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LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Personal memorabilia from the career of Hall of Fame catcher Johnny Bench was auctioned for just under $2 million. The sale that involved live and online bidding ended Saturday at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory in Kentucky, not far from where Bench was a 14-time All-Star for the Cincinnati Reds during his 17-year major league career. David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, said bidding easily exceeded presale estimates. Bench's 1976 World Series ring and trophy sold for $146,875 each. His 1975 World Series ring went for $135,125. The trophy from the Big Red Machine's title that year sold for $88,125. Bench's plaque for being the 1970 National League MVP was bought for $135,125. His Reds home jersey from 1983 sold for $105,750. Bench, who will turn 73 in December, told The Associated Press last month he planned to use the auction proceeds to fund his youngest children's college educations. He lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with 30-year-old son Bobby and sons Justin, 14, and Josh, 11, from Bench's fourth marriage. "The memories are still there. I still am the MVP,'' Bench told the AP. "I'm blessed with what I've got, and I'm enjoying my life.'' The auction was handled by the same Pennsylvania company that recently sold Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully's memorabilia, which earned over $2 million.
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