The 10 Greatest Catchers in Baseball History, Part 2

OK. We left off with the following as the ten best catchers in baseball history:

Johnny Bench, Yogi Berra, Buck Ewing, Mike Piazza, Ivan Rodriguez, Bill Dickey, Mickey Cochrane, Gary Carter, Carlton Fisk, and Roy Campanella.

Now to figure out what order they belong in.

Subjectively, I have a feeling it would look something like this: Bench, Berra, Carter, Fisk, Pudge, Dickey, Cochrane, Piazza, Campanella, Ewing.

1. Johnny Bench

Bench is almost certainly the greatest catcher in the history of baseball. His only competition for most dominant defensively at the position is Pudge Rodriguez, who was nowhere near as impressive offensively. The only man who was absolutely a better batter, Mike Piazza, could not hope to approximate his defense.

I cannot imagine anyone would argue with my assertion that Johnny Bench, with his 10 Gold Gloves and MVPs, was the best behind the dish. 

2. Yogi Berra

There's really not that much separating Berra, Dickey, Carter and Fisk. I am basically separating them due to factors that don't show up in their career lines. Yogi gets the second spot due to his postseason record, and his part in one of a series of obnoxious Yankees dynasties. As well as his personality.

3. Gary Carter

He's one of the most underrated players in baseball history. It may shock you to learn that his career total of 121 WARP is barely second all-time to Johnny Bench among catchers. He played in the NL during an era dominated more by pitching then by offense, and was, after Bench, the best defensive catcher in his league.

He had five seasons where he was worth at least 10 runs above a replacement player, something no one else in the top 10 was able to do (Bench came in next with four). 

4. Carlton Fisk

Superficially, Dickey has shinier numbers and at his very best was probably better than Fisk. Still, Fisk played forever and he did it against black people, so too bad for Bill Dickey.

5. Bill Dickey

6. Ivan Rodriguez

Quite possibly the greatest defensive catcher of all time. Although he has been constantly overrated at bat, due to a shiny batting average and an MVP award he didn't deserve. If he drew 50 walks a year, he would probably already be the greatest in history. As it stands, he only ranks this low because his career is not yet over.

What follows is a projected line, assuming he continues to decline at his current rate, and hangs around in part time duty until he is 40, averaging 350 at bats a year.

H-2905, D-622, T-54, HR-327, R-1441, RBI-1422, SB-119 .299/.338/.474/.812

All this with a projected career WARP total of 117. This would probably put him at least at number three. He may end up higher if he plays more (a distinct possibility).

7. Mike Piazza

As good as he is at the plate, that's how bad he is behind it. If he played even league-average defense, he would unquestionably be the greatest catcher in baseball history.

8. Roy Campanella

9. Mickey Cochrane

Mickey retired at the age of 34. Had he played until the age of 38, he would probably be ranked above Gary Carter. He was as good as anyone when he played, he just didn't do it for long enough.

10. Buck Ewing

The last man to make the cut.