Catch Every Ball by Johnny Bench
October 7th, 2008Title: Catch Every Ball
Author: Johnny Bench
Publisher: Orange Frazer Press (2008)
As a Cincinnatian sports fan, it is mandatory to be a giant fan of everyone from the Big Red Machine. As you grow up, you are taught to ignore the general slimy nature of Pete Rose and focus only on the hits and the hustle…not the gambling and tax evasion. You are taught to focus on the speed and elbow waggle of Joe Morgan…not the arrogance and announcing incompetence. The other members of the Big Red Machine are treated as near deity in Cincy. Davy Concepcion is the greatest shortstop ever to play the game (even though his numbers don’t support that!) and Johnny Bench is the greatest catcher to ever play the game…and actually, that’s true. And in his new book, Catch Every Ball, he wants you to know it.
I came across this problem when I reviewed iWoz by Steve Wozniak. I imagine it is difficult to write an autobiography without coming across as cocky. You are expected to write about all your accomplishments without fawning over yourself. So if you are generally regarded as an arrogant person in the first place…I guess listing everything great you are have ever done isn’t going to come off very well.
Anyway…Johnny Bench was an awesome baseball player. The best catcher ever. He was named as the catcher on the All-Century team. He hit 389 home runs, won 10 gold glove awards, was selected to 14 all-star games, was a first ballot Hall of Famer, and of course, won 2 World Series Rings. He was incredibly talented and every once in a while I see a tape of him playing back in his prime and he was awesome.
Now, Catch Every Ball isn’t only about baseball stats…it is really a motivational lecture. Bench wants to teach you how become successful at whatever you are doing. His main suggestions are to ask questions, surround yourself with intelligent people, move on after triumph and tragedy, have confidence in yourself, take control of your life, and believe in yourself. He makes these points by telling stories from his life, mostly baseball stories.
My favorite baseball story was when he was catching a rookie pitcher, and the pitcher kept shaking off the pitch that Bench wanted him to throw. The pitcher wanted to throw a fastball, so Bench let him…and CAUGHT THE PITCH WITH HIS BARE HAND. He then ran out the pitcher and (politely, I’m sure) told the pitcher to throw what was called. That’s awesome. Incredibly awesome.
Even though Bench is pretty arrogant, i enjoyed the baseball stories from the book. I would recommend that anyone who is a Cincinnati Reds’ fan get a copy of this book for your collection.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
You might like these...
October 7th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
you forgot to rate it
October 13th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I was middle schooler in Dayton during the age of the Big Red Machine and still love those guys…yea, I know, but childhood heroes are always seen through the veil of youth. 3 years ago my mom and I sat in the pouring rain at a Ft. Myers Miracle Minor League game to get George Foster autograph…crazy!! I love that Johnny Bench could palm 7 baseballs.
December 7th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I have often wondered if you are related to the Choctaw Bench family of Boswell, Oklahoma. I went to school with Paul Bench. Is it possible he is your father.
December 29th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Got this book as a Christmas gift. I am being developed into a catcher at a D1 college. I have never played this position but see many similarities with myself and Johnny Bench. What an inspirational story to help develop into the best catcher I can become. Thank You Mr. Bench for sharing your life’s story and Vowels for Success.
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:43 pm
It was 1969, when I was fifteen that I joined my father as a Red’s fan. I eatched or listened to every game through the 1970’s – a very dedicated Johnny Bench and Big Red Machine fan.I tracked his every ball, strike and hit into a scrapbook with news clippings etc. One of my fondest memories as at 18 was attending a game at Riverfront and watching the power and prowess of Johnny Bench. His arm was ledgendary against any player wanting to steal second! When I saw the Ellen show I didn’t blame George Clooney for being caught because that would be the one thing that would catch my attention too! The great memories of success and victory that Johnny gave us will carry through out our lives!
January 23rd, 2009 at 6:33 pm
My belief in Johnny Bench is so strong that I am purchasing nine copies of his book to give to seven boys ages 7-14, in my family,who appear to have the natural athletic ability and desire to play ball but only one seems to have the drive to take it all the way. Perhaps they will find what they need in Johnny’s book to do it and some day can thank him personally. The eight for my father who was in Patton’s Third Army, who saw the horror and rescued inmates from concentration camps loved and used baseball, in small ways, as a way to bring kids together to enjoy their life of freedom and was an avid Big Red Machine fan. Of course,the last one is for me. Thanks Johnny Bench for enriching our lives and showing what dedication can do.