Johnny Bench had his big day at the plate in high school one day too late for the Cubs’ cross-checker. Photo credit Rafael Amado Deras.
By George Castle – CBM Historian on January 7, 2017
The Chicago Baseball Museum is presenting classic interviews from the archives of CBM historian George Castle’s “Diamond Gems” syndicated weekly baseball radio show, which aired from 1994 to 2010.
This edition features a 1998 interview of Hall of Famer Johnny Bench at Wrigley Field. Bench confirmed a story by longtime Cubs scout Bill Capps that the team knew all about him in high school in Binger, Okla. Capps recommended the Cubs pick Bench in the first-ever amateur draft in 1965. However, Bench had his best game when Capps’ boss decided to leave town and move on to the next prospect. The Cubs eventually passed over Bench twice in the first two rounds to pick pitcher Rick James and eventual backup catcher Ken Rudolph.
“The Diamond Gems Flashback” also features photos of the interviewees from the one-of-a-kind Leo Bauby Photo Collection, emphasizing Chicago baseball. Many photos are available to the general public directly on Ebay via seller name Soxphotos soxphotos | eBay.
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