Readers Respond: Who Are The Best Catchers Of All-Time

The best catchers in big-league history were among its best athletes, with durability and ability. Who do you think is the best of all-time? Baseball guide Scott Kendrick's rankings (click the link for the full list):

1. Yogi Berra; 2. Johnny Bench; 3. Roy Campanella; 4. Mickey Cochrane; 5. Mike Piazza

Who's the best on your list?

Top 10 catchers

Johnny Bench Yogi Berra Carlton Fisk Josh Gibson Joe Mauer Mike Piazza Buster Posey Mickey Cochrane Yadier Molina

—Guest JBenchfan

You Make the Call

1. Johnny Bench; 2. Yogi Berra; 3. Josh Gibson; 4. Roy Campanella; 5. Joe Mauer; 6. Carlton Fisk

—Guest MLBStatKing

Thurman Munson HOF

Only catcher who had three years in a row of a .300 average, 100 RBI. Piazza has done it since. Only catcher to have average over .290 not in the Hall of Fame. Played over 10 years, .373 postseason average. Captain. One tough dude.

—Guest shotzie

Thurman Munson

I have to say, I would have Munson. His life ended way too early, but boy could he play!

—Guest Robert

Not even in the next 6?

Offensive prowess alone should propel Josh Gibson to at least the top 3. More so, it is arguable that he is the greatest player ever at any position. ------- (Note from guide Scott Kendrick: Gibson never played in the major leagues, so he isn't eligible.)

—Guest Pirate_Fan_60

Lance Parrish

Maybe not the best of all-time, but he never even gets mentioned. 324 home runs, over 1,000 RBIs. 6 silver sluggers, 4 Gold Gloves, eight all-star games and arguably the best player on the 1984 championship team. This guy never even gets mentioned in Detroit when the local papers write about Tigers who are H.O.F. snubs!

—Guest scott dunn

Pudge the best of all-time

Look at his numbers. Still strong after 21 seasons. No catcher has ever had the discipline and love of the game than this young man, sure future Hall of Famer!

—Guest Frank

A writer Bill McNeil did the research

I was in on the action on doing the research and there is a book out there called the best pitcher and Gabby is in the Hall of Fame for his Homer in the globen...

—Guest Gabby Hartnett

Nope

You lost all credibility when you put ANYONE ahead of Johnny Bench, even Yogi Berra. I wonder if that's because a Yankee always has to be greatest?

—Guest Dave

Where's Thurman Munson?

Would have surpassed Bench and Berra had he lived.

—Guest Jack

Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza was one heck of a hitter. He's right up there with Bench and Pudge, Ivan Rodriguez.

—Guest jimmy c

Joe Mauer!

You're forgetting probably the best defensive and offensive catcher ever to play the game!

—Guest Me llamo Corn.

Darren Daulton

If you have Piazza and Rodriguez in the top 10, you have to put Daulton in the mix as well. Maybe not the best of the bunch, but he was a proven leader in the clubhouse.

—Guest Chris

Carter should be at least third

Gary Carter should be at least third on the list (behind Yogi Berra and Johnny Bench). Think about it, 11 time All-Star, two-time MVP, three Gold Gloves, 5 Silver Sluggers and one of the best defensive players ever behind the plate! My list: 1. Berra; 2. Bench; 3. Ivan Rodriguez (Pudge); 4. Carter. In looking at Ivan Rodriguez, 7x Silver Slugger and 14x Gold Glove, and a 14x All-Star. ... He would take third, not to mention he caught more games than Carlton Fisk lifetime!

—Guest Brillo

Guarddog's rankings

1) Josh Gibson 2a) Roy Campnella 2b) Johnny Bench 4) Bill Dickey 5) Mickey Cochrane 6) Yogi Berra 7) Del Crandall 8) Carlton Fisk 9) Cary Carter 10) Ray Schalk

—Guest Tim Ford