This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/11/2023.
A two-time MVP and known as the best catcher in major league history, Johnny Bench led the league in HRs twice and RBIs three times. His Cincinnati Reds dominated the NL in the 1970s winning four pennants and back-to-back world championships in 1975-76. Bench won the Rookie of The Year award and first of 10 Gold Gloves in his first full season in 1968. Hillerich & Bradsby manufactured B728 model bat that measures 35.5 inches and weights 32 ounces. The Ash wood bat with a Flame Burned finish shows evidence of heavy use with a handle crack that has been professionally repaired. Very slight checking (grain swelling) from repeated ball contact is visible on the back barrel. Many ball marks and ball stitch impressions are visible on all sides of the barrel. Ball marks include black ink transfers. Also visible on the bat are green and red bat rack streaks and there is a heavy coat of pine tar on the handle. The model number (B278) is stamped into the knob and Bench’s number (5) is written on the knob in fading black marker. Bench signed and inscribed the bat on the barrel “Johnny Bench HOF 89”, in black marker, in our opinion rating a 9. This bat was presented to us as game-used and in our opinion shows excellent use. Accompanied by a PSA/DNA LOA grading the bat a GU 9.5, as well as a full JSA LOA.