research. You can’t blame a guy doing whatever it takes to get to the next level.” Canseco, McGuire, Sosa, Bonds etc, just did everything to get to the next level in that era.

[@tikka300wsm5]

And he made millions more dollars off it. Doesn't nean he gets the highest honor of his sport. Any cheater should be pulled from the HOF.

[@halhenderson9020]

Barry will never admit he used. Mark Mcguire did and host of others. Just say you did and take responsibility and maybe will see what happens. Barry a great player. Bat speed was incredible. Just a great ball player. But some kind of accountability needs to be taken. Too many great players who played by the rules and did everything right by the game are in the hall. It not right Barry , it just not right!

[@mikepetitti]

Agree. And of he (and others admit it), the topic dies. The only thing keeping the discussion alive is their denials in the face of the facts (although largely circumstantial facts).

[@tacotom3492]

He did but it wasn't banned .. you people don't follow shit but your own self interest .

[@sr-ty7gb]

Well they admitted and are not in either. Also. Pete Rose admitted what he did and is not in either.

[@jeffsamuels2539]

Y’all bogus. Mike Piazza Albert pujos in the hall they some cheaters too. Smh how the best hitter (arguably ever) and the best pitcher of the generation aren’t in the hall of fame but these other jokers are is a mockery of the hall #freeBARRY #freeRocket

[@viperguyz]

Barry’s not in the Hall is because he was a di(khead to the voters when he was playing. Now he wants their votes but they remember him well. My gosh he was the greatest player I’ve ever seen. People that don’t know and didn’t watch him play think that his best was 73hrs. He was walked intentionally hundreds of time, had not for that he would have got 100 plus homers easily 😂.

[@runitback2back]

Ortiz was 100% caught and they still let him in...

[@gahrie]

Bonds should be in the Hall of fame, but his plaque should have a footnote saying he juiced. Rose should have a plaque with a footnote saying he bet on baseball.

[@TherianL0v3r]

Barry Bonds belongs in the BHOF. He brought big fans to baseball, at that time. Steroids for days, he was the best hitter of, his time. He was a natural borned Baseball Player. His extraordinary skills on the field, we're all his. Love of the game, hard work, determination, most of all DNA, God Given. Barry Bonds belongs in the BHOF. No Doubt.

[@antoniorobles3498]

FACTS !!!!!

[@happysqWid]

The fact he still won't admit it is the problem. Baseball has proven, if you own up to the cheating, we can look past it, but the denial when the evidence is in front of our eyes is infuriating

[@williamzame3708]

That's nonsense. McGwire owned up to cheating and is not forgiven.

[@stephano.vargas]

Pete Rose might have something to say about your argument.

[@AnsticePalo]

Nobody has benefited from admitting to anything that the other side has no physical proof of. Period. Pete Rose isn't in, McGwire isn't in, Sosa isn't in, Palmeiro isn't in, Clemens isn't in, Pettitte isn't in, A-Rod isn't in. Only questionable one there is McGwire because all he did was hit home runs, and they all admitted to drug use when they got caught. Except Pete, who admitted to gambling.

[@williamgullett5911]

Bench was the best catcher.

[@davidburke9596]

I was listening to DP on radio the day they talked to Canseco about his upcoming book. DP begged Jose to keep quiet & let the public believe their Heroes were all clean. Sucks when the truth is Bad for Business.

[@juanarce9229]

I grew up watching Johnny the best catcher 5

[@CapAnson12345]

I've heard stories from minor leaguers about what it was like in those years.. two teammates would be something like .260/12 HR hitters.. nothing special.. then after the off season one would come back juiced to the gills and hit .320 with 30 HR and get to the majors and the other guy hit .260/12 HR like always and never make it. So the motivation to use that stuff was huge.

[@steelmill]

Parents raising their kids should be in the hall of fame,not some ball player playing a game.

[@tacotom3492]

What teammates...

[@HT-sm9dm]

@@steelmillwhat?

