A good question. Without much research, I'm going to call it a push between Josh Gibson and Johnny Bench.
Before it's done, I think Joe Mauer has a chance to put himself up there with the all-time great. Arguably he's the best pure athlete to ever play the position.
In the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 6, with the Sox leading by one run with two outs, Kevin Mitchell on third and Mookie Wilson at bat, reliever Bob Stanley threw a pitch that Gedman failed to handle. It was scored as a wild pitch, but many considered it a Gedman passed ball. Mitchell came in to score, tying the game. Then, Wilson hit a ball that went through first baseman Bill Buckner's legs to win the game for the Mets. The Sox went on to lose the deciding game, and the series.
<< <i>The hell with you guys.........we all know its Biff Pocoroba >>
His best season was in 1977 when he achieved career-highs with 123 games, a batting average of .290, 8 home runs, 24 doubles, and 44 runs batted in. In 1978, he made the National League All-Star team, finishing the season with a .242 batting average, 6 home runs, and 34 RBI in 92 games.
Morris "Moe" Berg (March 2, 1902 – May 29, 1972) was an American Major League Baseball catcher who also served briefly as a spy for the United States during WWII. His is said to be the only baseball card on display at the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency.
I would choose Bench just ahead of Berra. He would have easily hit over 500 home runs if he played any other position (Except Pitcher). I think his only real peer offensively is Piazza, but Bench was FAR SUPERIOR defensively. He was a combination of Pudge and Piazza. He won 10 Gold Gloves 2nd only to Pudge (12). Now I know that is not fair since Campy and Berra were not eligible, but from what I read he was better than them defensively.
It could be argued that Yogi could have won more than three MVP's and may have hit 500 home runs too, but again Bench was better defensively. I can't comment on Josh Gibson because like many Negro League players I can't differ between the man and the myth.
So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
With more than 100 games caught in 11 consecutive seasons, he ranks 3rd among active catchers in games played. He is 6th all-time of all Jewish major leaguers in hits, and 8th in home runs and RBIs, trailing only Hank Greenberg and Shawn Green in all three categories.
With more than 100 games caught in 11 consecutive seasons, he ranks 3rd among active catchers in games played. He is 6th all-time of all Jewish major leaguers in hits, and 8th in home runs and RBIs, trailing only Hank Greenberg and Shawn Green in all three categories. >>
He also went to Dartmouth
So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
With more than 100 games caught in 11 consecutive seasons, he ranks 3rd among active catchers in games played. He is 6th all-time of all Jewish major leaguers in hits, and 8th in home runs and RBIs, trailing only Hank Greenberg and Shawn Green in all three categories. >>
<< <i>Off the top of my head I'd have to go with Bench, Berra & Campy in that order.
But, as far as my favorite....I'd have to go with Mike Scioscia! He was a master at blocking the plate! Go Dodgers! >>
Exclusively a catcher, the 6-foot, 2-inch, 230 pound Scioscia was primarily known for his defense. Former Dodgers vice president Al Campanis once called Mike Scioscia the best plate-blocking catcher he had seen in his 46-year baseball career. In one collision with St. Louis Cardinals' slugger Jack Clark in July, 1985, Scioscia was knocked unconscious but still held onto the ball. Scioscia, however, has claimed he had an even harder plate collision the following season.
The one collision that absolutely I got hit harder than anybody else was Chili Davis in 1986 when he was with the Giants. Chili plays hard; he's 6' 3", looks like Apollo Creed, got a nice lean. I saw stars. That was the hardest I've been hit, including my years of playing football. It was a heck of a collision . . . He was out that time. We were both out.
Birth date: November 19, 1921 Birth place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Death date: June 26, 1993 Death place: Woodland Hills, California
Height: 5' 9" Weight: 190 lbs. Parents: John and Ida Campanella Marriage: Ruthe, Roxie Doles, 1963-1993 (his death) Children: Five children with his first wife, Ruthe
Athletic position: Catcher Athletic teams: Brooklyn Dodgers (1949 -1957), Baltimore Elite Giants [Negro National League] (1937- 1942) Threw: Right Batted: Right
Hall of Fame: Elected in 1969
In 1991, Roy and Roxie founded the "The Roy and Roxie Campanella Physical Therapy Scholarship Foundation." Equipment, education, information, and support for those living with paraplegia was provided by the foundation. It also awarded scholarships to students pursuing a degree in the field of physical therapy.
Was a star for nine seasons in the Mexican and Negro Leagues.
He played in five World Series.
Led National League catchers in putout six times.
Hit 242 home runs as a catcher.
Was selected the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1951, 1953, and 1955.
Folks Who Bite Get Bitten. Folks Who Don't Bite Get Eaten.
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
good thread. the catcher is arguably the most important position on the field- calls pitches, positions infielders/outfielders, involved in every single play of the game. catchers have to be unbelievably sharp......all this while spending half the game squatting. i think catchers are the real leaders of the ballclub, not unlike quarterbacks.
guess i'll give my top 10, for what it's worth.....
