Winning bidder on over $1million of Johnny Bench memorabilia gives the collectibles BACK to the Hall of Fame catcher, who put them up for auction to help pay for his sons' college tuition
The winning bidder on over $1 million worth of memorabilia from a recent auction of Johnny Bench's personal collection is returning the items to the Hall of Fame catcher, with whom he's been friends since 1967.
Businessman Alan Horwitz, a front-row regular at Philadelphia 76ers games, successfully bid for Bench's 1975 and '76 World Series rings last month. He also bought the catcher's 1970 and '72 NL MVP awards, 1968 NL rookie of the year award, 1969 All-Star Game bat and several of Bench's 10 Gold Glove awards.
The 73-year-old Cincinnati Reds legend told The Associated Press in October that he planned to use the auction proceeds to fund his youngest sons' college educations, which is now possible, due to Horowitz's generosity.
The winning bidder on over $1 million worth of memorabilia from a recent auction of Johnny Bench's personal collection is returning the items to the Hall of Fame catcher, with whom he's been friends since 1967
Horwitz said he and Bench first met during Christmas vacation before Bench took over catching duties for the Reds beginning with the 1967 season.
'After that, for the next 16 seasons, I met Johnny at every spring training in Tampa, and along with his fans, watched him play at All-Star Games, World Series games, and of course witnessed his Hall of Fame Induction,' Horwitz said in a statement.
'When I learned of the auction of Johnny's memorabilia I felt compelled to participate, with the goal to return some of the items to the Bench family and Johnny's fans.'
Bench and his family have offered the items Horwitz bought for display to several locations, including the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, the Reds Hall of Fame, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Bench's museum in his hometown of Binger, Oklahoma.
'I am truly stunned by Alan's generous gesture and am grateful and proud that these trophies and memorabilia pieces will be on display for millions of fans to experience,' Bench said. 'Alan's only request was to meet my boys, which will happen as soon as we can resume safe travel.'
The auction was held in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 14. Sales totaled just under $2 million, according to Hunt Auctions, which ran the sale.