Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench lifts spirits at local Palm Springs hospital

The catcher's position in baseball takes a tremendous toll on the body. Squatting for long periods at a time, maneuvering in difficult ways to block an errant pitch and the rigors of a 162-game schedule are all major factors in a catcher's body eventually breaking down. No one knows these facts more than Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench.

Twenty years after Bench retired from Major League Baseball, he underwent right hip replacement surgery. During his stellar 17-year career in baseball, Bench's knees and hips were so damaged that he only caught 13 games during the last three seasons of his career, playing either first or third base during that time.

On Tuesday, Bench was in Palm Springs at the JFK Memorial Hospital to help encourage and lift the spirits for patients who recently underwent hip or knee replacement surgery, and helped to motivate them with the story of his own revolutionary surgery in February of this year.

Bench realized he needed the surgery for his left hip when he was playing with his young son one day.

“I got to the point last October where I would carry the baby around and I was afraid I might collapse,” Bench said.

In February, Bench became the first person to receive the new mobile-bearing hip replacement made by Stryker, a medical technology company.

Bench, who also broke 17 bones during his career, is a spokesperson for Stryker, and arrived in the Palm Springs area to promote the virtues of the revolutionary product, which allows greater freedom of movement and drastically decreases normal wear and tear.

Sue Tubman, a retired LPGA golfer, was at the hospital when Bench arrived. She had recently undergone replacement surgery, and had the opportunity to speak to Bench about his experiences and recovery process. She received an autographed baseball as well.

Phyllis Manno was another patient who had the pleasure of visiting with Bench. Phyllis, 73, recalled seeing Bench play once at Dodger Stadium, and joked with him about his current appearance.

“You have not changed a bit. Maybe your hair,” joked Manno about the now follically challenged Hall of Famer Bench.

Bench, considered one of the greatest players in MLB history, won 2 MVP's and helped lead the Cincinnati Reds to two World Championships during his career.

When asked about the current Reds team and their success, Bench was giddy in his assessment. He believes that the Reds have the best chance of knocking off the NL defending champion Philadelphia Phillies, based on this year's success of the Reds' offense against Phillies pitching.

He doesn't discount the pitching exploits and talent of other teams in the playoff mix either. “It's no picnic either,” Bench said. “You go to San Francisco and you've got (Tim) Lincecum and (Matt) Cain.”

Bench was to attend a joint replacement seminar in La Quinta after visiting with patients at JFK.

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