By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Barry Larkin photo gallery

As much as some fans might think the Reds mishandled the Barry Larkin situation, the Cincinnati franchise has a long history of bungled sendoffs.

And that doesn't even include the trades, such as Frank Robinson in 1965.

But then there was the grand Johnny Bench Night, Sept. 17, 1983: Befitting his stature as the greatest catcher ever to play the game, and having done it all with one team, Johnny Bench received the sendoff to end all sendoffs.

It was complete with Johnny's father, Ted, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, and "J.B" receiving such on-the-money gifts as a Ford Bronco, a bass boat "and the best thing of all," Bench recalled Tuesday night, "$25,000 for my scholarship fund, which has now grown to about $2 million."

The fans did their part, turning out 53,290 strong.

Bench did his part, too, hitting home run No. 389, the final one of his career. It was a two-run shot in the third inning.

Not as well-remembered - but almost as impressive - is that in Bench's final at-bat at Riverfront Stadium, Sept. 29, 1983, he drove in two runs with a single.

"I knew it was to time to retire," Bench said of his farewell night. "With my back and elbow, I figured I was going to have to have surgery. The future of the ballclub wasn't going anywhere at that point. You knew it had to end sometime."

But Reds departure debacles are far more frequent.

Tops on that list is Tony Perez's "retirement." This remains the classic case of how not to do it, although the Larkin case might wind up superceding it in Reds lore.

Perez was so popular with Reds fans that he was never booed in Riverfront Stadium, according to former pitcher and radio analyst, Joe Nuxhall.

While still a Reds player in 1986 and not having fully decided it would be his final season, Perez learned of his "retirement" from the media - and of a day being planned in his honor from the scoreboard at Riverfront Stadium.

He did get a day (Sept. 21, 1986), and it is remembered as one of great affection.

"That's Tony," Reds broadcaster Marty Brennaman said. "He wouldn't have done it any other way."

As for Davey Concepcion's exit, Reds officials weren't certain Tuesday night whether Concepcion, the shortstop before Larkin, ever got a day at Riverfront Stadium. Brennaman, who always emcees these events, has no clear recollection of it. But everybody recalls the parting as less than amicable. Concepcion wanted to play one more season - a 20th - as a Red, but the front office didn't want him back. He's on good terms with the Reds now.