Who was the greatest catcher of al time?

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 9:51AM

Who do you think and give the reason why.

tennesseebanker · March 10, 2007 9:52AM

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 9:53AM

WinPitcher · March 10, 2007 9:54AM

Choo Choo Coleman

<eyeroll>

Steve

lawnmowerman · March 10, 2007 10:02AM

I think it depends on which Al you are referring to. There have been many guys named Al.

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 10:02AM

<< Choo Choo Coleman

Steve >>

ouch.

67standup · March 10, 2007 10:03AM

Richard Gedman...just because

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 10:03AM

<< 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.

originalisbest · March 10, 2007 10:04AM

Maybe Cochrane? Campy, Berra, etc.

lawnmowerman · March 10, 2007 10:04AM

<< 

<< 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?

estang · March 10, 2007 10:06AM

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.

css23 · March 10, 2007 10:06AM

Bo Diaz

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 10:08AM

<< Bo Diaz >>

Interesting choice, why did you pick him?

lostdart58 · March 10, 2007 10:09AM

The hell with you guys.........we all know its Biff Pocoroba

tennesseebanker · March 10, 2007 10:10AM

Bo Diaz
R.i.p.

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 10:11AM

<< 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.

css23 · March 10, 2007 10:12AM

First name I thought of when I saw the thread. I would have to say Bench and/or Berra.

lawnmowerman · March 10, 2007 10:14AM

I would really say Bench.

But of course there is always Charles's Johnson

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 10:15AM

<< 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.

itzagoner · March 10, 2007 10:17AM

Morris "Moe" Berg

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 10:19AM

<< 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.

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 10:21AM

<< 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.

Gonblott · March 10, 2007 10:22AM

I'd vote Bench as well, one of the greatest.

TJMAC · March 10, 2007 10:22AM

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.

stown · March 10, 2007 10:24AM

Brad Ausmus

Edited: Cause I say so

MooseDog · March 10, 2007 10:26AM

Mike Heath

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 10:29AM

<< 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.

markj111 · March 10, 2007 10:31AM

FWIW Win Shares has Berra first and Bench second. I suspect that Bench's peak was higher than Berra's, but his career was relatively short.

stown · March 10, 2007 10:31AM

<< 

<< 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

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 10:34AM

<< 

<< 

<< 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.

Boopotts · March 10, 2007 10:55AM

Liberace.

Where's Lee? He must be out drinking. I'm amazed he didn't beat me to this.

ravenman · March 10, 2007 10:55AM

ravenman · March 10, 2007 10:58AM

rick dempsey!!!!

Uncbob · March 10, 2007 11:32AM

FWIW

Ty Cobb who has a reputation as a racist and who didn't see the modern catchers said it was CAMPY

augustaman · March 10, 2007 11:37AM

Johnny Bench without a doubt............
end of conversation.

ArnyVee · March 10, 2007 11:40AM

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!

baseballfanatic · March 10, 2007 11:42AM

Josh Gibson. Period.

jamesgotpoorman · March 10, 2007 11:43AM

best "North of the border" ~~~ Gary carter

Blackborder · March 10, 2007 12:04PM

<< 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

storm888 · March 10, 2007 12:07PM

Birth name: Roy Campanella
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.

Bunker · March 10, 2007 12:13PM

See tennesseebanker's sig line

MS70Dreams · March 10, 2007 12:22PM

Johnny Bench hands down!

RoarIn84 · March 10, 2007 12:32PM

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.

cardbender · March 10, 2007 12:51PM

Bench
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.

theczar · March 10, 2007 12:55PM

liberace

-----------------
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.

lawnmowerman · March 10, 2007 1:02PM

<< 

<< 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

Onlypsahockey · March 10, 2007 1:04PM

<< 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. >>

<< Liberace >>

1.) CARLTON FISK
2.) JASON VARITEK (2007 WS MVP)

Bob C.