MLB Power Rankings: The Greatest Catcher in Each Team's History

Among the nine positions in baseball, the catcher is oftentimes the most overlooked.

For every pitch, there is someone behind the plate ready to catch the ball. A pitch is not released to the batter until after the pitcher receives a sign from the catcher.

Inning after inning, the catcher has the rough task of crouching in a very uncomfortable position that seems to take a toll after a while, as we see catchers traditionally regress late in the season.

When catchers struggle at the plate offensively, they can get a bad rap. However, historically they tend to take more pride in the defensive side of their game.

During baseball's long history, some teams have had more memorable catchers than others. Here we list the top catcher in each team's history.

Arizona: Damian Miller

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PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 4: Catcher Damian Miller #26 of the Milwaukee Brewers jogs during the spring training game against the Seattle Mariners on March 4, 2005 at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix, Arizona. the Brewers won 8-1. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty

Years With Team: 1998-2002
Stats With Team: .269 BA, 48 HR, 194 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 33
162-Game Average: .269 BA, 17 HR, 67 RBI
Accolades: 2002 NL All-Star

As one of the two youngest franchises in baseball, along with Tampa Bay, Arizona has not had a large share of good catchers.

Chris Snyder and Damian Miller have very similar stats, and both played basically four full seasons as the catcher for the Diamondbacks. However, unlike Snyder, Miller was an All-Star for Arizona, as well as the starting catcher for their 2001 World Series club.

Atlanta: Del Crandall

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 11: Fans of the Atlanta Braves cheer against the San Francisco Giants during Game Four of the NLDS of the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Turner Field on October 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1949-1950, 1953-1963
Stats With Team: .257 BA, 170 HR, 628 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 45
162-Game Average: .257 BA, 22 HR, 86 RBI
Accolades: 8x All-Star, 4x Gold Glove

Del Crandall was a key member of a very nice Braves run from 1953-1964, highlighted by the 1957 World Series title. Hitting in a lineup that included all-time power hitters Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews, Crandall carried his own weight on the club, hitting double-digit home runs in nine straight seasons.

Javy Lopez put up bigger numbers as the Braves backstop than Crandall but came nowhere close on the defensive side, with Crandall taking home Gold Glove honors on four occasions.

Baltimore: Chris Hoiles

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25 Apr 1998: Catcher Chris Hoiles of the Baltimore Orioles in action during a game against the Oakland Athletics at the Camden Yards in Baltimore, Maryland. The Orioles defeated the Athletics 8-2. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport

Years With Team: 1989-1998
Stats With Team: .262 BA, 151 HR, 449 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 28
162-Game Average: .262 BA, 27 HR, 81 RBI

From 1989-1998, Chris Hoiles was just about the most reliable Oriole on the team...well, except for Cal Ripken Jr.

Hoiles peaked in 1993, hitting .310 with 29 HR and 82 RBI, while finishing 16th in MVP voting.

Boston: Jason Varitek

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BOSTON - OCTOBER 3: Jason Varitek #33 of the Boston Red Sox reacts to fan applause as he leaves the field for a replacement in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park, October 3, 2010, in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox won 8-4.

Years With Team: 1997-2010
Stats With Team: .258 BA, 152 HR, 721 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 24
162-Game Average: .258 BA, 20 HR, 79 RBI
Accolades: 3x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove

While Varitek is a very mediocre hitting catcher, he brings intangibles that have been invaluable to the Red Sox over the last 13 seasons.

Along with Tim Wakefield, Varitek has been one of the few guys that have been on the Red Sox throughout their very successful run since 1998, which includes two World Series titles and 13 straight winning seasons. Varitek was appointed captain of the Red Sox and will surely be missed when he retires.

Chicago Cubs: Gabby Hartnett

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CHICAGO - JUNE 27: Alex Rios #51 of the Chicago White Sox (R) has words for Geovany Soto #18 of the Chicago Cubs after striking out to end the game at U.S. Cellular Field on June 27, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Cubs defeated the White Sox 8-6. (Photo b

Years With Team: 1922-1940
Stats With Team: .297 BA, 231 HR, 1,153 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: N/A
162-Game Average: .297 BA, 19 HR, 97 RBI
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 1935 NL MVP

The Cubs franchise has been around as long as any other team, and many great players have embraced Chicago and Wrigley Field over the years. However, at the catcher spot, only Gabby Hartnett was among the best in the league at his position.

