With the recent conclusion of the 2011 major league baseball season once again the famed Louisville Slugger baseball bat came to national as well as international attention.
With the legacy created by the bat it comes as no surprise that the award given annually by the organization is looked at with such prestige. And, this year’s Slugger Living Legend award has been given to a man that needs no introduction, legendary Red and quite possibly the greatest catcher in the history of major league baseball, Johnny Bench.
An integral part of the 70’s-80’s Big Red Machine, the museum has explained that Bench’s extraordinary play was really only half of the selection decision, the other half going to the athlete’s exceptional humanitarian and charitable work through the years in the area.
An Oklahoma City native, Bench’s on field credentials include two world series, ten golden gloves, fourteen all star games, and that’s just scratching the surface.
Slugger has commemorated Bench’s bat as well which was model B278 throughout his entire major league career.
Of the award and the company Bench commented, “Throughout my entire baseball career, I was a very proud member of the Louisville Slugger family…It is a great honor to be recognized by this historic company,” according to Business First.
The award which began in 2007 has honored Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Robinson, Hank Aaron and Ernie Banks.
Slugger’s annual favorite On Deck: Merry Christmas Charlie Brown has also been opened to the public to get everybody in the Holiday spirit.
As usual the holiday season continues to be an annually busy time of year for the museum.
Outside Sources
Images courtesy of Louisville Slugger Museum
