| All-Time Catchers Page! |
Welcome to Nowbatting19's All-Time Catchers page! On this page we will feature some of baseball's greatest catchers, especially my two personal favorites,
Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk. Enjoy!
Johnny Bench and Carlton Fisk. Enjoy!
1969 Topps #95 Johnny Bench (second year card)
Johnny Bench is considered to be the quintessential backstop. He not only could hit with power, but he also was a potent defensive threat, winning 10 Gold Glove awards in his career.
He was nicknamed "The Little General" as there was no doubt as to who was in charge behind the plate. Bench went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award (1968), 2
National League Most Valuable Player awards (1970, 1972), and helped the Reds to 4 World Series (including 2 Champions; 1975, 1976). He was the MVP of the 1976 World Series,
batting .533 with 8 hits, including a double, triple, 2 Home Runs, and 6 RBI's in sweeping the New York Yankees. Johnny Bench retired in 1983 as the All-Time leader in career Home
Runs by a catcher (Bench hit a total of 389 career home runs), though that record has since been broken by Carlton Fisk and later, Mike Piazza. Over a 162 game schedule, Johnny
Bench would have averaged 29 HRs and 103 RBIs per season! I would have to say that if I were to pick an all-time catcher I would have to go with #5 of the Cincinnati Reds, Johnny
Bench.
This 1970 Topps #660 Johnny Bench baseball card (above) is from the high numbered series. Hence, it is somewhat difficult to obtain and one of Bench's most desirable cards among
collectors
He was nicknamed "The Little General" as there was no doubt as to who was in charge behind the plate. Bench went on to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award (1968), 2
National League Most Valuable Player awards (1970, 1972), and helped the Reds to 4 World Series (including 2 Champions; 1975, 1976). He was the MVP of the 1976 World Series,
batting .533 with 8 hits, including a double, triple, 2 Home Runs, and 6 RBI's in sweeping the New York Yankees. Johnny Bench retired in 1983 as the All-Time leader in career Home
Runs by a catcher (Bench hit a total of 389 career home runs), though that record has since been broken by Carlton Fisk and later, Mike Piazza. Over a 162 game schedule, Johnny
Bench would have averaged 29 HRs and 103 RBIs per season! I would have to say that if I were to pick an all-time catcher I would have to go with #5 of the Cincinnati Reds, Johnny
Bench.
This 1970 Topps #660 Johnny Bench baseball card (above) is from the high numbered series. Hence, it is somewhat difficult to obtain and one of Bench's most desirable cards among
collectors
1975 Topps #80 Carlton Fisk
Carlton Fisk was the American League's answer to Johnny Bench. Like Bench, Carlton Fisk won the Rookie of the Year Award (American League, 1972). He posted similar 162
game averages as Bench; 24 Home Runs and 85 RBI's averaged over 162 games. Considering Fisk suffered several serious injuries, including a broken arm in 1974, this is quite an
accomplishment. Fisk went on to hit 376 career home runs. He also is the leader in career games caught by a backstop (2226 games). Of course when speaking of Carlton Fisk, you
always remember Game 6 of the 1975 World Series (against Bench's Big Red Machine) when he hit a game winning shot off the left field foul pole. One of the all-time great baseball
moments. Why I really like Fisk was his intensity. Like Bench, Fisk was IN CHARGE behind the plate. In fact, Fisk (along with Thurman Munson) helped start the Red Sox/ Yankee
rivalry of the 1970's. On August 1, 1973 in a game against the Yankees, Fisk was involved in a collision at the plate by rival AL catcher Thurman Munson. A brawl ensued and this
game is pinpointed as fuel for the fire in the Bosox - Yanks rivalry. This was not your current, tame, Red Sox Yankees rivalry where you have players on opposite teams hugging each
other before the games. The Red Sox players of the 1970's HATED the New York Yankees and vice versa. Another favorite Fisk moment was when he was with the Chicago White
Sox and in a game against the Yankees (of course), Deon "Prime Time" Sanders did not run out a pop fly. Fisk, professional veteran that he was, yelled at Sanders to run it out.
Another brawl almost occurred but that incident goes to show exactly what kind of players both Fisk (and Deon) Sanders were. One is in the Hall of Fame and the other is not and
never will be. There is a right way to play the game and a wrong way and Carlton Fisk played the game the RIGHT way.