1- ivan rodriguez (most complete player) 2- johnny bench 3- Yogi Berra (average catcher, points for offense and leading the Yanks to 10 WS wins) 4- Gary Carter 5- Bob Boone (not the best hitter, but cut down nearly everyone and 7 GG's!) 6- Roy Campanella 7- Bill Freehan 8- Jim Sundberg (lousy hitter, but amazing catcher) 9- Tony Pena 10- Mike Piazza (average catcher, gets points for offense)
EDITED TO ADD- Honorable Mention: Carlton Fisk. Belongs on the list, but somehow i think the others were slightly better in some way. But Fisk is still in the Hall, so he gets the last laugh. Maybe if he had just retired 3-4 seasons earlier, or gotten 1-2 more GGs, he'd be on my list.
<< In the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 6, with the Sox leading by one run with two outs, Kevin Mitchell on third and Mookie Wilson at bat, reliever Bob Stanley threw a pitch that Gedman failed to handle. It was scored as a wild pitch, but many considered it a Gedman passed ball. Mitchell came in to score, tying the game. Then, Wilson hit a ball that went through first baseman Bill Buckner's legs to win the game for the Mets. The Sox went on to lose the deciding game, and the series. >>
Comments
<eyeroll>
Steve
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
<< <i>Choo Choo Coleman
Steve >>
ouch.
<< <i>I think it depends on which Al you are referring to. There have been many guys named Al.
>>
Ah, but they weren't all great catchers.
<< <i>
<< <i>I think it depends on which Al you are referring to. There have been many guys named Al.
>>
Ah, but they weren't all great catchers. >>
Everyone named Al or all the other guys?
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
Before it's done, I think Joe Mauer has a chance to put himself up there with the all-time great. Arguably he's the best pure athlete to ever play the position.
Erik
<< <i>Bo Diaz >>
Interesting choice, why did you pick him?
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Working on '78 Autographed set now 99.9% complete -
Working on '89 Topps autoed set now complete
R.i.p.
<< <i>Richard Gedman...just because >>
In the bottom of the tenth inning of Game 6, with the Sox leading by one run with two outs, Kevin Mitchell on third and Mookie Wilson at bat, reliever Bob Stanley threw a pitch that Gedman failed to handle. It was scored as a wild pitch, but many considered it a Gedman passed ball. Mitchell came in to score, tying the game. Then, Wilson hit a ball that went through first baseman Bill Buckner's legs to win the game for the Mets. The Sox went on to lose the deciding game, and the series.
But of course there is always Charles's Johnson
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
<< <i>The hell with you guys.........we all know its Biff Pocoroba >>
His best season was in 1977 when he achieved career-highs with 123 games, a batting average of .290, 8 home runs, 24 doubles, and 44 runs batted in. In 1978, he made the National League All-Star team, finishing the season with a .242 batting average, 6 home runs, and 34 RBI in 92 games.
<< <i>I would really say Bench.
But of course there is always Charles's Johnson >>
In a 12-season career, Johnson is a .245 hitter with 167 home runs and 570 RBI in 1188 games.
<< <i>Morris "Moe" Berg >>
Excellent choice! I've always liked his story.
Morris "Moe" Berg (March 2, 1902 – May 29, 1972) was an American Major League Baseball catcher who also served briefly as a spy for the United States during WWII. His is said to be the only baseball card on display at the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency.
It could be argued that Yogi could have won more than three MVP's and may have hit 500 home runs too, but again Bench was better defensively. I can't comment on Josh Gibson because like many Negro League players I can't differ between the man and the myth.
Edited: Cause I say so
<< <i>Brad Ausmus
Edited: Cause I say so >>
With more than 100 games caught in 11 consecutive seasons, he ranks 3rd among active catchers in games played. He is 6th all-time of all Jewish major leaguers in hits, and 8th in home runs and RBIs, trailing only Hank Greenberg and Shawn Green in all three categories.
<< <i>
<< <i>Brad Ausmus
Edited: Cause I say so >>
With more than 100 games caught in 11 consecutive seasons, he ranks 3rd among active catchers in games played. He is 6th all-time of all Jewish major leaguers in hits, and 8th in home runs and RBIs, trailing only Hank Greenberg and Shawn Green in all three categories. >>
He also went to Dartmouth
<< <i>
<< <i>
<< <i>Brad Ausmus
Edited: Cause I say so >>
With more than 100 games caught in 11 consecutive seasons, he ranks 3rd among active catchers in games played. He is 6th all-time of all Jewish major leaguers in hits, and 8th in home runs and RBIs, trailing only Hank Greenberg and Shawn Green in all three categories. >>
He also went to Dartmouth >>
Jewish sports hall of fame 2004 also.
Where's Lee? He must be out drinking. I'm amazed he didn't beat me to this.
