1967 Johnny Bench Game Used & Signed Rookie Catcher's Mitt, PSA/DNA Authentic....

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One of the most significant Bench artifacts ever to surface!

1967 Johnny Bench Game Used & Signed Rookie Catcher's Mitt, PSA/DNA Authentic. Widely considered the greatest catcher of all time, Johnny Bench earned ten Gold Gloves in the sport's toughest defensive position while leading the National League twice in home runs and three times in runs batted in and claiming two MVP Awards. Presented is one of the most significant early artifacts of that peerless career, a Rawlings HOH X catcher's mitt dating to the year of Bench's 1967 professional debut.

After getting a taste of the Bigs in the waning weeks of the 1967 season, Bench would go on to claim the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1968, and it's likely that this mitt saw action during that year as well. Bench himself attests to the historic nature of this mitt, supplying a signed testimonial reading, "This was my catcher's mitt I used when I started my career with the Cincinnati Reds."

The experts at PSA/DNA assess game use as "outstanding," noting substantial wear in the pocket, face of the web and throughout the body. "J. Bench" is written in vintage black marker on rear pinky, and number "5" on rear thumb. Interior thumb is inscribed in 7/10 black sharpie, "Catch Ya Later, Johnny Bench." An absolutely monumental artifact from the heart and soul of the Big Red Machine. LOA from PSA/DNA, Authentic. Letter of provenance from Johnny Bench (encapsulated "Authentic" by PSA/DNA). Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from Beckett Authentication Services.