Johnny Bench

" Sports radio weei -- holly program Michaels on vacation -- mccallum is an I'm dale Arnold joining us in studio. Is only one of the greatest catchers in the history of major league baseball and kind of ironic timing given Jason Garrett takes injury and all are talking of catching -- last a couple of days. The incomparable Johnny ventures in here and it's great to visit with thank i i asked -- frank on last hour should i ask bench if he's got -- eligibility last."

" Well about a million dollars I'm but that latex on equipment an apartment what's left -- I'm reading -- walking down the government try to do. Let's Wakefield pitch I'm Hampshire and sparky one time can amendments that -- get its hands -- filmmaker -- think -- victory -- our guests so it leads you to visualize that there --"

" I. Think they probably are they've got Ken -- Libya kind of -- during the guys victor I'm a little bit a little bit of time in the big leagues but they would like upgrade at the very least their backup position behind her belly and there. They're making phone calls and seeing what's out there but of course it's harder to do after July 31 trying to get someone through waivers that complicates matters two days ago minarets are caricatures on their roster them. The. Other there's some people that probably could be movement pardon to do now and original the. Red Sox claim catcher don't think -- least of all the Yankees or thanks what what what's the state that's catching now Johnny coming from from a retired players perspective looking at the position now you've got a terrific guy that everyone's talking about Minnesota Joe Mauer who. Who. Has been prematurely compared view but what what's your thought about the position Allen and and the quality of the in the big."

" System is still are Brian McKenna Atlanta -- young catchers execute the .3 years old i think that if i -- now okay name the ten greatest catchers industry. And let you start and you get you know minor tendon well we concluded we could could and -- and you know and -- very early in -- we can include -- and Ted Simmons from anything and through that period of time. But when you're really look at the history of baseball 137 years probably Hampton thirteen in all things only got him probably catches it should really -- It's spread out it's every and every two seniors -- thirteen your camera to capture the move and play defense and everything else you've always had pretty good defensive catchers. And -- the morning had to be pretty good throwing him receiving the ball so. Right. Now -- in -- pilots carry that label for so long now at fourteen or fifteen years cutesy and spurs curriculum Lehman Brothers could -- you know we've got David Ross slower over there. In positions improved but he never never approved they improved offensively we've got guys that can still -- running game. But -- for its exposition in the order and what what are your thoughts of my -- how much seen him i think he's a lot like Ted Williams more than anybody coming you know it's still early -- over the period time we really want to talk about it -- before i had not revisionist -- man the picnic you know came over me problems and then you start to wonder you know -- Hansel things ago with its I mean it's such longevity and staying away from an injury that you know -- for the first two years and then suffer an expert for your reason and they can do a lot of things of these bring them back -- a lot of things. But this pretty numbers of young man always -- a great athlete personally you know has occurred athlete who has played football -- you know. And he's got only -- quarterbacks you understand these recall pretty good game he's in a situation is American leaguer obviously be. If you can back -- it's written over there and so -- pretty good position to be my first year in 19685450 games missed the first -- start on me he's going to be able to -- he's going to be able to prevail in the rates so them. In them a wishing well which of another 1015 years and if that comes that we catchers in the past Craig -- on the pretty good chance to make all of claims are pretty well they're offering numbers really. Planned second baseman dale Murphy who trouble catching but it it is and they moved him to center field them. Heats up the bouncing ball -- but it was going from the opposite directions it's you know it's still something for him to get around in the camera looks like he's got a pretty good future -- you know and there's guys are probably wouldn't have missed them and not seen enough you know they're still there and after Arthur preventive as a."

" Going. To ask you about the physical toll has Jason got hurt here coupled his goal undergo art arthroscopic knee surgery tomorrow i don't know how many people realize that in April of 1975. You're in a collision at home plate with Gary Matthews you played the entire season with a shoulder injury in fact you needed surgery in November when this season and didn't some of us remember -- the season ended 1975 his is there any day. After the first day of spring training where catcher feels good."

