It’s hard to pick just one name that would be synonymous with Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine of the 1970’s, but you could make a case that catcher Johnny Bench was the face of the franchise during his 17-year career with the team. Bench burst on the scene capturing the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1968 and was the league’s MVP in 1970 and 1972. He knocked a respective league- leading 45 and 40 home runs while also leading the league with 148 and 125 RBI. Amassing 13 perennial All-Star appearances from 1968-1980 and a farewell nod for good measure in his final season of 1983.

Bench wore this size-44 Rawlings Reds home pullover jersey during the 1973 season and signed the front in black felt tip marker. This now off-white or cream-colored jersey has the Reds wishbone “C” logo on the upper left chest in sewn on red tackle twill and white chenille stitching, with Bench’s number “5” in red tackle twill on the upper right chest. The wishbone “C” displays fading on the red tackle twill. The back of the jersey has the number “5” and “BENCH” sewn on in large lettering the same red tackle twill. Sleeve ends are ringed in red and white elastic, which are in good condition and red and white trim ringing the v-neck collar, which displays some fading. Rawlings size-44 manufacturers tag is adhered to the inside right front tail. This jersey shows moderate game use with stains and toning. The jersey was re-cycled to the minors as there is remnants of “51” on the front and back by the number "5" that can be seen and the name was removed as well. All of the numbers and letters have been restored, but the Reds wishbone “C” on the front of the jersey is original. This item comes with a LOA from noted game used jersey expert Dave Miedema and a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication (A74379) for the signature.

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