Hartnett scorched National League pitching in the 1920s and '30s, including taking home 1935 MVP honors, when he hit 37 home runs, knocked in 122 and had a .989 fielding percentage.

Chicago White Sox: Carlton Fisk

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CHICAGO - AUGUST 29: Former player Carlton Fisk of the Chicago White Sox waves to the crowd during a ceremony retiring former slugger Frank Thomas' number 35 before a game against the New York Yankees at U.S. Cellular Field on August 29, 2010 in Chicago,

Years With Team: 1981-1993
Stats With Team: .257 BA, 214 HR, 762 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 34
162-Game Average: .257 BA, 24 HR, 87 RBI
Accolades: 4x All-Star, 3x Silver Slugger

Although Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk is remembered mostly as a Red Sox player, he actually played close to 60 percent of his career for the White Sox. Playing for Chicago, Fisk was a four-time All-Star, hit 37 HR in 1985 and played all the way up until he was 45 years old.

Cincinnati: Johnny Bench

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COOPERSTOWN, NY - JULY 26: Hall of Famer Johnny Bench waves to the crowd as he is introduced at Clark Sports Center during the 2009 Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony on July 26, 2009 in Cooperstown, New York. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1967-1983
Stats With Team: .267 BA, 389 HR, 1,376 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 43
162-Game Average: .267 BA, 29 HR, 103 RBI
Accolades: 14x All-Star, 10x Gold Glove, 2x MVP, ROY

Johnny Bench is not only the best catcher in the Reds' 129-year history, but he may also be the best catcher ever. With the exception of Mike Piazza, Bench was the best power-hitting catcher, topping 40 home runs twice and hitting at least 20 in 11 out of 12 seasons from 1969-1980.

Just as relevant, Johnny Bench may be the best defensive catcher of all time with an astounding Caught Stealing (CS) of 43 percent. He won 10 Gold Gloves, while earning the nickname Pudge, which Ivan Rodriguez must feel honored to continue.

Cleveland: Sandy Alomar Jr.

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ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 8: Sandy Alomar #15 of the Texas Rangers catches against the Cleveland Indians on May 8, 2005 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers defeated the Indians 7-2. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1990-2000
Stats With Team: .277 BA, 92 HR, 453 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 30
162-Game Average: .277 BA, 15 HR, 74 RBI
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove, 1990 ROY

Sandy Alomar Jr. was not only a very good hitting catcher in the 1990s but was also one of the most popular guys in the league. Even in many of Alomar’s weakest statistical seasons, he was still voted onto the AL All-Star team.

His career was highlighted by the 1997 season, when he put together a stat line of a .324 BA, 21 HR and 83 RBI before proceeding to hit five home runs and drive in 19 runs in the postseason, helping the Indians reach the seventh game of the World Series.

Colorado: Joe Giradi

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11 MAY 1994: COLORADO CATCHER JOE GIRARDI DURING THE ROCKIES GAME VERSUS THE SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS AT CANDLESTICK PARK IN SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule/ALLSPORT

Years With Team: 1993-1995
Stats With Team: .274 BA, 15 HR, 120 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 32
162-Game Average: .274 BA, 8 HR, 64 RBI

A franchise that has now been in the league for 18 years, the Rockies haven’t had a better catcher than Joe Girardi. Highlights for Girardi include becoming the franchise's first starting catcher, as well as helping to lead Colorado to a playoff spot in just the Rockies' third season.

After being taken in the 1992 expansion draft, Girardi had a very respectable .274 BA during his three seasons with Colorado.

Detroit: Lance Parrish

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2 Mar 1999: Coach Lance Parrish #13 of the Detroit Tigers poses for a studio portrait on Photo Day during Spring Training at the Joker Merchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Laforet /Allsport

Years With Team: 1977-1986
Stats With Team: .263 BA, 212 HR, 700 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 39
162-Game Average: .263 BA, 30 HR, 99 RBI
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 3x Gold Glove, 4x Silver Slugger

Arguably the best catcher not currently in the Hall of Fame, Lance Parrish was a staple of the Tigers' successful run from 1978-1986. He topped the 20 HR mark six times in seven seasons at one point, including a career-high 33 on the Tigers' World Series championship team in 1984.

