Baseball fans know Johnny Bench and Doug Flynn as icons of the game: members of the legendary Cincinnati Reds “Big Red Machine” who dominated Major League Baseball in the 1970s. But their legacy extends far beyond the ballpark. In April’s episode of the Hope For The Warriors podcast, Johnny and Doug reflected on their storied careers, the impact of their military connections, and their dedication to supporting veterans and military families.
Johnny and Doug were part of a baseball dynasty, but the bonds they formed transcended championships. Bench recalled the elation of the 1975 World Series victory, describing the pride he felt seeing the joy on the faces of not just players, but coaches, trainers, and fans who had supported the Reds through tough years. “You can be an MVP and Rookie of the Year, but there’s nothing like walking into the clubhouse as a world champion,” Bench said. “We had lost in 1970 and 1972, but we finally brought it home. Seeing that joy everybody’s face, it was amazing to me.”
Flynn, who grew up just 80 miles from Cincinnati, shared his awe at joining his childhood idols. “After not getting drafted, being in that locker room and hearing the greatest catcher of all time say winning the World Series was the most special night because it involved so many people, I’ll never forget that,” Flynn reminisced. “Johnny and I have been friends ever since.”
Their bond continued long after their playing days,
built on more than just shared victories. Johnny and Doug have devoted decades to charitable causes, especially in support of military service members. As the hosts of HOPE’s annual Celebrity Invitational golf event at River Landing in Wallace, NC, they’ve witnessed the resilience of military families. “The work being done is incredible, from therapy and retraining to addressing PTSD and emotional trauma,” Johnny says.
Doug, a driving force behind these efforts, humbly credits Hope For The Warriors for their efficiency. “Over 90 cents of every dollar goes back to veterans and their families,” Doug emphasized. “Johnny and I have supported this cause for over 20 years because we see the difference it makes.”
The partnership between Hope For The Warriors and Bench and Flynn has thrived, raising significant funds through events like the Mets and Reds Fantasy Camps. “At every Reds Fantasy Camp, we bring in a warrior,” Doug said. “It’s powerful seeing them relax, bond, and share their stories.”
Johnny recalled a touching moment during a celebrity golf tournament. When a woman’s phone rang, revealing a call from her son in Afghanistan, he took the phone and shared a few heartfelt words. “It was just a moment,” Johnny recounted. “But it meant so much.”
Speaking of phone calls, both Johnny and Doug have several HOPE veterans in their contacts for “buddy checks.” Their commitment to HOPE goes far beyond showing up for events, they want to do everything they can to help every veteran possible. “I think that’s very important also for the military folks too, is when you got guys that are struggling, they need to have somebody that’s going be there to listen to them,” Doug says. “How cool is that? If you’re sitting there and you’re a military person, you’ve been over serving and the greatest catcher in the game calls you up and says, how you doing? Yeah. I mean, that, that gives me chills.”
Reflecting on their lifelong friendship and mission
to help veterans, Johnny and Doug’s passion was clear. “It’s about listening and being there,” Doug said. “Sometimes, just knowing someone cares can make all the difference.” At the end of the episode, they encouraged listeners to get involved. “You might not know where to start,” Doug said. “But Johnny and I have an answer. Support Hope For The Warriors. Every contribution changes lives.”
You can listen to this latest episode of the Hope For The Warriors podcast herelatest episode of the Hope For The Warriors podcast here. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode so more people can join us in honoring those who serve.
