Monday, October 25, 1999
Bench pondering return to uniform - as manager
BY TIM SULLIVAN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ATLANTA — Johnny Bench is the catcher of the century. His goal for the next century may include managing.
“Maybe in a year or two,” the Reds Hall of Famer said Sunday. “Once the orange barrels are gone.”
With Reds manager Jack McKeon facing a finite future — either one more year, or none — potential successors are already positioning themselves for consideration. Bench, who holds the title of special assistant to General Manager Jim Bowden, has never been as receptive to a return to uniform as he is now.
“I've been thinking about that,” he said. “I certainly could do that. And the money's gotten a lot better.”
Since his retirement in 1983, Bench's attention has been divided among baseball, his various business interests and an unavailing attempt at the Senior PGA Tour. He has long lamented his inability to devote his full attention to golf and has resisted making a larger commitment to baseball. But with several major-league managers in the $1 million-per-year class, the job has grown more attractive.
His current role with the Reds is that of a roving instructor. He works with catchers throughout the system and dispenses batting advice in special cases.
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