Homage To Johnny Bench

Homage to Johnny Bench

The greatest catcher ever was
With one hand  'hind his back
Was Johnny Bench. Yep, that's the buzz. 
And never did he slack. 

He broke ole Yogi's home run hits. 
"The Little Colonel"'s claim:
Three hundred eighty-nine and gets
The Baseball Hall of Fame. 

His Cincinnati Reds they won
Four pennants in the League
And twice the Series! OK.'s son
Had baseball under siege   

He had big hands and he could hold
In one hand seven balls
But more than this, he speaks, I'm told
At charities and malls;

Awards for college athletes;
He writes and sings on pitch. 
While teamwork makes a job complete,
A dream made Johnny Bench. 

©deborah burch
3.24.2013

Copyright © | Year Posted 2013



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Date: 1/16/2017 7:28:00 AM
Hi Deborah, your love of baseball comes through so clearly. Thanks for the tribute to Johnny Bench whom I understand so much better. You captured his spirit so well, Best, Kathy
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Date: 1/16/2017 7:27:00 AM
Hi Deborah, your love of baseball comes through so clearly. Thanks for the tribute to Johnny Bench whom I understand so much better. You captured his spirit so well, Best, Kathy
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Date: 4/7/2013 5:35:00 PM
It's always a treat when poetry brings someone to life in a touching way. This transcends baseball which is truly the sign that you wrote a homer.
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Date: 4/2/2013 10:19:00 AM
Nice one Deborah. I grew up in Dayton, OH and listened to the Big Red Machine on a transistor radio under my pillow every night. I loved Johnny Bench and the other Reds. I got his autograph - and Pete Rose's and others - a few times while going to Red's games - but, always lost them. It was the excitement of getting them that was the fun - not in keeping them. I loved your homage - a neat twist on the theme of the contest. Very creative. Joe
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Date: 3/29/2013 5:10:00 PM
I've heard his name but really don't know much about him. Thanks for the enlightenment. I really like yours. Congrats!
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Date: 3/29/2013 2:03:00 PM
Cap'n Deb big congrats on your win, have a Happy Peaceful Easter...David
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Date: 3/29/2013 9:12:00 AM
So, Dianne, I see you are a Big Red Machine fan...Maybe the best team ever to take the field...with Johnny, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Ken Griffey, George Foster and others...I believe they were also called 'The Great Eight?'...So glad to see you are a sports fan like me...Great tibute! - Trent
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Ryerson Avatar
Tim Ryerson
Date: 3/29/2013 9:13:00 AM
And congratulations too!
Date: 3/28/2013 10:20:00 PM
Deborah, this is nice... goodnight...Linda
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Date: 3/28/2013 3:51:00 AM
Congratulations on your win Debs love xx
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Date: 3/27/2013 5:34:00 PM
Congrats Deborah...great way to go.....Donna
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Date: 3/27/2013 5:10:00 PM
Oh this should have come in much higher. Very worthy poem and a great change from our benches. Congratulations. Love, Joyce
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Date: 3/27/2013 1:29:00 PM
A beautiful expression of respect for the best ever Deborah - I grew up playing the demanding position of 'Catcher' - it taught me so much about pain, endurance, and leadership, and Johnny remains the epitome of these lesson's rewards - he won a couple of MVP's too! - 'OK.'s son' is perfect - Pete Rose should be in the Hall Of Fame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! J.A.B. %
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Date: 3/27/2013 4:39:00 AM
Well done for the contest Deborah, good luck ! - oxox // Anne-Lise :)
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Date: 3/26/2013 8:56:00 AM
nicely done i enjoyed reading this. it brings back memories haha
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Date: 3/25/2013 7:23:00 AM
I remember watching Johnny with my boys. If this is for the Bench contest..its VERY clever. BG
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Date: 3/25/2013 2:46:00 AM
Cap'n Deb now I like this a lot even though I have no idea who he is and if this is for the bench contest then it is such an original take on the theme it should be a winner...David
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Date: 3/24/2013 9:45:00 PM
You are such a great Poet. I love this poem.
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