who is the greatest catcher ever?

Answer 1

johnny bench

Answer 2

No arguments about the abilities of Johnny Bench or Ivan Rodriguez (especially Pudge's Gold Gloves!), but I go with Yogi Berra because of his phenomenal "book" on every hitter in the American League, and more than a few in the National League thanks to his many All-Star and World Series appearances. This despite playing many games as an outfielder!

He used his legendary gift of gab to distract opposing batters, and is one of only four catchers to have a perfect fielding record (1.000) in a season (1958) - how he didn't get a Gold Glove for that I will never know. He was generally regarded as a great fielder, having been taught by Bill Dickey, another Hall of Fame catcher known for his fielding. Berra was also fast for a catcher, and used his hustle to make unassisted double plays on a number of occasions. He frequently led all catchers in the AL in double plays.

Berra also was a dangerous hitter, being especially good at hitting "bad balls". He won the MVP award three times and could usually be found among the league's leading hitters in several categories. Moreover, he was difficult to strike out.

I'd have to rate Berra as the greatest catcher overall.

Another likely candidate is Roger Bresnahan, who besides outstanding hitting, fielding and speed (he was a leadoff hitter!) invented catchers' shin guards and an improved catcher's mask. He also came up with one of the earliest batting helmets, but it did not catch on.

Roy Campanella won several MVP awards and has always been up there with the other great catchers, too.

And I would like to at least give nods to Gary Carter and Carlton Fisk. Josh Gibson was probably the greatest hitting catcher ever, but not much has been said about his fielding or his handling of pitchers, though of course both had to be at least reasonably good or he would not have remained a catcher.

Answer 3

Thurman Munson - sadly his career was cut
short by an airplane crash. He was the captain of the Yankees for most of the 1970's. He might have surpased Yogi in the position had he played longer and it was hard to argue that Johnny Bench or Carlton Fisk was really the better player or hitter while Munson was alive. He lead the American League an number of times among catchers having the most base stealers through out and he had a number of plus 100 RBI years when that really meant something.

Answer 4

Career
#1 - Mike Piazza -
BA-310 OB%-381 SLG-554 HR-415 OPS-935

#2 - Roy Campanella
BA-276 OB%-359 SLG-500 HR-242 OPS-859

#3 - Yogi Berra
BA-285 OB%-349 SLG-482 HR-358 OPS-831

#4 - Ivan Rodriguez
BA-304 OB%-343 SLG-484 HR-273 OPS-827

#5 - Johnny Bench
BA-267 OB%-342 SLG-476 HR-389 OPS-818

Single Season - Best

#1-Mike Piazza - 1997
BA-362 OB%-432 SLG-638 HR-40 RBI-124 OPS-1070

#2-Javy Lopez - 2003
BA-328 OB%-378 SLG-687 HR-43 RBI-109 OPS-1065

#3-Roy Campanella - 1953
BA-312 OB%-395 SLG-611 HR-41 RBI-142 OPS-1006

#4-Chris Hoiles - 1993 - OPS-1001

#5-Todd Hundley - 1997 - OPS-943

#6-Johnny Bench - 1970
BA-293 OB%-351 SLG-587 HR-45 RBI-148 OPS-938

#7-Rick Wilkins - 1993 - OPS-937

#8-Walker Cooper - 1947
BA-305 OB%-339 SLG-586 HR-35 RBI-122 OPS-925

#9-Andy Seminick - 1950 - OPS-924

#10-Carlton Fisk - 1977 OPS-923

#11-Yogi Berra - 1950
BA-322 OB%-383 SLG-533 HR-28 RBI-124 OPS-916

#12-Ivan Rodriguez - 1999
BA-332 OB%-356 SLG-558 HR-35 RBI-113 OPS-914

#12-Mike Lieberthal - 1999 - OPS-914

#14-Darren Daulton - 1992 - OPS-913

#15-Ted Simmons - 1977 - OPS-910

#16-Darrell Porter - 1979 - OPS-905

I only used catchers from the modern era of baseball 1946-2006, minimum 120 games caught...If I forgot someone with an OPS over "900" , sorry

Answer 5

Coming from a Yankee fan: Johnny Bench is the best defensive catcher who could hit. He was well rounded and put together solid hitting seasons. He only batted over .300 in one season but hit over 20 homeruns in 11 of 16 seasons. So he is the best all around. Yogi Berra is by far the best hitting cathcer posting an carrer average of .285 and smacking .358 homeruns

Answer 6

I think it would have to be Johnny Bench.

Defensively, he trails only Pudge Rodriguez in Gold Gloves, despite playing in an era of great defensive catchers. He was the best backstop during his day, and arguably the best ever. Great arm, and a good game caller.

Offensively, Bench hit 389 homers in a time where that actually meant something. He won two MVPs on one of the great baseball dynasties, and he managed to stand out despite being surrounded by guys like Rose, Morgan, Griffey and Foster.

After Bench, I think you have to look at Yogi Berra, Pudge, and Mickey Cochrane. I think an argument could be made for any of them.

Answer 7

Yogi Berra. The catcher is the leader of the team and Yogi helped lead the Yankees to 10 World Series. Thats more than all TEAMS except for the Yankees. Thats for the MLB. Id say Josh Gibson was. Unfortunatly he never played in the bigs.

Answer 8

1. Johnny Bench
2. Yogi Berra
3. Mike Piazza

Answer 9

Yogi Berra

Answer 10

I am glad to see that we at least have some Dodger fans here. Therefore I would answer your question by saying Mike Piazza, Roy Campanella and Johnny Bench.

Answer 11

Johnny Bench