First catcher to ever win a ROY award

[Ohiogal]

Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds 1968

[rurallib]

1. Any idea how long had that award been given before Bench won it?

I am thinking many of those awards were post-WWII, so not having a catcher win one until 1968 wouldn't be all that strange. Also if I recall, many catchers don't move directly into full time starting jobs right away.

Just thinking of some of the catchers of that era who may have been passed over for a ROY -
Earl Battey, Johnny Roseboro, Randy Hundley, Ellston Howard - just a few from my old memory.

[Ohiogal]

2. According to the MLB website

The award was started in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA. They selected a winner every year from 1940 through 1946. The award became national in 1947; Jackie Robinson, the Brooklyn Dodgers' first baseman, won the first award.

From 1947-48, it was given to the Majors' best overall rookie, but has been given to one player per league since 1949.

Bench was a mere 20 years old when he won the award.

[rurallib]

3. Thanks - that is interesting

Bench was one incredible player.

[Ohiogal]

4. Yes, he was!

[rurallib]

5. That whole group was something else

with the likes of Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Griffey and Foster in the outfield. Man they were loaded. Bench was the key to the team.

[Ohiogal]

6. Absolutely. The Big Red Machine.

Another thing about Johnny Bench was that I remember the announcers liked to call him “The Swinger from Binger”. since he hailed from the small town of Binger, Oklahoma.

I’m trying to recall who was on the pitching staff ....

[rurallib]

7. Sparky yanked the starters pretty quick

I vaguely remember they had a pretty decent stopper, but can't remember his name.

[Ohiogal]

8. They used to call Sparky

“Dr. Hook”