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WeWillScrewItUp
10-26-2013, 07:54 PM
Sitting here having a drunk conversation with HereComesTheSpiral and he says Yadier Molina is the best catcher ever. What are y'all's thoughts on this?
Jacksondevildog
10-26-2013, 07:57 PM
He's up there, but you have to list Bench, Pudge, and Fisk ahead of Yadier right now. Fisk is the only one that is a question on my list. He had a very long career. Unusually long for a catcher.
bully99
10-26-2013, 08:02 PM
Johnny Bench is best all around in my memory going back to late 60's. Pudge and Pudge are right behind.
Will James
10-26-2013, 08:04 PM
Bench or Pudge. Yadi could enter the discussion but he has to retain this offense for a while to get there
Dawg61
10-26-2013, 08:06 PM
Katy Perry? Oh thought you said catcher's mitt
BrunswickDawg
10-26-2013, 08:07 PM
Molina is up there, but Fisk and Bench created the modern catcher. There are 1 or 2 every generation that have impact like Yadi - Cochran, Berra, Munson, Bench, Fisk - and as much as I hate to admit (being a Braves fan) Piazza.
Jacksondevildog
10-26-2013, 08:09 PM
Good call on Munson and Piazza. Both were terrific. Piazza revolutionized the position, offensively, as a catcher. Roy Campanella and Gary Carter should also be on the list.
Will James
10-26-2013, 08:10 PM
Mauer and Yadi both came into the league in 2004. Yadi clearly is the better defensive catcher but Mauer has a career 44 WAR to Yadi's 29.

I think it's closer than that but if take Mauers career over his so far. Molina has the recent edge.
Dawg61
10-26-2013, 08:10 PM
Molina is up there, but Fisk and Bench created the modern catcher. There are 1 or 2 every generation that have impact like Yadi - Cochran, Berra, Munson, Bench, Fisk - and as much as I hate to admit (being a Braves fan) Piazza.

What's our ranking based off of? Defense? Offense? Both? Piazza was a terrible defensive catcher but the best offensive one. Buster Posey has two rings already but he splits time at 1st.
MsStateBaseball
10-26-2013, 08:22 PM
Johnny Bench hands down.
WeWillScrewItUp
10-26-2013, 08:26 PM
I'm talking calling a game, being the "General" on the field, and offensive production.
Jacksondevildog
10-26-2013, 08:28 PM
Then it's Pudge Rodriguez.
BrunswickDawg
10-26-2013, 08:31 PM
What's our ranking based off of? Defense? Offense? Both? Piazza was a terrible defensive catcher but the best offensive one. Buster Posey has two rings already but he splits time at 1st.

Think of impact on how the game is played overall and how the manager approaches the line up. If a catcher changes any of those approaches, then he ranks pretty high. But, just like any other position to figure out who is the best you have to look at both - or if they changed the way the position is played. Mickey Cochran was the first catcher to provide offense; Berra caught a dynasty, Munson was a leader; Bench changed defense by catching one handed and he hit; Fisk played forever and hit; Piazza hit like crazy - but everyone did in the PED era, Pudge Rodriguez and Molina did it all. That is the thing about baseball, each generation impacts the game and molds it in a new way. You can compare it, but there are so many variables that no one can ever settle the argument.
Dawg61
10-26-2013, 08:35 PM
Buster Posey has 2 rings and a MVP in 4 years service time. Take him off the Giants and they don't win either WS. That said I give the nod to Molina. He is the leader of the Cards.
It_Could_Happen
10-26-2013, 08:36 PM
Sitting here having a drunk conversation with HereComesTheSpiral and he says Yadier Molina is the best catcher ever. What are y'all's thoughts on this?

What about my boy varitek?
Will James
10-26-2013, 08:41 PM
What about my boy varitek?

http://mrwgifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Ray-Liotta-Laughing-In-Goodfellas-Gif.gif
WeWillScrewItUp
10-26-2013, 09:08 PM
What about my boy varitek?

You know I'm a Varitek fan but I'm talking best ever little buddy.
BrunswickDawg
10-26-2013, 09:16 PM
I'll say this about Varitek - he may have been the best college catcher of the last 30 years. I saw him play at Tech a few times and he could dominate the game on O and D.
Red Sox Dawg
10-26-2013, 09:20 PM
Bench, no question.
Barkman Turner Overdrive
10-26-2013, 09:21 PM
Bruce Benedict. (hoping he reads this and goes easy on us next year)
Tbonewannabe
10-26-2013, 09:38 PM
Yoggi was pretty good. I think he had like 3 MVPs. Not many players at any position has more than one.
Coach34
10-26-2013, 09:44 PM
Johnny Bench is best all around in my memory going back to late 60's. Pudge and Pudge are right behind.

This man knows what he is talking about
tcdog70
10-26-2013, 09:54 PM
Yoggi was pretty good. I think he had like 3 MVPs. Not many players at any position has more than one.

One of the best bad ball hitters ever
Political Hack
10-26-2013, 10:01 PM
Barry Lyons. No contest.
ScottH
10-26-2013, 10:01 PM
Sitting here having a drunk conversation with HereComesTheSpiral and he says Yadier Molina is the best catcher ever. What are y'all's thoughts on this?

Bench. Period.
LeakyD
10-26-2013, 10:05 PM
Biff Pocoroba
bully99
10-26-2013, 10:09 PM
Who was best catcher in MSU history. Russ Aldrich? Roark McDonald? Winford twins? Jim Robinson? Should have added during aluminum bat era.mid 70s
tcdog70
10-26-2013, 10:43 PM
Who was best catcher in MSU history. Russ Aldrich? Roark McDonald? Winford twins? Jim Robinson? Should have added during aluminum bat era.mid 70s

Or Frank Poteria
chainedup_Dawg
10-27-2013, 12:39 AM
Bench, period. Yadi has gotten better at the plate every year but still has a way to go. If he can get his play at the plate as good as his play behind the plate and sustain it, the discussion will be between him and Bench. Right now I'd say Bench then Pudge. I will say this about Yadi, he calls a game better than anyone I've seen and he aids young pitchers the same