Description: 1980 Johnny Bench Game Worn & Signed Cincinnati Reds Chest Protector & Shin Guards Photo Matched to 10/3/80 vs. the Braves--Last Game as a Full-Time Catcher! Johnny Bench is still the gold standard for baseball catchers of any era. At nineteen, he was repositioning veteran infielders and advising star pitchers. By the time he was twenty, he had redefined how to play the position. Even now, long after his playing days have past and his ten Gold Gloves, two MVP's, and two World Series championships have been committed to memory, Bench still matters.Widely considered the greatest catcher in the history of Major League Baseball, this fourteen-time All-Star was masterful both behind the plate and beside it, out-shinning all his contemporaries in the sport's most challenging defensive position while posting 389 career home runs and 1,376 runs batted in.The offered catcher's chest protector and shin guards dates from the 1980 season, his last as Cincy's full-time catcher and last in which he caught over 100 games. Blood red, ribbed nylon chest protector displays faded "Rawlings" logo; stretchy red neck strap with functional latch, neck pad and athletic tape reinforcement; read leather throat pad; and and two/color stretchy red back strap with leather reinforcements, functional metal clasps and "Bench" in faded vintage black laundry marker. Furthermore, the front is signed by Bench in 9/10 black sharpie.Matching pair of red hard plastic and leather shin guards display "Rawlings" logo and "0MW-S" in white on the front, and all the original components are present and functional. Also, each shin guard reveals Johnny's identifying number "5" on the interior in faded vintage black marker. This entire ensemble exhibits solid evidence of the right type of wear in all the right places, including discoloration, scuffs, rubbing and dirt stains.The chest protector is photo matched to at least two points from a 10/3/80 image versus the Braves (Bench's last game as a full-time catcher), including the athletic tape on the neck strap and a loose thread to the right of the Rawlings logo. LOA from Heritage Auctions. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from Beckett Authentication Services.
Price: 21370 USD
Location: Hoffman Estates, Illinois
End Time: 2025-02-02T19:15:15.000Z
Shipping Cost: 95 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: 10%
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Player: Johnny Bench
Officially Licensed: Yes
Sport: Baseball
Team: Cincinnati Reds
Features: Used in Game
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