Florida: Charles Johnson

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MIAMI - JULY 21: Catcher Charles Johnson #23 of the Florida Marlins swings the bat during the MLB game against the Montreal Expos on July 21, 2002 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Expos won 4-0. (Photo By Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1994-1998, 2001-2002 
Stats With Team: .241 BA, 75 HR, 227 RBI 
Caught Stealing Percentage: 39 
162-Game Average: .241 BA, 21 HR, 76 RBI 
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 4x Gold Glove

From 1994-2002, Charles Johnson spent seven different seasons with the Marlins. Although Johnson hit just .241 in a Marlins uniform, he actually had a lot of success. Johnson managed to win a ring, become an All-Star and earn three Gold Gloves during his somewhat under the radar stint with Florida.

Houston: Brad Ausmus

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SAN DIEGO - MARCH 31: Pitcher Roy Oswalt #44 of the Houston Astros adjusts his cap as he meets on the mound with catcher Brad Ausmus #11 in the game against the San Diego Padres on March 31, 2008 at Petco Park in San Diego, California. (Photo by Steph

Years With Team: 1997-1998, 2001-2008
Stats With Team: .246 BA, 41 HR, 386 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 35
162-Game Average: .246 BA, 5 HR, 50 RBI
Accolades: 3x Gold Glove

Brad Ausmus will without a doubt be remembered more as a game manager than as a hitter.

From 1997-2008, Ausmus played 10 seasons with the Astros and did a tremendous job of playing defense. Perhaps more importantly, Ausmus handled the Houston pitching staff, helping the team make it to the postseason five times. Several top-notch pitchers, including Mike Hampton, Randy Johnson and Roy Oswalt, pitched for Houston during Ausmus’ tenure.

Ausmus easily gets the top spot in Houston catching history, catching 342 more games than anyone else, acquiring three Gold Gloves in the process.

Kansas City: Mike Macfarlane

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10 Mar 1998: Mike Macfarlane #15 of the Kansas City Royals looks on during a spring training game against the New York Yankees at Baseball City Stadium in Davenport, Florida. The Yankees tied the Royals 6-6.

Years With Team: 1987-1994, 1996-1998
Stats With Team: .256 BA, 103 HR, 398 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 33
162-Game Average: .256 BA, 19 HR, 72 RBI

Mike Macfarlane may not be much of a household name, but he just might be the best catcher in Royals history. Despite much success in the late 1970s and into the ‘80s, the Royals haven’t had a particularly rich history at the No. 2 position.

Macfarlane was the Royals' primary catcher for 11 years and was a solid hitter year in and year out, hitting at least 13 home runs five different times in a Royals uniform.

Los Angeles Angels: Bengie Molina

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ANAHEIM, CA - OCTOBER 16: Catcher Bengie Molina #1 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim loses his bat in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox in Game Five of the American League Championship Series on October 16, 2005 at Angel Stadium in Anahe

Years With Team: 2000-2005
Stats With Team: .273 BA, 65 HR, 362 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 31
162-Game Average: .273 BA, 15 HR, 82 RBI
Accolades: 2x Gold Glove

Bengie Molina began his career as an Angel and was an integral part of their success from 2000-2005, which included a World Series title and three playoff appearances.

Prior to Molina’s arrival, the Angels had not made the playoffs in 14 seasons and had very little success at the catcher position after Bob Boone’s departure in 1988.

Molina enjoyed success right away, hitting .281 with 14 home runs in his rookie season, finishing third in Rookie of the Year voting. Molina was also awarded with two Gold Gloves during his time with the Angels and could have earned more if not for having to compete against Ivan Rodriguez during most of those years.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Roy Campanella

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LOS ANGELES - JUNE 27: The video board at Dodger Stadium shows a tribute to former Brooklyn Dodgers catcher Roy Campanella, who died the previous day, before the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Chicago Cubs on June 27, 1993 in Los Angeles, Californi

Years With Team: 1946-1957
Stats With Team: .276 BA, 242 HR, 856 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 48
162-Game Average: .276 BA, 32 HR, 114 RBI
Accolades: 8x All-Star, 3x MVP

Unlike so many other major league teams, the Dodgers have had several productive catchers in their history. For all-time Dodger catching honors, we could have instead gone with Mike Piazza, Steve Yeager, Mike Scioscia or John Roseboro, to name a few.

