Bill Plummer, Big Red Machine backup catcher, dies at 76
Bill Plummer, who served primarily as Johnny Bench's backup catcher during the Cincinnati Reds' Big Red Machine era, died at age 76, his family confirmed Tuesday.
Plummer was in Major League Baseball for 53 years as a player and coach. Nicknamed "Plum," he appeared in 324 games for the Reds between 1970 and 1977.
Plummer caught more than 800 innings for the Reds' teams that won back-to-back World Series championships in 1975 and 1976.
On June 8, 1974, Plummer homered twice against Philadelphia Phillies ace Steve Carlton, a National Baseball Hall of Famer. In parts of 10 MLB seasons, he hit a total of 14 homers.
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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bill Plummer, Big Red Machine backup catcher, dies at 76
