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 Reds home jersey during the 1980 season and signed the front in bold blue felt tip marker. Traditional white home pullover jersey has the C Reds circular logo embroidered in white stitch on red tackle twill on the left front breast with Bench’s number 5 in red tackle twill on the right, and a larger number 5 under his name in the same red tackle twill on the back. Sleeve ends are ringed in red and white elastic with red and white trim ringing the v-neck collar. Rawlings size-44 manufacturers tag with “Set 1 1980” flag tag is adhered to the inside right front tail. Jersey shows light to minimal wear and comes with Mears letter of opinion grading A-7.

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