[@sr-ty7gb]

I've seen the impact! In quilt club, I use to make about 5 quilts a season more than Gertrude. She got hold of some steroids, and now she makes twice what I make. It just isn't fair.

[@obarbeito]

You can use all th3 steroids in the world, if your eyesight is bad, you won't hit that ball...

[@thomasryan5736]

Barry Bonds was the best player in the major leagues while he was with Pittsburgh. Mark McGuire was a natural slugger when he came up as a rookie and set a record for home runs. They were natural talents. They had HOF credentials until they started with steroids. They would have made the HOF if they abstained. Heavy price for bad decisions.

[@TimCarter]

Both were doing some sort of PEDs throughout their entire career. They didn't just start halfway. They were always cheating.

[@michaelmichaleto452]

Bonds was a HOF player when he left Pittsburg

[@michaell874]

Yes, of course he does, as does Roger Clemens, Shoeless Joe Jackson and Pete Rose. The fans is who made these guys famous. And their incredible careers warrant it.

[@raymondmontanez9284]

If Pete Rose is not in the HOF neither should Barry Bonds

[@vgr112261]

Betting on the game is different than using steroids.

[@mateo31]

​@@vgr112261using steroids is worse.🙄

[@EddieTheHorrorAddict]

@@mateo31that’s dumb. Pete rose bet on his own team. How is steroids worse when in comes to a team game lmao 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@mateo31]

@@EddieTheHorrorAddict No, your dumb. Pete Rose's number are real. He got all those hits without using PED's. Barry Bonds did not.

[@mateo31]

@@EddieTheHorrorAddict Pete Rose's numbers are real. All those hits were achieved without steroids. The same can't be said for Barry Bonds. Numbers matter for the HOF. If the numbers were cheated, it's definitely worse than betting on your team.

[@markwideman339]

Pete Rose should be in.

[@davej.meister5421]

Charlie Hustle had a ten cent head. He ruined Ray Fosse's career with that head on collision at the plate.

[@TimCarter]

In the Hall, but out of organized ball. There's a reason for the rule, even when you only bet on your team to win. There's another side to that. Pete was the Manager. On the games you didn't bet on, if you need your closer to go an extra inning, will you let him tire himself out, even though you might need him in tomorrow's game, the one you did bet on?

[@markwideman339]

@TimCarter you can't take away from how GREAT he was on the field. He has paid his dues. A Lifetime is ridiculous.

[@mrlafayette1964]

@@markwideman339 I agree, he's been punished enough. It would be great for baseball to see Pete go in.

[@Christopher-jk9bj]

years ago..10 times the player bonds was

[@martinalarcon3108]

My favorite baseball team as a kid and most of the kids I was playing with the big red machine 😮, I love ❤️ Dan Patrick what a true sports reporter should be doing , give me my sports news with out the politics , when espn was so fun to watch 😮and a must 😮

[@jasonmoyer]

Tom House said everyone was doing them already in the 60's. But for some reason the guys in the 90's are being held accountable for that whole era. Makes no sense to me.

[@michaelvstheworld3680]

Yes he does belong in HOF. I do not think BB took PED's until after McGwire and Sosa's single season HR chase because it was that same season when BB became the first to have 400 HR and 400 SB and got zero recognition for it. He was even quoted saying, "If homeruns is all people care about, then I will give homeruns."

[@richardclifford003]

Bottom line: Cheating is OK in your opinion. I feel sorry for your kids.

[@michaelvstheworld3680]

@richardclifford003 he was a hall of famer before the roids and always will be. I think Pete Rose should be in the hall fame, too. Best wishes to you and yours.

[@vaudou_]

​@@richardclifford003What a remedial reply. I feel sorry that your kids have to be taught by someone who possesses no ability to understand basic comments.

