born December 7, 1947, Oklahoma City, Okla., U.S.
U.S. baseball player.
Bench joined the Cincinnati Reds in 1967. During his 17 seasons catching for them (196783), he helped lead the team (with Pete Rose and Joe Morgan ) to four National League pennants (1970, 1972, 1975, 1976) and two World Series victories (1975, 1976). Batting right-handed, he led the National League in runs batted in three times (1970, 1972, 1974) and twice in home runs (1970, 1972). He is regarded as one of the greatest defensive catchers ever to play the game.