163 in 26 games in his introduction to the majors, in spring training of 1968 no less an expert than Ted Williams gave the rookie a baseballsigned, "To JohnnyBench, a Hall of Famer for sure.
Johnny Lee Bench (born December 7 ... Among them: Hall of Famer Ted Williams. Williams signed a baseball for him which predicted that the young catcher would be "A Hall of Famer for sure!" ...
50% of games at C each season): Mike Piazza: 92 Rudy York: 88 Cal Raleigh: 87 JohnnyBench: 87 most HR in first 4 career seasons, catchers (min. 50% of games at C each season): Considering Bench ...