In 1983, Benedict had a batting average well over .300 in the middle of June, to earn a place as a reserve player for the National League in the 1983 All-Star Game.[8][9] He ended the season with a career-high batting average of .298 with two home runs, 43 runs batted in and a .992 fielding percentage, second only to Gary Carter among National League catchers.[1][10]
Benedict's batting average fell to .223 with only 25 RBIs in 1984 and he was replaced by Rick Cerone in 1985, as the Braves sought more offense from the catcher's position.[1] He continued to work as a backup catcher to Ozzie Virgil from 1986 to 1988 and then to Jody Davis in 1989.[1] He retired after the 1989 season having spent his entire career with the Braves.[1]
Career statistics
In a twelve-year major league career, Benedict played in 982 games, accumulating 696 hits in 2,878 at bats for a .242 career batting average along with 18 home runs and 260 runs batted in.[1] While he was a light-hitting player, he had good defensive abilities, ending his career with a .990 fielding percentage.[1] A two-time All-Star, Benedict's value to the Braves was as a defensive catcher; his development enabled the Braves to find another position for Dale Murphy, who would have his greatest seasons as an outfielder and, subsequently, the Braves became National League contenders. He never played a position other than catcher during his entire major league career.[1] The Fulton County Stadium crowd would commonly chant "BRUUUCE" whenever Benedict came up to bat at home, perhaps giving the impression that he was being booed.[citation needed] Benedict's nickname is "Eggs", as in Eggs Benedict.
His son, Griffin, played collegiate baseball for the Georgia Southern Eagles and was drafted in 2009. He played in the minor leagues for the San Diego Padres for two seasons. He then accepted a role as the bullpen catcher for the major league team in 2011.[15]
