ESPN Classic

ESPN Classic
Vintage NBA:
Jerry Sloan
Thu., 7 p.m. ET

ESPN Classic
SportsCentury
Ted Williams
Thu., 8 p.m. ET

Prime-time Schedule

Classic NCAA
'83 Final
N.C. State 54,
Houston 52
Thu., 9 p.m. ET
The slow-paced contest came down to one shot: A desperation jumper by Dereck Whittenburg in the last seconds that N.C. State's Lorenzo Charles picked off and dunked at the buzzer for a 54-52 upset. Houston center Akeem Olajuwon was named the tournament's outstanding player, making him the 12th member of a losing team to receive the honor in 45 years.

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Johnny Bench won the 1968 NL Rookie of the Year Award.

Bench marks
Often cited as the best catcher in baseball history, Johnny Bench was a vital cog as the Cincinnati Reds won six division titles, four pennants and two World Series in the 1970s. Although more attention was paid to his power hitting, just as significant is that he won 10 Gold Gloves in his first 10 full seasons. The righthanded-hitting slugger topped the National League in homers twice, with a career-high 45 in 1970 and 40 in 1972, winning the MVP award both years. Bench, who hit 389 home runs, will be profiled on ESPN Classic's SportsCentury series tonight at 8 and midnight ET.

Thursday - Ted Williams

Friday - Sparky Anderson

Passed balls to no-hitters
We look back at some of the most unforgettable Subway Series moments.
Fair at Fenway
Twenty-five years ago, Carlton Fisk's dramatic 12th inning homer in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series won a game for the ages.

Classic Sports Reporters
Each Monday at 7 p.m. ET, host Jeremy Schaap and a panel of sports reporters from across the country discuss the greatest athletes and sporting events of all time.
The White Shadow
ESPN Classic has brought back Coach Reeves, Salami, Coolidge and the rest of the Carver High team in The White Shadow. The program will air every weekday morning at 10 ET.
Reel Classics
ESPN Classic presents a sports movie Sunday night's at 9 ET. This week's film, "Bang the Drum Slowly," stars Robert De Niro and Michael Moriarty.
Click & Pick
Ever disagreed with one of ESPN's programming decisions? Now you can select what you want to see in ESPN Classic's Click & Pick.
Contribute to Marshall piece
We are searching for any footage, home movies, photos, audio recordings or memorabilia of the September 25, 1971 college football game between Marshall University and Xavier.

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"I don't want to embarrass any other catcher by comparing him with Johnny Bench."

-- Sparky Anderson

October 19, 1940
Tennessee's record of 17 consecutive regular-season shutouts is ended by Alabama, but the Vols still register their 26th consecutive regular season win, 27-12, in Birmingham.

October 19, 1985
No. 1 Iowa defeats No. 2 Michigan, 12-10, in Iowa City when Rob Houghtlin kicks his fourth field goal, a 29-yarder in the rain, on the game's last play.

Johnny Bench

SportsCentury profile of Johnny Bench
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Real: 56.6 | ISDN | T1