Unfortunately for those guys, none of them have had a better career in a Dodger uniform than Roy Campanella. Other than Piazza, none of them are even close.

In 10 career seasons, Campanella won six pennants, two World Series and was named MVP three times. He even drove in 142 runs one year, a staggering total for a catcher. Campanella was also voted into five Midsummer Classics and is truly one of the all-time greats.

Milwaukee: Dave Nilsson

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26 Aug 1999: Dave Nilsson #14 of the Milwaukee Brewers looks on during the game against the San Diego Padres at the Qualcomm Park in San Diego, California. The Padres defeated the Brewers 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Hauck /Allsport

Years With Team: 1992-1999
Stats With Team: .284 BA, 105 HR, 470 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 23
162-Game Average: .284 BA, 20 HR, 91 RBI
Accolades: 1x All-Star

After leaving the majors at the age of 29 to go back to Australia, Dave Nilsson’s career will always be overshadowed by questions of what could have been. Even so, Nilsson is the best catcher in Milwaukee Brewers history.

Many players don’t reach their peak until the age of 30, so the fact that Nilsson had five solid seasons, despite retiring at 29, is impressive. Nilsson was an All-Star in 1998 with a .309 BA and 21 HR and actually hit .331 back in 1996, good for sixth best in the AL.

Minnesota: Joe Mauer

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 09: Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins looks on during batting practice against the New York Yankees during Game Three of the ALDS part of the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York Cit

Years With Team: 2004-Present
Stats With Team: .324 BA, 57 HR, 341 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 41
162-Game Average: .324 BA, 15 HR, 92 RBI
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove, 2x Silver Slugger

After the Twins drafted Joe Mauer with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft, expectations were very high. Mauer has met those expectations and then some. Whereas the catcher position is one that normally features players with less than stellar batting averages, the 27-year-old Mauer has somehow already won three batting titles.

Joe Mauer is already one of the best catchers of all time, and he hopefully has another full decade of good baseball left in the tank. In 2009, despite missing all of April with an injury, Mauer won MVP honors, leading the league in on-base percentage and slugging percentage.

New York Mets: Mike Piazza

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FLUSHING, NY - JULY 2: Catcher Mike Piazza #31 of the New York Mets is on the field during the game against the Florida Marlins at Shea Stadium on July 2, 2005 in Flushing, New York. The Marlins won 7-3. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1998-2005
Stats With Team: .296 BA, 220 HR, 655 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 23
162-Game Average: .296 BA, 37 HR, 109 RBI
Accolades: 7x All-Star, 5x Silver Slugger.

Despite not being picked until the 62nd round of the 1988 draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mike Piazza is considered the best hitting catcher of all time. Piazza split his time with the Dodgers and Mets, hitting at an elite level with both clubs.

In eight seasons with the Mets, Piazza was a seven-time All-Star and hit at least 30 home runs in four different seasons. Piazza was a key contributor on the 2000 Mets that won the NL pennant, and he had a bizarre rivalry with seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens.

New York Yankees: Yogi Berra

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NEW YORK - APRIL 13: New York Yankee Hall of Famer Yogi Berra looks on prior to the Yankees playing the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during the Yankees home opener at Yankee Stadium on April 13, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim

Years With Team: 1946-1963
Stats With Team: .285 BA, 358 HR, 1,430 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 49
162-Game Average: .285 BA, 28 HR, 110 RBI
Accolades: 15x All-Star, 3x MVP

Perhaps even more so than the Dodgers, the Yankees have had a plethora of great catchers over the years. While Yogi Berra may be one of the most famous catchers of all time, his rank among all-time Yankee catchers is only slightly higher than Bill Dickey's.

