I am sitting here, looking out the window, hoping the rain will stop. That is because this is the weekend of the Marine Corps Celebrity Invitational and tonight is Family Night. Everyone in Jacksonville, NC, military and non-military, is invited to a free barbecue, fireworks, and an autograph session with some of the celebrities playing in the golf tournament. I want to go because one of baseball’s greats, Johnny Bench, will be there tonight.
Johnny Bench was a standout on his high school baseball team in Oklahoma. Taking advice from his father who said playing catcher was probably the quickest way to the major leagues, Johnny responded with a natural talent for the position. He was signed in the amateur draft in 1965 by the Cincinnati Reds and after two seasons in the minor leagues, he finally made it to the big show. In 1968, he won the National League Rookie of the Year honors, batting .275, hitting 15 home runs, and knocking in 82 RBIs. Johnny spent 16 years in Major League Baseball and in that time, he won 10 Golden Gloves, he was named 1972’s Most Valuable Players, and he was on the National League All-Star team 12 times.
Of his sixteen years in the majors, he played the last three years at first or third base, as playing catcher can wreak havoc on a player’s knees. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in 1989. Players must receive a certain percentage of votes before being inducted and Johnny received 96% – the third highest ever. It was a sign that not only the fans, but also his fellow players love him. He was named to the All Century team in 1999.
One of the greatest things about Johnny is not only all of his baseball accomplishments, but also his dedication to helping worthy causes. That is why he is playing in the MCCI this weekend, to support our troops. He also makes appearances to help aid the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the Kidney Foundation, the American Lung Association, and the Catch the Cure program in Cincinnati.
So, I am hoping the rain stops tonight so we can go out and get a photo of Johnny and his autograph. What better sports role model for my son to know?
