 An associate of general manager Bob Howsam, Bender was Cincinnati's farm system director of the "Big Red Machine" era and served in that post for 22 years, 1967–88.His system produced such players as Baseball Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, Ken Griffey, Sr., Dave Concepción, Don Gullett, Eric Davis and Paul O'Neill.The Reds' minor league player of the year award is named after him.