2007-07-12 12:36:24 · 16 answers · asked by The Who+Led Zeppelin= greatness 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
no, just compare the stats
2007-07-12 12:38:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i would have to go with Bench as the best all around Offensive Catcher in the History of the game, Piazza might have the better all around numbers but he also played in an ERA where the over all Major League talent has been watered down due to expansion teams (Devil Rays, Rockies, Marlins, Diamond Backs) not to mention the Rangers , Nationals (Expos) , Blue Jays and The Padres who were expansion teams towards the end of Johnny bench career. I know the Angels and Stros were expansion teams during Bench's career. But, still playing against the NL and only 10 Teams as opposed to the 16 Teams there are today would seem a lot more challenging.
2007-07-12 22:19:19 · answer #2 · answered by johnny z 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am a huge Piazza fan..My license plate says
POZAFAN so I'm a huge fan , but I say that Mike would be a better catcher if he could find 2nd base a lot more than he has . He sucks at throwing and getting guys out at 2nd base. I dont remember seeing Bench play much ( wasnt into baseball during my child hood days) as I am now. I like Mike but I think if a catcher can get the guy out at 2nd more than half the time he throws he's better than Mike..
2007-07-13 00:09:54 · answer #3 · answered by sddgerfn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No for two reasons. One, Piazza had to carry the Mets and Dodgers teams he played for offensively where Bench had three Hall of Famers in those Big Red Machine lineups(Rose, Morgan, Perez). Two, Piazza hit for more power and a better average for a longer period of time than Bench. Remember, Bench only lasted fifteen years, and played most of the last three in the infield. Piazza is on his 17th year.
2007-07-12 20:17:07 · answer #4 · answered by Patrick M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Johnny Bench is one of the best defensive catchers in history. Mike Piazza was kind of mediocre behind the plate.
Offensively though, I'd give the edge to Piazza. At least in their prime years.
2007-07-12 20:12:19 · answer #5 · answered by Toodeemo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Piazza's a bit better offensively but Bench is the better catcher.
2007-07-12 22:32:04 · answer #6 · answered by spalffy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Even if you considered them equal in terms of power, Bench never even sniffed anything near a .362 batting average, which is what Piazza hit in 1997.
OPS+ is a very interesting statistic. It's a player's combined on base pct. plus slugging pct., adjusted relative to ballpark and league OPS averages over a period of time. An OPS+ of 100 is average. Bench, for his career, is at 126. Piazza is at 144 (ahead of guys like Harmon Killebrew, Ken Griffey Jr and Reggie Jackson).
2007-07-12 21:49:41 · answer #7 · answered by koreaguy12 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, he isn't. All of his numbers, great as they are for a catcher, pale in comparison to Piazza.
Also, due to his amazingly huge advantage in offense, it is unfair to say that Bench is the better "overall" catcher. Piazza's teams always had good ERA's, and there is no way Bench could have made up the difference with defense.
2007-07-12 19:51:07 · answer #8 · answered by desotobrave 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Piazza is the greatest offensive catcher ever. No one is close.
Johnny Bench is a better catcher overall though.
2007-07-12 19:45:14 · answer #9 · answered by Antwaan M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, not even close.
However, defensively, Bench was way better than Piazza.
2007-07-12 19:40:37 · answer #10 · answered by badotisthecat 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NO question the two cannot be mentioned in the same comparsion.
Bench
2007-07-12 19:43:10 · answer #11 · answered by Michael M 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