Benedict was Atlanta’s starting catcher from 1980 to 1983, and made the NL All-Star team twice, but a weak bat relegated him to backup status thereafter. In 1982 he led NL catchers in fielding percentage and hit .389 down the stretch as Atlanta won the AL West. His .242 average in 1988 was his best since 1983, when he hit a career-high .298, and in 1989 starting catcher Jody Davis‘s poor hitting gave Benedict increased playing time.