| Johnny Bench |
| #5 |
| Bio/Key Stats |
|
| Key Characteristics |
Few catchers in major league history have embodied the blue-collar position player better than Johnny Bench. His career
spanned from 1967 until 1983, and during that time, he proved to be much more than just a back stop. He was THE backstop.
During his fantastic career he mostly used Hillerich & Bradsby or Louisville Slugger bats. Though a few Adirondack examples
are known to exist, they are extremely limited and don't seem to carry the premium that a nice example of an H&B gamer.
The key characteristics when looking for a game used Johnny Bench bat are the pine tar application and knob markings;
especially the application of his uniform number.
Pine Tar Application
With regard to the use of pine tar by Johnny Bench it seems that the myth may actually have surpassed the reality. While it
is visually pleasing to have a bat with heavy pine tar on the handle, his own use of tar is extremely varied throughout his
career with no clear pattern. The largest and really only consistency is the location of the tar. When using it in any amount
Bench applies the tar on the handle from the knob to about 14" up on the handle. There should be very little pine tar near the
centerbrand. Because of the obvious visual appeal, Bench bats that are heavily tarred usually sell for a premium.
Knob Markings
Bench was very particular about the manner in which he marked the knobs of his bats. Almost without exception Bench bats
will feature a very prominent '5' marked in the center of the knob in either red or black marker.
In fact, the style in which the 5 is written is a very important characteristic by itself. Johnny's style of '5' will quite often
feature an angled "hat" of the 5 meaning that the very top horizontal stroke of the number will often be at a 10 to 20 degree
angle.
Some examples of his bats have also been seen with the Roman numberal "V" in place of the typical '5'. Either is acceptable,
but the regular 5 is much more common.
spanned from 1967 until 1983, and during that time, he proved to be much more than just a back stop. He was THE backstop.
During his fantastic career he mostly used Hillerich & Bradsby or Louisville Slugger bats. Though a few Adirondack examples
are known to exist, they are extremely limited and don't seem to carry the premium that a nice example of an H&B gamer.
The key characteristics when looking for a game used Johnny Bench bat are the pine tar application and knob markings;
especially the application of his uniform number.
Pine Tar Application
With regard to the use of pine tar by Johnny Bench it seems that the myth may actually have surpassed the reality. While it
is visually pleasing to have a bat with heavy pine tar on the handle, his own use of tar is extremely varied throughout his
career with no clear pattern. The largest and really only consistency is the location of the tar. When using it in any amount
Bench applies the tar on the handle from the knob to about 14" up on the handle. There should be very little pine tar near the
centerbrand. Because of the obvious visual appeal, Bench bats that are heavily tarred usually sell for a premium.
Knob Markings
Bench was very particular about the manner in which he marked the knobs of his bats. Almost without exception Bench bats
will feature a very prominent '5' marked in the center of the knob in either red or black marker.
In fact, the style in which the 5 is written is a very important characteristic by itself. Johnny's style of '5' will quite often
feature an angled "hat" of the 5 meaning that the very top horizontal stroke of the number will often be at a 10 to 20 degree
angle.
Some examples of his bats have also been seen with the Roman numberal "V" in place of the typical '5'. Either is acceptable,
but the regular 5 is much more common.
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| Knob Markings |
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| Hall of Fame Bats |
| Specializing in All Eras of Professional Model Game Used Bats |
| Updated December 20th, 2007 |
| Established in 2006 |
