Johnny Bench – Sports Radio Service

Johnny Bench the former Cincinnati Reds great catcher at the Hall of Fame induction that was held at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Sat Jul 15, 2023 commented this week Wed May 14, 2025 on the passing of his former teammate Pete Rose (AP file photo)

Best Catcher of the Modern era talks about Pete Rose

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Johnny Bench was Pete Rose’s teammate during the last Cincinnati Reds glory years in the 1970s; he knew Rose as well as any other player. Arguably the best catcher in the modern era of baseball, Johnny Bench spoke recently about Pete Rose, who last week was reinstated from baseball and soon could be posthumously elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown.

Bench talked to Dan Patrick on Wednesday’s show episode and explained why Rob Manfred might have decided. He said they wanted to wait until Rose died before reinstating his name. Rose died in September of last year, leaving the league free to lift his ban without any potential repercussions.

“I think there was some concern that he wanted to get into the game of baseball as far as what has been talked about,” Bench said. “He still wanted to be a manager or something like that. I think that created some problems, whether somebody would hire at this point, or what position they would be in. I think there was still an okay, we still have to have a particular caution here, we’ve got to put up some yellow flags, and in most cases, many red flags. Johnny Bench is 77 years old and lives in Rancho Mirage, California.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

OPENS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

goaquaadventure.com

@centralparkfremont Fremont

Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani might not be dealt to a California team but the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants might be in the running during free agency (photo from yahoo.com sports)

MLB The Show podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen, the Los Angeles Angels two way player Shohei Ohtani according to Angels owner Arturo Moreno will not be traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers before this month’s trade deadline. The Angels do not want to deal Ohtani to a California team.

#2 Ohtani could wind up as a rental in Baltimore. The Orioles are second in the AL East and could either get Ohtani as a rental or get him as a free agent. Either way an acquisition of Ohtani could spell big things for the Orioles who knocking at the East’s door.

#3 Stephen, the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants are strong candidates in the Ohtani free agency sweepstakes but the Padres have a pretty big payroll with Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr, and Juan Soto will they add another $700 million to their payroll and the Giants may not spend that type of money for Ohtani.

#4 Former Cincinnati Reds catcher Johnny Bench made an antisemetic joke on Sunday at a Reds press conference about former Cincinnati Reds general manager Gabe Paul who Pete Rose said paid him $400 per month when someone said “that’s cheap” and Bench interjected saying “He was Jewish” later Bench asked Paul’s daughter Jennie Paul if she was offended where Jennie replied she didn’t hear what Bench said. Bench apologized to Jennie and said that his remark took away from Paul’s achievement.

#5 The San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado joined the 300 home run club in the first game of a doubleheader in Philadelphia on Saturday with the score tied 3-3 and a 2-2 count and facing the Phils pitcher Matt Strahm, Machado hit a 94 MPH fastball 425 feet into the second deck at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. The Padres didn’t win 6-4 but Machado got the milestone.

Join Stephen for the MLB podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com