MLB: The 6 Greatest Catchers to Ever Play the Game

CheatSheet ^ | September 20, 2015 | Michael Laurila

[jwalsh07]

Definitely. No comparison. Shortstop was a walk in the park compared to catching a double header. Physically and mentally more demanding. But I enjoyed both. Good behind the plate with an adequate arm but nhitting was my forte.

[jwalsh07]

Those were great days in New York. Willie, Yogi, Mickey and the Duke.

[kabar]

Willie was a complete player. Fantastic fielder, great arm, hit for power and average, speed, and a great base stealer.

The Babe was a great player no doubt, including setting the 29 2/3 scoreless innings pitched in the WS. However, the Babe did not have the physical gifts Willie had in the field and on the base paths.

[Straight Vermonter]

But I would add Gary Carter. He was better than Piazza and equal to Fisk.

I love Carter, I grew up watching him play in Montreal, but that is just silly. The numbers are not close.

[steve8714]

McCarver couldn’t throw my grandma out. Otherwise...

[jwalsh07]

:-) We will never agree but I sure enjoyed talking to baseball fans who know there stuff and remember how good those guys were. Thanks.

[kabar]

No doubt. The Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers at that time had some of the greatest players ever in the history of the game. With only 8 teams in each league, the concentration of talent was amazing. Baseball was at that time truly our national pastime.

Latin American ballplayers have saved baseball.

[FreeReign]

But I would add Gary Carter. He was better than Piazza and equal to Fisk.

I love Carter, I grew up watching him play in Montreal, but that is just silly. The numbers are not close.

No not at all. Going by the numbers, Carter actually has a much higher WAR than Piazza. Fisk is close.

Are you a Red Sox fan?

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

Yes! I remember how the ‘Spos PA announcer, Claude Mouton, would make such a big thing over his name. “Jooooooooooohn Baaaaaaa.....ka-bell-laaaaaaaa”.

[dfwgator]

I miss the Expos, they need to come back.

[Straight Vermonter]

No, I'm a Yankee fan.

You can have your preference but I know who I would take.

.262 /.335 /.439
.308 /.377 /.545

Just for comparison Jorge Posada: .273 / .374 / .474

[CommerceComet]

How could anyone leave off Roy Campanella? I detest the Dodgers but you have to respect talent regardless of the uniform. Three MVP awards and eight All-Star appearances in a ten-year career. Unfortunately, his career got off to a late start and an early end but during his career, Campanella was as good as any catcher who ever played.

I would drop Fisk, Rodriguez, or Piazza in a heartbeat to include Campanella. IMO, Fisk doesn't belong in this group and Campanella's numbers weren't inflated by chemical assistance.

[Riley]

I was a catcher until my senior year in high school when they switched me to shortstop.

That was my great grandfather's position- he played for the Alleghenies and then the Pittsburgh Pirates.

[Riley]

Actually- he was a catcher, too.

[FreeReign]

No, I'm a Yankee fan.

Me too.

You can have your preference but I know who I would take.

.262 /.335 /.439

.308 /.377 /.545

Piazza was better offensively. Carter was much better than Piazza defensively. When you consider both offense and defense, I believe Carter was better. The Sabermetric numbers say that too.

[gr8eman]

JB number 1 for sure. I never saw Berra but I am sure I Rod was better. Bob Boone should also be on the list!

[dfwgator]

Pudge was the best IMHO, you just didn’t even try to steal on him.

[mkleesma]

What about Gary Carter?

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for posting this reality:

[BIV]

The only Yankee I ever really liked was Elston Howard (I was a White Sox fan). He had some good years as a catcher replacing Yogi. I read that Elston invented the batting donut. How about that?