It's your first major league start. You step to the mound. Who (dead or alive) would you want catching?

Answer 1

dead - either thurman munson, or gaby hartnett
alive (and retired) - johnny bench
currently playing - paul lo duca

these guys can all call a great game, they know a lot about the game, and about the hitters (of their time), plus it doesnt hurt that they can hopefully provide a little offensive support so i lead to work with

Answer 2

Probably Johnny Bench

While he never really caught any great pitchers, he pieced together a bad pitching staff to make it good enough that it didn't keep the Big Red Machine from winning 2 World Series and losing in a 3rd. He was a great defensive catcher, probably one of, if not the best ever and he can be counted on for run support since he's probably the best offensive catcher ever before Piazza.

Answer 3

Based solely on catching and not offense, I would pick either Benito Santiago or Ivan Rodriguez.

Benito, because he was great at calling a game back when the catcher still called the game and not the dugout and he was pretty good at throwing out runners.

Pudge, because he is an awesome defensive catcher, can block bad pitches and one of the best ever at throwing out runners.

Answer 4

Either my Dad or my Brother. I never even got to play a game of catch with my Dad so that would be so cool,hes gone now but I still think of him everyday.Now my brother we played for 30 years together he knows every move I'd make plus I was a pitcher and he was a catcher so that works out very well.Pro player it would have to be a toss up between Yogi and Johnny

Answer 5

There are a few who have been noted for their defensive ability, ability to handle pitchers and to call a good game.

Off the top of my head, I would say that of those playing today, probably Rodriguez and Veritek come to mind. From previous years: Yogi Berra, Bill Freehan and Mike Scioscia.
To pick one, I'd say probably Veritek.

But, hey, to have been good enough to even pitch in the majors would be something, no matter who was catching.

Answer 6

Either Munson or Yogi. Nobody could handle pitchers like those two. Both instinctively knew hitters weak spots and called masterful games over and over again. Both were good clutch hitters so if the game was close you could count on them to chip in with the bat as well to tip the odds in your favor.

Answer 7

Besides the names already mentioned - Jim Sundberg of the Texas Rangers, or Jim Hegan of the Cleveland Indians. Possibly Tony Pena as well.

Answer 8

Ivan Rodriguez

Answer 9

John Stearns...........No, Jerry Grote.............No, Ivan Rodriguez. Every team that Ivan has played on the pitching staff ERA becomes better. He knows how to call a game, still has a powerful arm, great hitter for average and still enjoys playing the game like if he was still 16 years old.

Answer 10

Roy Campanella, Johnny Bench, Ray Schalk or Carlton Fisk. As defensive players and game-callers, they are unparalleled.