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First catcher to ever win a ROY award (Original Post) Ohiogal Jan 2020 OP
Any idea how long had that award been given before Bench won it? rurallib Jan 2020 #1
According to the MLB website Ohiogal Jan 2020 #2
Thanks - that is interesting rurallib Jan 2020 #3
Yes, he was! Ohiogal Jan 2020 #4
That whole group was something else rurallib Jan 2020 #5
Absolutely. The Big Red Machine. Ohiogal Jan 2020 #6
Sparky yanked the starters pretty quick rurallib Jan 2020 #7
They used to call Sparky Ohiogal Jan 2020 #8

rurallib

(63,177 posts)
1. Any idea how long had that award been given before Bench won it?
Fri Jan 3, 2020, 06:03 PM
Jan 2020

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)
2. According to the MLB website
Fri Jan 3, 2020, 06:18 PM
Jan 2020

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)
5. That whole group was something else
Fri Jan 3, 2020, 06:29 PM
Jan 2020

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)
6. Absolutely. The Big Red Machine.
Fri Jan 3, 2020, 06:35 PM
Jan 2020

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.

I’m trying to recall who was on the pitching staff ....

rurallib

(63,177 posts)
7. Sparky yanked the starters pretty quick
Fri Jan 3, 2020, 06:37 PM
Jan 2020

I vaguely remember they had a pretty decent stopper, but can't remember his name.

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