This 1975 Topps Carlton Fisk baseball card (above) is hard to acquire in high grade (MINT or better). This is because the '75 is very condition sensitive; the brightly colored borders
show the slightest bit of wear. I picked up this card for five bucks on eBay. Worth every penny in my book.
game averages as Bench; 24 Home Runs and 85 RBI's averaged over 162 games. Considering Fisk suffered several serious injuries, including a broken arm in 1974, this is quite an
accomplishment. Fisk went on to hit 376 career home runs. He also is the leader in career games caught by a backstop (2226 games). Of course when speaking of Carlton Fisk, you
always remember Game 6 of the 1975 World Series (against Bench's Big Red Machine) when he hit a game winning shot off the left field foul pole. One of the all-time great baseball
moments. Why I really like Fisk was his intensity. Like Bench, Fisk was IN CHARGE behind the plate. In fact, Fisk (along with Thurman Munson) helped start the Red Sox/ Yankee
rivalry of the 1970's. On August 1, 1973 in a game against the Yankees, Fisk was involved in a collision at the plate by rival AL catcher Thurman Munson. A brawl ensued and this
game is pinpointed as fuel for the fire in the Bosox - Yanks rivalry. This was not your current, tame, Red Sox Yankees rivalry where you have players on opposite teams hugging each
other before the games. The Red Sox players of the 1970's HATED the New York Yankees and vice versa. Another favorite Fisk moment was when he was with the Chicago White
Sox and in a game against the Yankees (of course), Deon "Prime Time" Sanders did not run out a pop fly. Fisk, professional veteran that he was, yelled at Sanders to run it out.
Another brawl almost occurred but that incident goes to show exactly what kind of players both Fisk (and Deon) Sanders were. One is in the Hall of Fame and the other is not and
never will be. There is a right way to play the game and a wrong way and Carlton Fisk played the game the RIGHT way.
This 1975 Topps Carlton Fisk baseball card (above) is hard to acquire in high grade (MINT or better). This is because the '75 is very condition sensitive; the brightly colored borders
show the slightest bit of wear. I picked up this card for five bucks on eBay. Worth every penny in my book.
1953 Topps #27 Roy Campanella
Another all-time catcher is this Dodger great, Roy Campanella ("Campy"). Roy Campanella played only 10 years due to tragic auto accident that paralyzed him prior to the Dodgers
move to Los Angeles in 1958. However Campy made the most of those 10 years, winning 3 National League MVP Awards (1951, 1953, 1955). He batted .276 lifetime (career high
.325 in 1951) with 242 Home Runs (career high 41 HR in 1953) and 856 RBIs (led NL with 142 in 1953). Over a 162 game schedule Campy would have averaged 32 HRs and 114
RBIs! Campanella was a huge part of the great Brooklyn Dodger teams of the late 1940's through 1950's. The Dodgers went to the World Series 5 times with Campy behind the
plate (World Champions in 1955). Roy Campanella was honored in Los Angeles in 1959 on "Roy Campanella Night." He was escorted on the field at the Los Angeles Memorial
Coliseum by former Dodger captain and teammate Pee Wee Reese and the packed house (over 90,000) all lit matches in honor of Roy. It was a moving tribute. Campy stayed on
with the Dodgers throughout his life as a part time coach and helped teach future Dodger catchers like Mike Piazza. Roy Campanella passed away on June 26, 1993. He was
inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.
This 1953 Topps baseball card of Roy Campanella (above) is one of my all-time favorites. Just look at that smile! And this was BEFORE 10 million dollar a year contracts!
move to Los Angeles in 1958. However Campy made the most of those 10 years, winning 3 National League MVP Awards (1951, 1953, 1955). He batted .276 lifetime (career high
.325 in 1951) with 242 Home Runs (career high 41 HR in 1953) and 856 RBIs (led NL with 142 in 1953). Over a 162 game schedule Campy would have averaged 32 HRs and 114
RBIs! Campanella was a huge part of the great Brooklyn Dodger teams of the late 1940's through 1950's. The Dodgers went to the World Series 5 times with Campy behind the
plate (World Champions in 1955). Roy Campanella was honored in Los Angeles in 1959 on "Roy Campanella Night." He was escorted on the field at the Los Angeles Memorial
Coliseum by former Dodger captain and teammate Pee Wee Reese and the packed house (over 90,000) all lit matches in honor of Roy. It was a moving tribute. Campy stayed on
with the Dodgers throughout his life as a part time coach and helped teach future Dodger catchers like Mike Piazza. Roy Campanella passed away on June 26, 1993. He was
inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.
This 1953 Topps baseball card of Roy Campanella (above) is one of my all-time favorites. Just look at that smile! And this was BEFORE 10 million dollar a year contracts!
