Two-time World Series champion Bill Plummer, who won is championships as a backup catcher to Johnny Bench, has reportedly passed away at the age of 76. Plummer reportedly suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Redding, California.
Plummer was part of the “Big Red Machine,” years of the Cincinnati Reds. After winning back-to-back championships with the team in 1975 and 1976, Plummer grew frustrated with his role as a backup to Johnny Bench.
Legacy.com reports,
Plummer briefly played for the Chicago Cubs before debuting with the Reds in 1970. In seven seasons with the Reds during their “Big Red Machine” years of the 1970s, Plummer was never a starting pitcher, but he was respected as a utility player who backed up the legendary Bench.
Plummer was with the Reds as they won back-to-back World Series in 1975 and 1976. Yet despite his team’s glory, Plummer grew frustrated in the shadow of an icon, playing only when Bench was out. He told Sports Illustrated in a 1977 interview, “I’m almost a player without a function.” The following year, he left the Reds, playing a single season for the Seattle Mariners before retiring from his playing career.
Transitioning to coaching, Plummer stayed with the Mariners system for several years, with both the team and their minor league affiliates. He managed the team in 1992, then moved on to the Colorado Rockies as coach. He later worked as a coach and manager with such teams as the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Jacksonville Suns. The 2021 documentary “Plum: A Baseball Life” told Plummer’s story.
Legacy
Plummer will be remembered as a legendary contributor to the game of baseball, and we pray for his family during this extremely difficult time. Rest in peace, legend, Bill Plummer.
