Greatest Catcher in Baseball History

My guess is that's because a.) America hates the Yankees and b.) he was divorced from the Yankees for so long. For a long time, Yogi was synonymous with George Steinbrener being batshit insane. I can understand how people would forget Yogi was a great Yankee, simply b/c he spent so much time disassociating himself from the club.

 

Mike Remlinger couldn't carry Lou Merloni's jockstrap.

 

I've always believed Honorary Worcesterites count.

 

I think he did carry it at one point.

 

Burkett died in Worcester.

I spilled a 40 on his grave in homage.

 

Well, Merloni's carrying Nomar's so somebody has to carry Lou's.
I like the notion of you doing Ice Cube's Doughboy on the grave of Jesse Burkett.

 

1. Berra
2. Bench
3. Josh Gibson/Roy Campanella - and all the other HOFers I've never seen.
4. Ivan Rodriguez
5. Gary Carter
6. Mickey Cochrane
7. Carlton Fisk
8. Mike Piazza
9. Tony Pena
10. Bob Boone
11. Benito Santiago/Sandy Alomar Jr.


Bill Dickey and Ernie Lombardi rank no lower than seventh on this list, I'd say, judging by their stats/accomplishments. And when it comes to handling pitchers, Fisk generally got outstanding marks, certainly higher than Pudge.

And Lew Burdette certainly ranks as among the best West Virginians ever to play in the majhors, and he was a true West Virginian, not just someone born there who later moved elsewhere at a young age, like Brett, who is, by any realistic definition other than the circumstances of his place of birth, a Californian.

 

Here are who I consider the top 5 players born in West Virginia.

1. George Brett - one of the top 3 third basemen of all-time
2. Jesse Burkett - Hall of Fame oufielder who spent his final days in Worcester - career .338 batting averge
3. Bill Mazeroski - Hall of Fame second baseman
4. Wilbur Cooper - career 216-178 with a 2.89 ERA and 279 complete games
5. (tie) Lew Burdette - 203-144 with a 3.66 ERA (tie) Toby Harrah - 4-time all-star

If George Brett was born in Mexico he'd be a Mexican. But no - he was born in West Virginia. That makes him a West Virginian.

Just like Roger Clemens is a Ohioan.

 

That kind of logic makes me want to burn a couch. ;D

 

I haven't yet voted, but two points:

If I'm making the original list, Cochrane's on it.

And besides being amazingly-versatile in the field, Berra may well have been the most consistently-good bad ball hitter I ever saw. More bat-control evidence. I hate the Yankees with a passion, but Berra was a unique talent.

 

I wouldn't vote for him up against Berra and Bench -- my choice -- but how do you make a list of great catchers and not include Piazza, one of the greatest offensive catchers in the history of baseball, but include Roberto Clemente?