Icons of Baseball Where are they now? Icons of Baseball With baseball season now in full swing some players are stamping their identities as the next icons in baseball’s long history of great players. We check in with some famous players from yesterday and today. Nolan Ryan This baseball legend is No. 1 in career strikeouts and posted a major-league-record seven no-hitters during his long career. Ryan is currently the president of his former team. Johnny Bench As a member of the Cincinnati Reds the catcher was named to the All-Star team 14 times, chosen MVP twice, led the Reds to a championship in 1976 and was named World Series MVP. Bench now makes speaking appearances and participates in charity golf tournaments and fundraising. Ken Griffey Jr. The former Seattle Mariner was one of baseball’s biggest stars in the 1990s. His flawless swing made him one of the best home run hitters.He retired in 2010 with the Seattle Mariners and is now a consultant with the c...