" There there's probably three or four days in a row you know and then all of a sudden you get that I. Had six scores on shots every three weeks after the collision i never i couldn't sleep at nine you know left shoulder I had -- turned back to go to my left side left side right side or suffered through the long surgery in 1972 that two part of -- along so. There's there's the felt tips off at the hands felt tipped off the shoulders it's the collisions at home plate to see an RC what Joe was doing hitting wise and see white catchers are always street jitters it is pretty understandable. Because just about the time you call one on the thumb and spring that Thalmann and expanding corporate swing the bat some of them don't want to just take often cut -- and take off the -- it's right. In about time it's healed and something else bounces and -- that that the Islamic and bricks breakup should take Mary -- told us with the travel on everything else -- ever days when ever i was -- the last colonial deployment of i have actually stand up and try to stand -- and -- about the legs just to get just to get going they're so many great things you call a good game your program as you bought home plate you get bases there. There's so many pluses to it but at the same time. Advisers how would look back with pluses anymore there was the you know I'd let me who i was -- at the same time it to Texas hello."

" It and you look at the age -- which some characters start to breakdown you played some third base for the -- year career that's org army retired Mike -- is a guy that they try to define playing time for at first base and some other places -- a little smarter about not running guys into the ground there with the way they were a generation ago."

" Yeah i think they've also -- the idea platoon and they're finding out that you know unless you've really got some superstar captured your mind you're going monster better off with -- you're gonna get a lot of production. Last. Year -- Hitler and -- balance and then and i think he put the numbers together probably they were always good water -- them in the whole league in all of baseball is for certain numbers were concerned. And you know this -- probably happen again David Ross coming over an emerging Ellen no word would be very excellent defensive catcher and. And number bats per home run right up there you know in the top of the league so i think they're realizing that. In other guys need to -- off it's not so much in the travels -- your. At the same time that -- him after the nine game you know like hybrid have rules you know now -- you every 20 Monday's day off and -- back and six -- 54 days or without avail them."

" You had that incredible workload but -- you think about guys that were a little more fortunate to stay healthier longer sort of not contemporaries of yours because not soon not long after in Boone and -- who got over two thousand games behind the plate. Mean that seems just impossible to reach now given the demands of the position and and what they do with the."

" You can't imagine what they endured. And I are hurt but i was i was -- i have -- surgeries or anything else money problems these guys were two hours before and after the game icing on the ironies now that I mean that it's either you know him a lot of money in your life for you need you know you and George -- They they were amazing to me and they still didn't you know when they got on the field -- still did it they still handle the pitching staff they still threw well as -- their legs underneath them. But to see them after the game and shooter you know how many rights i expect they -- mean and shortly in the park anytime soon they probably got their probe through talks started doing the preparation and probably after the game. Over -- April general terrible ballpark until midnight just to do that and to -- that but. They're one of the kind that age they still have proven they were so good that that you have to respect what what they could do and as a result they they were and they can still be in the lineup and be effective."

" You can't confirm a story formed from 1975 there's a story that late July of 75. You're gonna play the giants. John manifesto says that he's going to shut out the reds and strike Johnny bench out for time's right let's close -- lasted inning and a third gave up seven runs and you hit a three run home run is that the true story we actually say that."

" There. Was 32 minutes and I'm thinking -- these -- about it strike me and it's at three -- an accident. He's problem is not -- the slaughter blogs now bribery and. At. All -- there and and and their -- was laughing -- prayer they -- victorian area where it was that i -- we're only in the in the adequate account I -- promises for all of us because you know he talked and talked and some other time -- never never was enough shouting -- but in Zambia operatives are too."

" As a lifelong national leaguer you were part of a great team of Cincinnati see the big red machine. And. It time win the national league dominated baseball that in part because i think they were quicker to integrate you look at the 60s and see them. African American and Latino players nationally where the American league was lowered to come around on that now the going to slip a little bit and the American league clearly them is the superior league is this just the cyclical thing what what do you make -- the change them."

" Well the national league gotten a fellow with a big ball parks and then they started going proceed now they want to steal first base and everything else almost every line up at three or four guys who can run. And. Then on the DH started coming in all of a sudden guys are saying over the -- parker you know kind of smaller -- hundred -- bombers here. And. Then when he saw Canseco and -- or -- them in 1990 at the all star game in Cincinnati. Our current yeah i guess it was real differences then and there and balls of the -- seats like they were nothing I mean like it was nothing and all of a sudden you can see all of a sudden. The big real strong sleek athletes start to move -- to the American league and yet you know financially -- planned defense and we got a steal some bases -- Mexico's heartland in 1975 was complete blend our net. But we -- three -- four guys -- an album Paul -- a lot of teams that have that ability so they start with that it's all ball speed ball always for a long time until all of a sudden you know now -- American league just goes just right on past him and as big talkers mean they're very patient Adam great athletes. And we probably had little bit of it Latin and and they former -- came over. But i think it's just happened -- and Earl -- and those -- and -- this morning three run -- and -- and -- became fun -- lot of guys -- actually go over the offensive because -- they -- In all the DH is meant you know we're good hitters -- certainly -- commencement you put two more guys and then had a great opportunities."

