Johnny Bench Cincinnati Reds game used bat is a Hillerich & Bradsby model R161 labeled from the 1967-69 period, early in the career of the man widely considered to be the greatest catcher of all time. Ash bat has a small handle crack and shows great use including ball marks, stitch impressions, a small chip to the barrel, and pine tar on the handle. Bench's number 5 is written on the knob in black marker while the model number is stamped. After appearing in just 26 games in '67, Bench showed flashes of what was to come in his first full season, appearing in 154 games with 15 homers and 82 RBI to earn Rookie of the Year honors. He proceeded to win two National League MVP honors and was the anchor of the Big Red Machine dynasty of the '70s, earning 10 Gold Glove awards. Comes with PSA/DNA LOA grading this magnificent memento a near-perfect GU 9.5, with the only thing preventing this from being a perfect 10 being the handle crack. Exceptional Hall of Fame piece from a legend of the game.