Berra was a key part of an incredible 13 pennants and 10 World Series championship rings, the most of any catcher all time. Meanwhile, Dickey won eight pennants and seven World Series titles with the Yankees, second most of any catcher. Dickey actually owns a .313 career BA but cannot compete with Berra’s three MVP trophies.

Oakland: Mickey Cochrane

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 25: Rajai Davis #11 of the Oakland Athletics is congratulated by Kevin Kouzmanoff #5 after Davis scored in the first inning to give the Athletics a 1-0 lead over the Texas Rangers at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Septembe

Years With Team: 1925-1937
Stats With Team: .321 BA, 108 HR, 680 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: N/A
162-Game Average: .321 BA, 15 HR, 95 RBI
Accolades: 1x MVP, Hall of Fame

Mickey Cochrane was a career .320 hitter, which may have been a result of the era, considering the 1920s and 1930s were two of the best hitting decades in baseball.

Along with teammate Jimmie Foxx, Cochrane was a vital part of the A’s teams that won back-to-back World Series in 1929 and 1930.

Philadelphia: Mike Lieberthal

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DENVER - APRIL 14: Catcher Mike Lieberthal #24 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs on the field during the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 14, 2006 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1994-2006
Stats With Team: .275 BA, 150 HR, 609 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 30
162-Game Average: .275 BA, 21 HR, 84 RBI
Accolades: 2x All-Star, 1x Gold Glove

Overshadowed by an era of great offense, Mike Lieberthal was a model of consistency for the Phillies in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Lieberthal consistently put up solid numbers, highlighted by his 1999 season, when he hit .300 with 31 home runs while also earning Gold Glove honors.

Pittsburgh: Jason Kendall

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CHICAGO - JUNE 4: Jason Kendall #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates runs out of the batters box during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 4, 2004 in Chicago, Illinois. The Pirates defeated the Cubs 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty I

Years With Team: 1996-2004
Stats With Team: .306 BA, 67 HR, 471 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 30
162-Game Average: .306 BA, 9 HR, 60 RBI
Accolades: 3x All-Star

During a time when home runs were at a surplus, Jason Kendall impressed the baseball world from 1996-2004 with his consistently high batting averages.

In nine seasons with Pittsburgh, Kendall hit .306 and was a three-time All-Star. A true contact hitter, Kendall rarely struck out, fanning just 29 times in over 600 plate appearances in 2002.

San Diego: Benito Santiago

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1988: Benito Santiago of the San Diego Padres poses for a portrait during the 1988 season. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1986-1992
Stats With Team: .264 BA, 85 HR, 375 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 35
162-Game Average: .264, 18 HR, 77 RBI
Accolades: 4x All-Star, 2x Gold Glove, 4x Silver Slugger, ROY

As a rookie back in 1982, Benito Santiago captured everyone’s attention, winning both the Rookie of the Year and Silver Slugger Awards while hitting .300 with 18 HR and 79 RBI. Unfortunately for Santiago, he never again had a season quite like his rookie year.

Still, in seven total seasons with San Diego, Santiago was a four-time All-Star, won four Silver Slugger Awards and is still considered to be the best Padres catcher of all time.

San Francisco: Buck Ewing

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 23: The San Francisco Giants celebrate defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 3-2 and winning the pennant in Game Six of the NLCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Citizens Bank Park on October 23, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (

Years With Team: 1883-1889, 1891-1892
Stats With Team: .306 BA, 46 HR, 459 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: N/A
162-Game Average: .306 BA, 10 HR, 101 RBI
Accolades: Hall of Fame

The San Francisco Giants’ history of catchers may have peaked early. In the midst of the Dead Ball era, Buck Ewing was the first great hitting catcher. Ewing hit over .300 eight times and helped the Giants win back-to-back championships in 1888 and 1889.

Seattle: Dan Wilson

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SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 30: Catcher Dan Wilson #6 of the Seattle Mariners waves to his fans in his final game before retiring against the Oakland Athletics on September 30 2005 at Safeco Field in Seattle Washington. The Mariners won 4-1. Wilson came back fro

Years With Team: 1994-2005
Stats With Team: .262 BA, 88 HR, 508 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 34
162-Game Average: .262 BA, 11 HR, 66 RBI
Accolades: 1x All-Star

From 1994-2005, the Mariners had many of their franchise's most memorable moments. Along with Edgar Martinez, Dan Wilson was one of the few constants on teams that featured Ken Griffey Jr. in his prime, as well as Randy Johnson, Alex Rodriguez and Ichiro during some of their great years.

In 1996, Wilson earned his only All-Star appearance, hitting .285 with 83 RBI.

Tampa Bay: Toby Hall

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ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 28: Toby Hall #44 of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays looks on against the Boston Red Sox on April 28, 2006 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Devil Rays defeated the Red Sox 5-2. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Ima

Years With Team: 2000-2006 
Stats With Team: .262 BA, 44 HR, 251 RBI 
Caught Stealing Percentage: 33 
162-Game Average: .262 BA, 12 HR, 69 RBI

In the short history of the Rays, formerly the Devil Rays, Toby Hall has spent by the far the most time behind the plate. Although not a great hitter, Hall quietly did his job for Tampa Bay. He put up decent numbers in his seven years with the club, peaking in 2005, when he hit .287.

St. Louis: Ted Simmons

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 2: Fans show their support for former St. Louis Cardinals player Stan Musial in between innings as the St. Louis Cardinals play against the Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium on October 2, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The The Cardinals

Years With Team: 1968-1980
Stats With Team: .298 BA, 172 HR, 929 RBI
Caught Stealing Percentage: 34
162-Game Average: .298 BA, 18 HR, 96 RBI
Accolades: 6x All-Star, 1x Silver Slugger

Ted Simmons was one of the most consistent hitting catchers of his day, batting at least .300 six times and hitting at least 20 home runs on five occasions. A true athlete, Simmons also played left and right field when necessary.

Texas: Ivan Rodriguez

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ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 29: Ivan Rodriguez #7 of the Texas Rangers walks back to the dugout against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on September 29, 2009 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1991-2002 
Stats With Team: .305 BA, 215 HR, 829 RBI 
Caught Stealing Percentage: 47 
162-Game Average: .305 BA, 24 HR, 91 RBI 
Accolades: 10x All-Star, 10x Gold Glove, 6x Silver Slugger, 1x MVP

One of the best hitting and defensive catchers of all time, Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez was perhaps the closest thing we have seen to Johnny Bench. Rodriguez started nine All-Star games as a Ranger, hit over .300 in eight consecutive seasons and took home the 1999 AL MVP.

Also as a Ranger, Rodriguez won nine straight Gold Gloves, helped the team win three division titles and even stole 25 bases one season.

Toronto: Ernie Whitt

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DUNEDIN, FL - FEBRUARY 25: Ernie Whitt of the Blue Jays poses for a portrait during the Toronto Blue Jays Photo Day at the Bobby Mattick Training Center on February 25, 2006 in Dunedin, Florida. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1977-1989 
Stats With Team: .253 BA, 131 HR, 518 RBI 
Caught Stealing Percentage: 33 
162-Game Average: .253 BA, 17 HR, 69 RBI 
Accolades: 1x All-Star

Battling against several great catchers like Johnny Bench, Ted Simmons and Gary Carter, Ernie Whitt did not receive much attention during his time with Toronto.

Whitt was the starting catcher for the Blue Jays in 10 of their first 12 seasons, hitting at least 11 home runs in eight straight seasons from 1982-1989 and driving in over 50 runs six different times.

Washington Nationals: Gary Carter

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LOS ANGELES - JULY 6: Catcher Gary Carter #8 of the Montreal Expos walks with his facemask in hand during a game against the Dodgers on July 6, 1992 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ken Levine/Getty Images)

Years With Team: 1974-1984, 1992 
Stats With Team: .269 BA, 220 HR, 823 RBI 
Caught Stealing Percentage: 35 
162-Game Average: .269 BA, 24 HR, 89 RBI 
Accolades: 7x All-Star, 3x Gold Glove, 3x Silver Slugger, Hall of Fame

From 1975-1984, there was no better catcher in the game than Gary Carter. By most accounts the best player in Expos/Nationals history, Carter was a seven-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner. He also hit at least 20 home runs eight times and led the league in RBI in 1984.