15 Comments
User's avatar
kMp's avatar

Yogi Berra visited my hometown back in 1975, when I was just seven years old, and had dinner at my Nana & Pop-Pop’s house. I have a few pics of Yogi’s visit somewhere, which I really should find~

Ben Johnson's avatar

Dude come on, this was an absolutely perfect list before you boneheadely (yes I made a new word) put Berra ahead of Bench. Seriously. Zero effort to back this up.

Dean Ciriaco's avatar

I actually think I laid out why I did it. The stats are not that far off. Take playoffs into account and Berra gets huge leg up.

Ben Johnson's avatar

Bench’s defense far outweighs Berra. Not even close.

Bench also led a dynasty for a decade and was the best player and leader on those teams at least half the decade. Berra was never the best player on those teams.

Bench pioneered one handed catching.

Mickey's avatar

Rewrite that last line. Berra was never the best player on his team, yet he won 3 league MVP awards while the Yanks were winning 5 consecutive WS titles. Dimaggio was at the end of his career. Mantle was just starting and not the force he would become after '55. One handed catching is your argument??

Leslie Deak's avatar

No one has more World Series rings than Berra! No question its Berra over Bench!

John Taylor's avatar

I'm not 100% sure, but I don't think catcher's gloves were hinged when Berra played. Either way, I'd argue the hinged gloves offered a lot of advantages over the big pillow.

Geo's avatar

Bill Dickey?

Kurt Young's avatar

No idea how this algorithm works, but it seems I'm not the only one served this year-old post. Maybe you've explained your thinking on the Negro League players in another list, but it's insane to not even mention Josh Gibson.

Scott Boley's avatar

You’ll be adding Cal Raleigh’s name before he’s done

Leslie Deak's avatar

I know Salvy Perez isn't done yet, but he should be on that list!! World Series MVP and I think his HR totals are very high up in the catchers' rankings!

Matt Batballo ⚾️'s avatar

Where is tomas nido!?!?

John M's avatar

Buster Posey caught Matt Cain’s perfect game and two no hitters. I can’t find that Cochrane caught any. Ask a pitcher who threw one if it makes a difference.

Charlie J's avatar

Bill Dickey?

Just asking. I married into a Yankee family. My father in law saw Dickey play and eventually got around to telling Yogi “I always thought Dickey was the best but I have to say you were”. He said Yogi smiled when he said that.