1955 Topps #198 Yogi Berra
A lot of younger fans might not know who Yogi Berra is, except maybe for the fact that he is that guy who talks funny on that AFLAC commercial ("And it pays you money, which is
just as good as cash..."). "Yogi-isms" aside, Yogi Berra is considered to be one of the greatest backstops ever. Like his counterpart in the National League, Roy Campanella, Yogi
won 3 American League MVP Awards (1951, 1954, 1955). In fact, Berra finished in the top 3 in MVP balloting a total of FOUR other years! No small feat considering you are
playing on a team with a guy named Mickey Mantle. Berra played a total of 19 years in the big leagues, mostly as a New York Yankee. 11 different times he hit 20 or more HRs, and
at the time of his retirement in 1965, he was the all-time leader in home runs by a catcher (since beaten by Bench, Fisk, and Piazza). However this does not diminish Berra's
legacy. Berra is endeared by not just Yankee fans, but ALL baseball fans (myself included, and I HATE the damn Yankees). He was a clutch performer, Most Valuable Player and a
Hall of Famer (inducted in 1972). Check out his stats if you don't believe me (courtesy of baseballreference.com)
just as good as cash..."). "Yogi-isms" aside, Yogi Berra is considered to be one of the greatest backstops ever. Like his counterpart in the National League, Roy Campanella, Yogi
won 3 American League MVP Awards (1951, 1954, 1955). In fact, Berra finished in the top 3 in MVP balloting a total of FOUR other years! No small feat considering you are
playing on a team with a guy named Mickey Mantle. Berra played a total of 19 years in the big leagues, mostly as a New York Yankee. 11 different times he hit 20 or more HRs, and
at the time of his retirement in 1965, he was the all-time leader in home runs by a catcher (since beaten by Bench, Fisk, and Piazza). However this does not diminish Berra's
legacy. Berra is endeared by not just Yankee fans, but ALL baseball fans (myself included, and I HATE the damn Yankees). He was a clutch performer, Most Valuable Player and a
Hall of Famer (inducted in 1972). Check out his stats if you don't believe me (courtesy of baseballreference.com)
1971 Topps #5 Thurman Munson (second year card)
| 1970 Topps #660 Johnny Bench (back view) |
Thurman Munson is not in the Hall of Fame. But I think he should be. First, Munson brought the Yankees back to contention. Leader? He was honored by being appointed the
Yankees team captain. Fielding? 3 Gold Gloves. Hitting? Try .292 lifetime, with 1558 hits, 229 doubles, 113 HRs, & 701 RBIs in only 11 seasons. Champion? Yes, 3 times Munson
led the Yankees to the World Series (1976, 1977, 1978), with the Yankees winning in both '77 & '78. Tragically he was killed in an airplane crash on August 2, 1979. He was only 32
years old. As much as I don't like the Yankees I do know a great player when I see one and Thurman Munson belongs in the Hall of Fame. It's a real shame he is not.
This is Munson's second year card from the tough, condition-sensitive 1971 Topps set. The jet black borders show the tiniest bits of wear. This is probably Munson's toughest card
to find in high grade. Even NM examples like the one above sell for about $115, which is even more than his rookie card (1970 Topps #189 Yankees Rookie Stars) which lists for
$75 in graded NM condition!
Yankees team captain. Fielding? 3 Gold Gloves. Hitting? Try .292 lifetime, with 1558 hits, 229 doubles, 113 HRs, & 701 RBIs in only 11 seasons. Champion? Yes, 3 times Munson
led the Yankees to the World Series (1976, 1977, 1978), with the Yankees winning in both '77 & '78. Tragically he was killed in an airplane crash on August 2, 1979. He was only 32
years old. As much as I don't like the Yankees I do know a great player when I see one and Thurman Munson belongs in the Hall of Fame. It's a real shame he is not.
This is Munson's second year card from the tough, condition-sensitive 1971 Topps set. The jet black borders show the tiniest bits of wear. This is probably Munson's toughest card
to find in high grade. Even NM examples like the one above sell for about $115, which is even more than his rookie card (1970 Topps #189 Yankees Rookie Stars) which lists for
$75 in graded NM condition!
1973 Topps #193 Carlton Fisk 1976 Topps #300 Johnny Bench
1962 Post Canadian #152 Joe Torre
I bet a lot of you don't know that Joe Torre was actually a pretty damn good player, before he became a pretty good manager for the New York Yankees. Torre started his career
with the Milwaukee Braves and was a terrific hitter. In 1971 he won the NL Most Valuable Player Award with the St. Louis Cardinals by leading the league in hitting (.363 batting
average), 230 hits, and 137 runs batted in. Among those 230 hits were 34 doubles, 8 triples, and 24 home runs. Joe Torre played 18 seasons, batted .297 lifetime, with 2342 hits,
344 doubles, 59 triples, 252 HRs with a career high of 36 in 1966), and 1185 RBIs (including 5 seasons of 100+ RBIs). Not bad at all.
with the Milwaukee Braves and was a terrific hitter. In 1971 he won the NL Most Valuable Player Award with the St. Louis Cardinals by leading the league in hitting (.363 batting
average), 230 hits, and 137 runs batted in. Among those 230 hits were 34 doubles, 8 triples, and 24 home runs. Joe Torre played 18 seasons, batted .297 lifetime, with 2342 hits,
344 doubles, 59 triples, 252 HRs with a career high of 36 in 1966), and 1185 RBIs (including 5 seasons of 100+ RBIs). Not bad at all.
