Reds Rookies (Johnny Bench/Ron Tompkins) - 1968 Topps

This is the only recognized rookie card of whom many consider to be the greatest catcher in baseball history. Captain of Cincinnati's Big Red Machine, Johnny Bench, who possessed a rocket arm and a lethal bat, offered a rare combination of stellar offense and defense from the catcher position. Behind the plate, Bench won 10 consecutive Gold Gloves from 1968-1977 and baserunners throughout MLB feared his arm. With the bat, Bench led the league in home runs twice and RBI three times, a rarity for a catcher. In fact, Bench drove in more runs than any other player during the 1970s. This 1968 Rookie of the Year was named NL MVP twice (1970 and 1972). In fact, his 1970 season is considered one of the best ever by a catcher. At the age of 22, Bench became the youngest player ever to capture the MVP, hitting .293 with 45 home runs and 148 RBI. This 14-time All- Star put an exclamation point on his career during his final home game in 1983. On Johnny Bench Night at Riverfront Stadium, Bench homered and threw out the only runner who attempted to steal in front of a sell-out crowd. Bench was ultimately inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. This key 1968 Topps card, in terms of difficulty, is much like the Ryan rookie and subject to similar condition obstacles.