Ty Cobb who has a reputation as a racist and who didn't see the modern catchers said it was CAMPY
My Sports Cards/Magazines
Cards/Mags
end of conversation.
wpkoughan@yahoo.com
Collecting 1970-1979 PSA 9 & 10 Baseball Cards
But, as far as my favorite....I'd have to go with Mike Scioscia! He was a master at blocking the plate! Go Dodgers!
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Go Phillies
<< <i>Off the top of my head I'd have to go with Bench, Berra & Campy in that order.
But, as far as my favorite....I'd have to go with Mike Scioscia! He was a master at blocking the plate! Go Dodgers! >>
Exclusively a catcher, the 6-foot, 2-inch, 230 pound Scioscia was primarily known for his defense. Former Dodgers vice president Al Campanis once called Mike Scioscia the best plate-blocking catcher he had seen in his 46-year baseball career. In one collision with St. Louis Cardinals' slugger Jack Clark in July, 1985, Scioscia was knocked unconscious but still held onto the ball. Scioscia, however, has claimed he had an even harder plate collision the following season.
The one collision that absolutely I got hit harder than anybody else was Chili Davis in 1986 when he was with the Giants. Chili plays hard; he's 6' 3", looks like Apollo Creed, got a nice lean. I saw stars. That was the hardest I've been hit, including my years of playing football. It was a heck of a collision . . . He was out that time. We were both out.
— Mike Scioscia
Nickname: Campy
Birth date: November 19, 1921
Birth place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Death date: June 26, 1993
Death place: Woodland Hills, California
Height: 5' 9"
Weight: 190 lbs.
Parents: John and Ida Campanella
Marriage: Ruthe, Roxie Doles, 1963-1993 (his death)
Children: Five children with his first wife, Ruthe
Athletic position: Catcher
Athletic teams: Brooklyn Dodgers (1949 -1957), Baltimore Elite Giants [Negro National League] (1937- 1942)
Threw: Right
Batted: Right
Hall of Fame: Elected in 1969
In 1991, Roy and Roxie founded the "The Roy and Roxie Campanella Physical Therapy Scholarship Foundation." Equipment, education, information, and support for those living with paraplegia was provided by the foundation. It also awarded scholarships to students pursuing a degree in the field of physical therapy.
Was a star for nine seasons in the Mexican and Negro Leagues.
He played in five World Series.
Led National League catchers in putout six times.
Hit 242 home runs as a catcher.
Was selected the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1951, 1953, and 1955.
My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)
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Pete Rose PSA Basic Set
Johnny Bench PSA Basic Set
guess i'll give my top 10, for what it's worth.....
1- ivan rodriguez (most complete player)
2- johnny bench
3- Yogi Berra (average catcher, points for offense and leading the Yanks to 10 WS wins)
4- Gary Carter
5- Bob Boone (not the best hitter, but cut down nearly everyone and 7 GG's!)
6- Roy Campanella
7- Bill Freehan
8- Jim Sundberg (lousy hitter, but amazing catcher)
9- Tony Pena
10- Mike Piazza (average catcher, gets points for offense)
EDITED TO ADD- Honorable Mention: Carlton Fisk. Belongs on the list, but somehow i think the others were slightly better in some way. But Fisk is still in the Hall, so he gets the last laugh. Maybe if he had just retired 3-4 seasons earlier, or gotten 1-2 more GGs, he'd be on my list.
Berra
Campanella
Cochrane
Dickey
Rodriguez
Fisk
Munson
Carter
Piazza
That's 10 great ones. I'm sure there's a few others who could be added to the list.
-----------------
edit-sorry boots i posted it and went to page two and saw you beat me to it. i am glad someone is as twisted as i am.
<< <i>
<< <i>I would really say Bench.
But of course there is always Charles's Johnson >>
In a 12-season career, Johnson is a .245 hitter with 167 home runs and 570 RBI in 1188 games. >>
/ joke
1994 Pro Line Live
TheDallasCowboyBackfieldProject
<< Liberace >>
1.) CARLTON FISK
2.) JASON VARITEK (2007 WS MVP)
Bob C.
61 Topps (100%) 7.96
62 Parkhurst (100%) 8.70
63 Topps (100%) 7.96
63 York WB's (50%) 8.52
68 Topps (39%) 8.54
69 Topps (3%) 9.00
69 OPC (83%) 8.21
71 Topps (100%) 9.21 #1 A.T.F.
72 Topps (100%) 9.39
73 Topps (13%) 9.35
74 OPC WHA (95%) 8.57
75 Topps (50%) 9.23
77 OPC WHA (86%) 8.62 #1 A.T.F.
88 Topps (5%) 10.00
Ivan Rodriguez is second in my book.
Nick
Reap the whirlwind.
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But, Piazza may go down was the best hitting catcher of all time.
mike
All Around -- Pudge BY FAR