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Best Athletes

Gabby Hartnett

After Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra (obvious greats), it's all opinion as to who the best catchers of all time are! A catcher has to have insane defensive prowess and focus to be considered great. Not surprisingly, several of the famous baseball catchers listed here are also among the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players ever</a>&nbsp;in the MLB. The best baseball catchers on this list are from different teams, but all have impressive stats that back up their legacy.&nbsp;Who are the greatest catchers of all time? This list includes some of the most talented, legendary catchers in Major League Baseball history. From Yogi Berra to Thurman Munson, the players listed here were exemplary in their abilities. Vote for the MLB catchers you think are the best, vote down any you don't think deserve a spot and certainly, if any great catchers are missing, add them. You can also rerank this list your way.What makes a great catcher? It's more than just defensive prowess. A catcher's responsibilities are many. They've got to be able to work well with any and all <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-famous-baseball-starting-pitchers-who-play-professionally/reference" target="_blank">starting pitchers</a>, calling a good game for them so they can concentrate on getting batters out. