Saturday Night Five: Favorite Catchers

[sanjosefuji]

In honor of Ivan Rodriguez's retirement, I decided to list my top five favorite catchers who played during my lifetime.


Now before I get started, this list is not about who I felt was the greatest catcher... it's a list of my favorites. So don't hate... appreciate:

#1 Kurt Suzuki

It's quite simple. He's Japanese, a hard worker & a team leader, and he's on the Oakland A's.

#2 Johnny Bench

Anyone else watch Bench's saturday morning show... The Baseball Bunch?

#3 Thurman Munson

I don't remember ever watching him play... but I've wanted his rookie card for nearly three decades. It might just be the first card ever added to my wantlist.

#4 Carlton Fisk

Watching the original Pudge wave the ball fair in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series still gives me goosebumps. Amazing.

#5 Tony Pena

I couldn't find a card that captured his stance behind the plate. But if you've heard of Pena, you know what I'm talking about.

Honorable Mention: Ivan Rodriguez, Terry Steinbach, & Gary Carter

Okay, what about you?

Who are your five favorite catchers to play during your lifetime?

Enjoy the rest of your weekend... and sayonara!



More...

[sportscardrage]

Its a cool list. Fisk and Bench should be on anyone's favorite's list of catchers. I wouldn't mind see 'Dutch' Daulton in there too.

[key2win]

I dont collect baseball cards anymore. I did for 4 years when I was a kid then changed to basketball. But my favorite catcher back in the 1990s was Mike Piazza.

[ocanseco55]

I love the Steinbach mention!

[jwgreen68]

Yadier Molina, Johnny Bench, Thurmon Munson, Benito Santiago and Darrell Porter would be my favorites.

[OriolesFan]

Smokey Burgess, Yogi Berra, Gus Triandos, & Andy "Etch....." pop into my mind from the 1950's, 1960's, & 1970's.

[ucffans]

I've always been a sucker for the "Good Guys". You know, the ones who sign autographs, do charity work, and appreciate the fans and the job they have the opportunity to play.

1. J.R. Towles (he signed autographs for my son, took pictures, and talked with him - then was sent back to the minors.
2. Darren Daulton (best Phillies catcher, still signs autographs, and certainly has a flakey side)
3. Wilson Ramos (how can you not appreciate what this guy went through. He has always been very nice and we sat next to his mom at a spring training practice.
4. Johnny Bench ( I watched his show as a kid)
5. Gary Carter (great player, my wife met him at a card show - I was working)

[ucffans]

You could also put together a pretty decent list of guys who came up as catchers but were moved real early in their careers like:

Dale Murphy
Craig Biggio
Paul Konerko
Jayson Werth
Soon to be Bryce Harper

[sanjosefuji]

Its a cool list. Fisk and Bench should be on anyone's favorite's list of catchers. I wouldn't mind see 'Dutch' Daulton in there too.

Wow... haven't heard "Dutch" in a long time. He was definitely a fan favorite.

[sanjosefuji]

Greatest hitting catcher I've ever had the pleasure to watch!

I dont collect baseball cards anymore. I did for 4 years when I was a kid then changed to basketball. But my favorite catcher back in the 1990s was Mike Piazza.

[sanjosefuji]

Last year (or maybe it was in 2010), I went to one of the games and they had the a special awards ceremony honoring the greatest OAKLAND Athletics... and Steinbach was their catcher. It was cool to see so many old school A's there in attendance.

I love the Steinbach mention!

[sanjosefuji]

Nice call with Santiago and his gun... and Porter and his glasses.

Yadier Molina, Johnny Bench, Thurmon Munson, Benito Santiago and Darrell Porter would be my favorites.

[sanjosefuji]

Somebody on my blog left Etchebarren's name... and I found his autograph on Ironclad Authentics' site for $5:

Andy Etchebarren Signed 8x10 w/multiple insc : Baltimore Orioles

Smokey Burgess, Yogi Berra, Gus Triandos, & Andy "Etch....." pop into my mind from the 1950's, 1960's, & 1970's.

[sanjosefuji]

Very creative list! Glad to see Daulton's name again in this thread.

I've always been a sucker for the "Good Guys". You know, the ones who sign autographs, do charity work, and appreciate the fans and the job they have the opportunity to play.

1. J.R. Towles (he signed autographs for my son, took pictures, and talked with him - then was sent back to the minors.
2. Darren Daulton (best Phillies catcher, still signs autographs, and certainly has a flakey side)
3. Wilson Ramos (how can you not appreciate what this guy went through. He has always been very nice and we sat next to his mom at a spring training practice.
4. Johnny Bench ( I watched his show as a kid)
5. Gary Carter (great player, my wife met him at a card show - I was working)

[sanjosefuji]

Hey... where's Kung Fu Panda?

You could also put together a pretty decent list of guys who came up as catchers but were moved real early in their careers like:

Dale Murphy
Craig Biggio
Paul Konerko
Jayson Werth
Soon to be Bryce Harper