Stat-wise it's Mike Piazza hands down but alot of people think of people like Ivan Rodiguez.....I say Piazza
2007-03-21 04:57:22 · 35 answers · asked by piazzafan01 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I like Yogi Berra. He played in the most World Series games in history. He was also a 3 time MVP.
2007-03-21 05:04:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Well, it's definitely not Piazza. While his offense is good, he defense is horrible. He may be the worst defense catcher with 10 years behind the plate. His career fielding percentage is .989. By comparison, Pudge's career fielding percentage is .993. Brad Ausmus, who won the NL Gold Glove last year has a career .996 fielding percentage.
Fielding percentage aside, Piazza can't throw out runners, and he doesn't call a good game. All this at the position that gets more balls coming its way than any other.
What's odd about your question is that you seem to be stuck on current players when you are talking out the "greatest catcher of all time."
In that respect, you've got to consider Johnny Bench, the gold standard of catchers (a .990 fielding percentage, a cannon arm and a very good bat), or Carlton Fisk, who did it well and did it longer than anyone.
2007-03-21 16:19:12 · answer #2 · answered by Brian T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are these answers all from 30 year olds and younger? How about besides Josh Gibson this guy named Roy Campanella? No one blocked the plate like him he hit for average and power and except for the NY Yankees the Dodgers would have had 6-8 rings. His career was cut short by his accident at 10 years. Imagine his states if played 15-20 like Bench and Fisk. I will admit that Bench was a great offensive catcher but I always felt he was limited defensively. He also played first base towards the end which padded his overall states offensively.
2007-03-21 09:16:07 · answer #3 · answered by brocoman2 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Big Red Machine's Johnny Bench. Piazza for other reasons.
2007-03-21 05:53:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's close, but I'd have to go with Yogi Berra over Bench. Tomorrow I could think differently. :-)
Piazza is the greatest hitting catcher of all time, but his defensive shortcomings are too great for such an important defensive position. Ivan Rodriquez is in the top 10, but probably not the top 5.
2007-03-21 05:44:24 · answer #5 · answered by blueyeznj 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yogi berra johnny bench or Mike Piazza the all time leader for homerruns as a catcher.
2007-03-21 12:03:05 · answer #6 · answered by dwade3 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offensively, Piazza is way better
Deffensively, Pudge is way better
I will have to go with Ivan Rodriguez. I'm not just saying that because I'm from Michigan, I'm saying that because I've thought that since I was in Little League 12 years ago.
My "argument"...Pudge has averaged about 126 games a year with a career .304 average, 12 Gold Gloves and 13 All Star appearances.
2007-03-21 05:58:47 · answer #7 · answered by d-town 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like them both, and since Pudge is still catching, he could pass Mike in the stats. I went to spring training baseball last weekend and saw Mike Piazza, he now is the DH for the A's. And I live in So Cal and loved Mike on the Dodgers.
2007-03-21 05:02:58 · answer #8 · answered by smartypants909 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It would have to be Johnny Bench. While Piazza offensive numbers are better and Pudge may be a better defensive player overall, overall bench especially in the era he played was better.
2007-03-21 09:13:02 · answer #9 · answered by john b 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Top Five Catchers, all time
1. Johnny Bench
2. Mike Piazza
3. Pudge Rodriguez
4. Gary Carter
5. Charlie Leary
2007-03-21 08:27:42 · answer #10 · answered by chadzappia 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Piazza and Rodriguez are in my top 5 but overall because of his defense capabilities and power I pick Johnny Bench
2007-03-21 05:46:00 · answer #11 · answered by Dave aka Spider Monkey 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