Baseball
Related: About this forumFirst catcher to ever win a ROY award
Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds 1968
rurallib
(63,177 posts)I am thinking many of those awards were post-WWII, so not having a catcher win one until 1968 wouldn't be all that strange. Also if I recall, many catchers don't move directly into full time starting jobs right away.
Just thinking of some of the catchers of that era who may have been passed over for a ROY -
Earl Battey, Johnny Roseboro, Randy Hundley, Ellston Howard - just a few from my old memory.
Ohiogal
(34,546 posts)The award was started in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA. They selected a winner every year from 1940 through 1946. The award became national in 1947; Jackie Robinson, the Brooklyn Dodgers' first baseman, won the first award.
From 1947-48, it was given to the Majors' best overall rookie, but has been given to one player per league since 1949.
Bench was a mere 20 years old when he won the award.
rurallib
(63,177 posts)Bench was one incredible player.
Ohiogal
(34,546 posts)rurallib
(63,177 posts)with the likes of Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Griffey and Foster in the outfield. Man they were loaded. Bench was the key to the team.
Ohiogal
(34,546 posts)Another thing about Johnny Bench was that I remember the announcers liked to call him The Swinger from Binger. since he hailed from the small town of Binger, Oklahoma.
Im trying to recall who was on the pitching staff ....
rurallib
(63,177 posts)I vaguely remember they had a pretty decent stopper, but can't remember his name.
Ohiogal
(34,546 posts)Dr. Hook