Johnny Bench, Cincinnati’s Number 5, is the benchmark against which other catchers are still often compared. As Rookie of the Year in 1968, Bench controlled the game on both sides of the plate with his hitting (.267 with 389 home runs and a then-record 327 as a catcher), calling pitches, blocking home plate, throwing out opposing base runners. Bench won two MVP awards and ten Gold Gloves during his 17 seasons as one of the leaders of the team.