" tolerance for the longest time the single season home run record for a long time it was you're -- guy George Foster was sit and nobody was tough -- him for years and years and years how little power hitter was."

" Well is that -- your -- it was 1975 because i Acura in mind that. It's right curls up on Manhattan's -- this and i told us -- relegated us with a per month -- it was like coming to mind that it's in Europe and that's when -- yelled no no no no go go go go land the little girl goes. It. Was it was George and George Georgia ability look like that's the doubles. And someone. That i mean its fighters were otherwise 45 for al Amin -- the matter with yours are prepared to super lines such degrees -- And it was York and -- and so focused on what really been able to bring them."

" You i think you're in Cooperstown over the week are large enough for induction ceremonies consider there have been a number of. Fairly recent players who were in the hall things look at yourself who have expressed. They're dismay over the prospect of some power hitters who have been either through testimony or innuendo been linked to enhancements what is your feelings run the. Validity of the Hall of Fame career is people like McGwire and Canseco and bonds and Sosa and others that have been -- well."

" Ireland Italy two of those things i I'm still wearing for the verdict come in i just feel like -- which -- him and they're probably be if you which -- that are burned at the statement at same time i think what we're doing -- guys there are proven guilty and without without any you know any I guess policy test -- about you know i think Canseco averted admitted to it so that's out as far as I'm concerned I. Think the thing about what we've what we've seen in -- personal stock qualified this whole thing so -- that that doesn't I. Think guys were going to do everything possible in order to better themselves you see that society's well i think that mark McGuire you know they want to bury him for what he'd do -- congress or anything else and for the before the question was. Which stated to them i think the congressman -- you don't have to answer you don't want to which is what most attorneys would say if you don't have to answer adult is keep your mouth -- well you know as. As we as sports aficionados say well that's that's an admission of deal I i think mark our state -- state graceful during that period of time i think he's put up numbers i don't see any positives that come his way. You. Know if somebody gets indicted that's another case until we get rules in place i think -- it's another case. It's going to be a lot of soul searching you've brought your vote yes to do so. You you'll searchers -- a lot of guys will not vote for him the first year and they might not vote for in the next 20 years can't say i mean there's always been one reason the other for you know people's judgment. But I you know with I. Think a lot of people hold off because measures -- Alan and Tony I. Think bill rather than make it you know case in that situation and they may hold off but you know the numbers are there i can't say that mark Anwar's guilt haven't I can assume that he may have taken you know you and grow -- water -- was and where those things are legal or whatever i don't GMC wants to sell a thing about one -- taken a man who don't hurt you know my golf -- is -- right now. Everybody -- take something back on the field i think some are we are we doing. All we can baseball i think -- and they -- the rights right direction now with what major league baseball players association is given and now they're trying to coordinate all these tests and i RS are several commission -- redoing everything we're testing for everything. He's still believes it. That -- still things to be found out and i don't think we should were rushing to judgment and i think Hughes is what he keeps saying is well let's wait until all verdicts are -- enrollment decision."

" Johnny is in -- representing DHL as they are opening up a program called major league baseball hometown heroes balloting all 30 major league teams you can vote at Fenway Park. And and what has happened is five players have been nominated from each team in terms of on field contributions character leadership. And you pick from those five nominees and you try to -- The most outstanding player in your team's history an impossible task -- how do you and i give you an example for the red -- ago you -- Roger -- speaker Jim -- Ted Williams Carly is French ski site. How how did you go wrong voting for any."

" Exactly exactly what i think what we're trying to do and -- and the -- involved with is he really loves is side as -- i was historian as well i think what is monitors on a low close ups -- generation gaps in -- Lawyer kids going to -- here in owners Ted Williams who cy young for sure so i think it was going to do is it's going to brings us here in Boston remember their -- have so many generations. That. They are going to start you know maybe maybe they're going to sit down with a kids and grandkids and all the stuff and say you know let's -- vote let's vote on duty thing and why should this be analogy to give me a reason to vote for but Detroit Tigers of the Detroit Tigers."

" I do right here Ty Cobb Charlie guarantee your hank Greenberg al k line Allen forum I. Had to look at me the only -- you want to play the Cincinnati Reds -- four of these five played together right zanetti rents Joe Morgan Tony Perez Pete rose frank Robinson and some guy named --"

" Francs on the -- moralist as well -- you know you -- George one way or the other but you know that's so big red machine that we're pretty modern compared to what. You. Know you're talking about the Yankees with obviously -- during the month from now -- and you know words and these kids are -- come on stay warm words Derek Jeter why the real."

" Bernard Williams and -- i mean they realize that there are more familiar with it and that's speaks to the tradition that some of these teams have. That. There is an Yankees who played past 1969 on the atlas and now -- free agency is ever going to be currently resides very uranium and a couple of people like that. There's right in position you."

" And go to the ballpark and you can go to MLB dot com and vote in DHL this usa dot com in -- shipping center but i think as you can vote as much as you want you can write and we want. But. It people who since World War daughter -- about McCormick -- ever -- item i nobody's nobody's telling you the only people I'm telling people banker Oklahoma's have to vote. And unless -- we have a computer and --"

" Moments on the archer what i would try to figure out as i look through the list there are some guys playing now were on some of these lists Mike Adelson and Kansas City Mark Teixeira and Texas is on the list right now and obviously that more current team."

" I mean you get Todd Helton of Colorado ordinary walking as say in the Canadian -- so i mean that's going to be fun and you know we've gone on the list and. What happened was that a lot of the ball each ballpark was given an opportunity to pick the five. And. Then turned over to a major league baseball panel that would finish up the list or agree with the list or not or if the ball club didn't want anything to do with. Then major league baseball practice capitalism -- the economy we're real you go online and moby dot com look we want to see them we want to vote foreign. Hopefully we got by erosion can you know you can make your own decision have a little fun with that that morning -- America is -- the baseball people think about here's a great trivia."

" It's one of the rather i was gonna stay in navy i think -- curt -- could have been on the Diamondbacks is --"

" Was -- Phillies when -- asked Diamondbacks he's not though now. Randy Johnson has been virtually but Josh -- one of the five nominees for the Florida Marlins on."

" Wrong hurting him -- amazing. Still amazing fact -- Europe a pro am tournament used them. And seen as Roger probably won't be busy in October. It's bullet -- that's surprising ball club and then all of us whatever all its virtual rally that propaganda i don't understand what's going on Armenian Olympic third baseman hitting the ball like he did last year people match of the year a lot of different."

" And let me ask you one quick question -- to go because we we were mentioning Jim rice is on the list of Red Sox nominees. The have a thought about Jim rice's possibility of being in the Hall of Fame someday."

" You. Know he's he's right there coming you look at the numbers -- pretty well that you did you know you distinguish yourself by batting titles home runs rbi titles and everything else from your team winning MV p.s whatever it is -- It's like Andre Dawson and and you know you sit down look at these guys say. You. Know. And. They don't i think names create an individual and Jim was. There you know living -- it really gave him credit that he ever stood out -- you may have been play it appears that better numbers sort of Arusha and it. His numbers are very similar teammate of yours -- years -- home -- the very very -- it was actually -- actually -- American -- writers. Like for pure and John saw him but -- disarmament of career around Santa. Ross that was of the hall of Famer maybe he left and came over the White Sox and the people who saw him was -- voters of the all of thing saw him as it. Label and at that time after 1978 seniors -- probably couldn't -- hundred awesome. You. Know there's going to be there's they'll still question -- thing always hurt them in this great year for him that this past year members got. That's when you look at somebody and it's amazing well you know why aren't -- writers looking at this and -- the same thing yours but this was -- redo -- next year. Don't -- slowing crowded downtown they starters -- pushing down the list and thing don't think so this year. And. Then another year goes by minutes all of a sudden a government committee thing and they actually trying to change look at the way the veterans of the committee's voting as well and. Then there's guys -- you know -- in making fifteen years them. How -- they deserve -- after fifteen years."

" The HL presents major league baseball hometown heroes balloting it is open now you can vote ball parks you can vote at Fenway Park is as Johnny said you can go to MLB dot com. And vote there you can go to the DHL dash usa dot com and and find out where you can vote it's a great idea and will engender a lot of the this Balkan -- human -- freedom forum more artwork. It. Was a real -- they had to -- invisibly thank -- Johnny bench joining us will be back tomorrow live at Gillette and patriots training camp here on sports radio w media"