1935 Wheaties Series 1 Mickey Cochrane
One of the best catchers in the 1920's thru 1930's was Gordon Stanley Cochrane, or "Mickey" Cochrane. Cochrane played backstop for both the Philadelphia Athletics and
Detroit Tigers, and it is no coincidence that both teams went to the World Series (A's with Cochrane went in 1929 through 1931 and the Tigers went in 1934 and 1935). Cochrane
only played 13 seasons, so getting to the World Series 5 different times during his career tells you something about Mr. Mickey Cochrane. What also stands out about Cochrane
was hit batting marks. He hit .320 LIFETIME, including a career high .357 in 1930. Mickey played catcher his entire career with the exception of 1 game where he played outfield.
His lifetime fielding mark stands at a respectable .985. I believe Mickey Cochrane had to retire early because of a bad beaning (remember, back then players did not wear helmets)
but even in spite of his short career, he was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1947. Another tidbit about Cochrane. One fan was so impressed with Mickey Cochrane that he named
his son "Mickey" after the great catcher. Mutt Mantle's son, of course grew up to become the great Mickey Mantle.
Yes, Wheaties, "The Breakfast of Champions," has been around for quite awhile. This "card" of Mickey Cochrane was cut from the cereal box back in 1935. With a printed "frame" I
imagine most of these were pinned or taped to the walls of aspiring ballplayers.
Detroit Tigers, and it is no coincidence that both teams went to the World Series (A's with Cochrane went in 1929 through 1931 and the Tigers went in 1934 and 1935). Cochrane
only played 13 seasons, so getting to the World Series 5 different times during his career tells you something about Mr. Mickey Cochrane. What also stands out about Cochrane
was hit batting marks. He hit .320 LIFETIME, including a career high .357 in 1930. Mickey played catcher his entire career with the exception of 1 game where he played outfield.
His lifetime fielding mark stands at a respectable .985. I believe Mickey Cochrane had to retire early because of a bad beaning (remember, back then players did not wear helmets)
but even in spite of his short career, he was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1947. Another tidbit about Cochrane. One fan was so impressed with Mickey Cochrane that he named
his son "Mickey" after the great catcher. Mutt Mantle's son, of course grew up to become the great Mickey Mantle.
Yes, Wheaties, "The Breakfast of Champions," has been around for quite awhile. This "card" of Mickey Cochrane was cut from the cereal box back in 1935. With a printed "frame" I
imagine most of these were pinned or taped to the walls of aspiring ballplayers.
1971 Topps #117 Ted Simmons (Rookie card)
You don't hear too often about this terrific catcher, Ted Simmons. Probably because he played during the same time as Johnny Bench, he seems to be largely ignored by both fans
and the baseball writers. You never hear about Ted Simmons. But I remember he was a good hitter and a switch hitter too. Very similar to Jason Varitek today of the Boston Red
Sox. Varitek is a great catcher and a team leader, but I seriously doubt he will post similar career numbers as Simmons. Simmons was able to enjoy a long career, playing 21 years in
the big leagues. He batted .285 lifetime, with almost 2,500 hits (2,472), 483 doubles, 248 Home Runs (including six different seasons of 20 or more HR's), 1,074 runs, 1,389 RBI's,
and had 855 walks compared to only 694 career strikeouts. His fielding average was .986. Ted Simmons appeared in one World Series (1982 Brewers) and had 2 HR's and 3 RBI's in
a losing effort. One of under appreciated players of the 1970's and early 1980's.
and the baseball writers. You never hear about Ted Simmons. But I remember he was a good hitter and a switch hitter too. Very similar to Jason Varitek today of the Boston Red
Sox. Varitek is a great catcher and a team leader, but I seriously doubt he will post similar career numbers as Simmons. Simmons was able to enjoy a long career, playing 21 years in
the big leagues. He batted .285 lifetime, with almost 2,500 hits (2,472), 483 doubles, 248 Home Runs (including six different seasons of 20 or more HR's), 1,074 runs, 1,389 RBI's,
and had 855 walks compared to only 694 career strikeouts. His fielding average was .986. Ted Simmons appeared in one World Series (1982 Brewers) and had 2 HR's and 3 RBI's in
a losing effort. One of under appreciated players of the 1970's and early 1980's.