Manufacturer: Topps
Set: 1968 Topps Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Johnny Bench
Position/Team: Catcher for Reds
Card #: 247
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Johnny Lee Bench is universally regarded as the greatest catcher in baseball history. His 17-year Major League Baseball career (1967-1983) was spent entirely with the Cincinnati Reds, where he was the undisputed leader of the legendary “Big Red Machine” of the 1970s.
Bench was a defensive marvel behind the plate. He possessed an exceptionally strong and accurate throwing arm, famously using a unique one-handed catching style that protected his bare hand from foul tips. He was an expert at handling pitching staffs and calling games. His defensive excellence earned him 10 consecutive Gold Glove Awards from 1968 to 1977, a record for catchers.
After a brief call-up in 1967, Bench burst onto the scene in his first full season in 1968, hitting .275 with 15 home runs and 82 RBIs, earning him the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Bench’s individual peak came in the early 1970s. He won his first NL MVP Award in 1970, leading the league with 45 home runs and 148 RBIs. He earned his second MVP in 1972, hitting 40 home runs and leading the league with 125 RBIs.
Bench was the heart and soul of the “Big Red Machine” that dominated the National League in the mid-1970s. This dynastic team won six division titles, four National League pennants, and most importantly, back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976. He was a 14-time All-Star.
Johnny Bench was an obvious first-ballot Hall of Famer, inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989 with an overwhelming 96.4% of the vote. Beyond the stats, he was known for his intense focus and determination. His number 5 is retired by the Cincinnati Reds, and he was named to the MLB All-Century Team.
Johnny Bench’s most iconic and highly sought-after card is this 1968 Topps #247 rookie card. The 1968 Topps set is famous for its “wood grain” or “burlap” border design. The #247 card is a “Reds Rookies” multi-player card, featuring Bench alongside pitcher Ron Tompkins.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
➡️ See All 1968 Topps Rookie Card Prices
Pricing chart includes raw card price & some graded card value estimates.
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