As one of the most difficult and painful positions to play, the catcher acts in tandem with the pitcher in deciding what pitches to throw, based on how many runners are on base, the score of the game, and of course, on the batter's style of hitting and batting average.
Many times the relationship between the catcher and the pitcher can be quite intimate, sporting wise; in so far as a catcher will develop such a symbiotic connection with the pitcher, as to know exactly what the pitcher is thinking and feeling at any given moment, in any given game situation.
Catchers, because of the wear and tear inflicted on their knees and back, have notoriously short careers; sometimes hampering their shots at Hall of Fame infamy; claiming only 15 of the 289 inductees, as of 2008.
In the 60 years since Major League Baseball handed out it's first Rookie of the Year honors to Don Newcombe, pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Roy Sievers left fielder for the St. Louis Browns, there have only been eight catchers honored; four of which of were given between 1968 and 1972.
Johnny Bench 1968
Cincinnati Reds/National League
It seems only fitting, that Johnny Bench, possibly the most famous, and one of the greatest ever to play the position, would be the first catcher to win the award.
Career Stats
Batting average .267
Home runs 389
RBI 1,376
Thurman Munson 1970
New York Yankees/American League
One of the most beloved players, known for his incredible toughness and durability, Thurman Munson had a brilliant career; sadly, he died in a plane crash at the age of 32.
Career Stats
Batting average .292
Hits 1,558
Home runs 113
RBI 701
Earl Williams 1971
Atlanta Braves/National League
Actually not known as a great catcher, but rather as one of the great home run hitters; for a short time, making up a pretty remarkable one-two punch with Hank Aaron.
Career Stats
Batting average .247
Home runs 138
RBI 457
Carlton Fisk 1972
Boston Red Sox/American League
A bonafide hero in the eyes of Red Sox fans, forever immortalized by a single home run hit in the 12th inning, game 6 of the 1975 World Series; the image: Fisk hopping around the first base line waving his hands and willing the ball to clear the left field pole.
Career Stats
Batting average .269
Home runs 376
RBI 1,330
Benito Santiago 1987
San Diego Padres/National League
The second Puerto Rican to win the honor (Orlando Cepeda was the first, in 1958). Santiago holds the record for the longest hitting streak by a rookie catcher with 34 hits. Unfortunately, this is about the time in baseball history when steroids began to emerge as an issue, and Santiago was one of the first stars to be singled out. Incidentally, the AL Rookie of the Year for 1987? Mark McGwire.
Career Stats
Batting average .263
Home runs 217
RBI 920
Sandy Alomar, Jr. 1990
Cleveland Indians/American League
After a stellar rookie year, becoming the first rookie catcher to start an All-Star game, Alomar suffered numerous injuries over the subsequent seasons, essentially stunting a potentially great career.
Career Stats
Batting average .274
Home runs 112
RBI 588
Mike Piazza 1993
Los Angeles Dodgers/National League
12-time All-Star Piazza was good out of the gate, and never really let up. Through injuries and multiple beard and mustache incarnations, Piazza may be one of the most popular players in recent years. Piazza holds the record for most home runs by a catcher.
Career Stats
Batting average .308
Home runs 427
RBI 1,335
Geovany Soto 2008
Chicago Cubs/National League
One of the shining stars in Manager Sweet Lou Pinella's roster of Cubs, attempting to unload the monkey off the backs of a franchise that hasn't won a World Series title in over 100 years.
Career Stats (as of 2008)
Batting average .291
Home runs 26
RBI 96
All Statistical information courtesy of MLB.Com
Martin G. Wood - M.G. Wood is a writer of screenplays, film and literary reviews, and poetry. M.G. Wood can often be found ...
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