Is Carlton Fisk the GOAT catcher for the Red Sox and White Sox?
Darin
Posts: 7,804 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was doing some research on Fisk, the first thing I couldn’t believe was as a rookie in 1972, he hit 22 HR for Boston and that broke the team record for a catcher which was previously 17. Boston had been around for decades and decades and the team record for HR by a catcher was 17 until 1972!
Another thing is I didn’t realize he played longer for the White Sox than Red Sox. I always think of him with the Red Sox probably because of the famous WS homer.
If I was a Red Sox fan I would have been pissed they let him get away. I guess the GM mailed his proposed contract a day late and missed the deadline so he became a free agent. I feel like he should have been a Red Sox lifer along with Fred Lynn.
So is Fisk the best catcher Boston and Chicago have both ever had? I know Gedman was pretty good when Fisk left Boston.
Are there any other players that could have been the best all time at their position for two different teams?
Comments
Mike Piazza might have that same distinction for the Dodgers and Mets at this point in time.
Miguel Cabrera might have it at third base for the Marlins and Tigers...but might not have enough games at 3B for Detroit.
Actually doesn't have enough for florida either lol.
Frank Robinson RF for Reds and Orioles. I think his peak for sure as an Oriole RF but still even his whole body in RF only for Orioles might be enough.
I was thinking Randy Johnson for Seattle and Arizona but Felix Hernandez played his whole career for Seattle so he might have Randy beat.
But Johnson completely dominated in Arizona so I think he’s the GOAT there.
Wouldn’t Campanella have Piazza beat as a Dodger?
I think definitely he’s the GOAT for Cincy. Ten years there with a 150 ops+ and 324 homers.
Six years as an Oriole, I’m not familiar enough with Baltimore right fielders over the years to comment on that, will have to look into it.
not sure about chicago, but Fisk would be the top catcher for Boston. at least in my opinion
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Ken Singleton 10 years with the Orioles with ops+ 135 or Frank Robinson 6 years with ops+ 169 and a triple crown. A close one for me because with Singleton you get 4 more years of very high level baseball but with Robinson you get 4 less years but absolute great baseball. I’m torn on this one. 🤔
Craig, as a Red Sox fan how do you feel about them letting Fisk get away? He’s one of my favorites because of toughness and durability. We’ve had a really good one in KC with those qualities in Salvy Perez.
Frank Robinson’s old man years after he left Baltimore from age 36-40. Ops+ 141. 😂
Amazing hitter.
Fisk was Pretty Cool when he played for the Sox...
Yeh, Singleton was the one I had in mind. I didn't look, but my recollection was he had some partial years at the end and had a decent amount of DH games. Have to check, but Singleton could get it.
My recollection was accurate in one regard that Singleton's last three years was basically strictly DH.
From 1975-1981 was Orioles primary RF(played other spots but primary RF) Singleton had 4,399 PA with a 149 OPS+. 29.3 WAR.
Robinson with O's had 3.492 PA with a 169 OPS+ and 32.4 WAR.
It is fairly close but I would give it to Robinson. Plus he has an MVP and two third place finsishes. Singleton does have a second and third place finish and he is vastly underrated for his career.
I forgot about him.
Campanella 4,816 PA, 123 OPS+, and 35.7 WAR
Piazza 3,017 PA, 160 OPS+, and 32 WAR.
Damn, Piazza's hitting numbers in his prime still pop. Unbelievable.
I would agree tho Campanella should get it.
I wouldn’t have a problem with either one being number 1.
I knew Singleton was underrated and being compared with Robinson proves just how underrated even though it was just part of Frank’s career.
I sure didn’t remember Singleton started out with the Expos.
And a Mets rookie card
Whoops I was wrong, should have said started out with the Mets.
I’ve been buying some 1971 topps cards lately and now I want to get a Singleton card probably PSA 7 or 8.
I couldn’t afford this one.
Looks like the Mets made some dumb moves back then. They could have had Amos Otis in center(another underrated player) and Singleton in right field for 12-15 years together. Along with Seaver and Nolan Ryan they had the makings of a very good team. Uh oh didn’t keep Ryan either. 😩
Unfortunately, I was too young to remember Pudge (the origional one!) playing for the Red Sox. I only remember him playing for Chi. I do vividly remember my father and grandfather speaking VERY fondly of him and wishing the Red Sox would have kept him. I think he signed a 5 year large contract with Chi. after 1980 season. that would be quite a leap of faith to sign a 33 year old catcher to a 5 year contract. I guess no one at the time could have ever imagined Fisk would be able to play the position until age 45!!
I do wish he could have spent his entire career playing for the Red Sox though.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
My favorite Red Sox catcher because i grew up with him. That was when I was a feral child on the streets of Boston. I was allowed to walk and ride the T basically do whatever I wanted during the summer from 77 to 82 or so. My parents were divorced and I'd live with my dad in summer and he worked for the state at 100 Nashua st. I would pop in to the office around lunch if I needed spending money . He had a buddy there or maybe his boss , that had tickets to hand out for those afternoon day games .
I became a big fan because i would be able to bring a friend or possibly a girl if i was fortunate to the game . It was a treat . If he gave me a single well a seat in the bleachers was only a few bucks , we could always find cheap seats and then just sit wherever once we were all inside.
I suspect my dad wasnt a great parent . I doubt I would let a 10 year old wander the streets all day if it was up to me
. Doubt it would happen in 2026 in any case , I'm just remembering now that I would wander through the combat zone sometimes too 
, it was day time but still
It was a a golden era for me. After 82 ish I think I was smoking too much weed and spent my few dollars on that instead of the Subway or the bus
Nice to hear from you bronco it’s been awhile. 👍
I think i bought a few coins off the BST last spring but other than that I haven't been by at all in months
Hi @bronco2078
Been awhile bud 🍻
it has been ! and its been a good patriots season but i haven't read a single patriots post
it was indirect nostalgia for the combat zone that got me to post
now my head is full of 70's music on a loop