who was the best catcher of all time?

Answer 1

carlton fisk

Answer 2

Yogi. Better all around stats than Bench, 10 rings, 3 time MVP vs.2 time, played in an era of many all-time greats and still won mvp's, and was the leader of many of those world series teams. Yogi 1, bench 2. Can't go wrong with either one.

Piazza I would say is the best offensive catcher though.

Answer 3

Johnny Bench, even thought my favorite catcher was Thurmond Munson.

My catchers mitt, which I bought when I was 12 in 1979 and still have, is a Johnny Bench. I ask the kids on my 14 & under teams whose signature it is and most will say Johnny BERCH not Bench!

The number I wore throughout my playing days was Munson's 15.

Answer 4

As the name suggests, it is just my opinion--i.e., there is no right answer--but for my money it was, is, and always will be Johnny Bench. He played in the era of the catcher and was the best of them all! Until he was hobbled by injuries, he could do it all: Catch, throw, hit for average (.280 or so), and for power. He could even steal a base now and then.

J.B. was a leader, a class guy, a catcher's catcher, and most importantly an ambassador for baseball. He was my boyhood idol. I still get chills when I see video of him catching.

Answer 5

All time, is gotta be Johnny Bench.

1968 Rookie of the Year
1970 NL-MVP
1972 NL-MVP
1976 World Series MVP
10 Gold Gloves
2nd most home runs by a catcher (389).

Answer 6

Johnny Bench was the best all around catcher. His defense was second to none and he really dominated offensively from 1970-1976. Too bad he only played 16 seasons, he could have easily slugged 400 home runs.

Answer 7

It's a close call between Berra and Bench. Today I say Berra.

Berra won 3 MVP's in a league that included, among others, Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams in their primes. That's pretty remarkable in and of itself.

That being said, ask me another time and I could easily switch to Bench!

Answer 8

Johnny Bench.

Answer 9

Ivan Rodriguez, though there'll be a lot of support for Bench, Berra, Campanella, and Gibson.

Answer 10

Johnny Bench?????? Fortunate to have seen him play. As a yankee fan I've gotta mention Yogi. But Bench hands down. You know defensively Posada is pretty darn good. Hitting well this year too. Piazza, Piazza'z got no defense; he couldn't throw out trash. Pudge is top-notch. Car;ton Fisk ... please ...

Answer 11

Josh Gibson
The true statistical achievements of ***** League players are impossible to know, as the ***** Leagues did not compile complete statistics or game summaries. As such, it is difficult to separate truth from myth in regards to ***** League stars such as Josh Gibson. His Baseball Hall of Fame plaque says he hit "almost 800" homers in his 17-year career [1], although the home runs are not recognized as Major League achievement, Gibson is still considered one of the best home run hitters of all time. He is credited with several amazing years, slugging 69 home runs in 1934 and batting .467 with 55 home runs in 137 games in 1933. His lifetime batting average is said to be higher than .350, with other sources putting it as high as .384, the best in ***** League history. It was reported that he won nine home-run titles and four batting championships playing for the Crawfords and the Homestead Grays. In two seasons in the late 1930s, it was written that not only did he hit higher than .400, but his slugging percentage was above 1.000. The Sporting News of June 3, 1967 credits Gibson with a home run in a ***** League game at Yankee Stadium that struck two feet from the top of the wall circling the center field bleachers, about 580 feet from home plate. Although it has never been conclusively proven, Chicago American Giants infielder Jack Marshall said Gibson slugged one over the third deck next to the left field bullpen in 1934 for the only fair ball hit out of the Yankee Stadium.