[@richardclifford003]

@@michaelvstheworld3680 Cheating is like a lie to a polygraph machine. It never matters how small the lie is, the polygraph will never the less indicate Deception Indicated. That line of reasoning means anyone, like Roger Clemens, should be inducted as well. Neither cheated for the good of the game but for themselves. Since the Steroid Era, I have not watched a single MLB game. Same with the NFL and the kneeling for the National Anthem and the "hands up" movement in Ferguson, MO, I have not watched a single game. I guess truth, honesty, and patriotism means more to me than most people. For the record, I'm a 23 year veteran who WAS a baseball and NFL fan.

[@teeheehee4494]

I thought the same. Too many folks waiting to insult. Ty

[@Peripateticmovement]

I love the high horse baseball takes on this stuff. They used to hand out amphetamines and tramadol freely.

[@antioch1975]

Not to mention owner collusion.

[@54raynor]

Not just amphetamines. Steroids were widely available in MLB clubhouses at least two decades before Barry Bonds, according to a government study cited in the Mitchell Report.

[@wesleypollas6326]

Bonds was a hall of famer before p.e.ds. Major League baseball deliberately turned a blindeye to it bc they profitted significantly from the players' usage of it. 👌I agree with Mr. Bench when he said that p.e.ds wasn't being tested for at the height of that time. Players were allowed to use amphetamines but ostracized for using anabolic steroids. That is hyprocrisy to say the least.👉

[@edwardbright9434]

Hey yes these guys should be in there

[@cmorales5]

This is the one thing I hare about Johnny Bench: he is so pure.... he hates Pete Rose to death and everyone on the PED era... because you know: he was so pure. Hypocrite to the core, vindictive. If you notice he tries to avoid a straight answer. IMO Bonds and Clemens are HOF... and Pete Rose as well. But Bench is so selfish and, again, so pure.....

[@mikej810]

I would add Mcgwire as well

[@evolvingnow5417]

I think honesty and perspective is the antiseptic that sets the Hall of Fame free in this situation...In the "glory days" of baseball there were jars of Bennies/uppers/pep pills in every major league clubhouse.....The era of Mays and Mantle was not pure....Back then I'm sure some players did and some players did not use these substances to remain in the lineup...There are players right now in the Hall of Fame who made use of these performance enhancers...That is a verifiable fact...Major League Baseball does not want to have this discussion because then they'd have to admit that performance enhancing substances have always been a part of baseball.....If they would acknowledge this fact then Barry, Roger, Mark and the like would have to be allowed to enter The Hall based on their accomplishments between the lines......Baseball purists have been using the best of the best during their era entry into the HOF to protect a false narrative about the purity of baseball before the steroid era.....Baseball is played by human beings who break down during the course of a 162 game season....There have always been substances in the clubhouse to mitigate the breakdown of the human body....Roger, Barry and Mark are being used to hold the false narrative that is baseball history.together,,,,,The old adage baseball adage is "If you aren't cheating you aren't trying"....That statement didn't become an adage because it wasn't true...It is time to give these great players their due with entry into The Baseball Hall of Fame instead of scapegoating them to continue the false purity narrative of those who think they are protecting baseball.....Roger, Barry, Mark and as much as it pains me to say this even Alex Rodriguez deserve better.....Just my 2 cents.

[@andrem.thomas332]

Fuck all that. They got know Klan members in the HOF

[@justinamenta7241]

Yeah Ivan Rodriguez, Pedro Martinez, and big Slopi all failed the anonymous steroid test and all got in first ballot....the voters are morons

[@dominicdavino252]

Your are absolutely correct. Walked thru National League club house after game with player and ask him what are those things in the bowls on the tables. His answer pills to pep us up before the game and after. That is the truth. Was more than likely happening in every clubhouse.

[@DamonMurphy1]

Is there a painting of a very old Johnny Bench in his attic?!?! Holy cow! That guy hasn't aged in 30 years - he still looks like he did in the late 90's!!!

[@johnrains8409]

Remember, the verdict is "not guilty," not innocent.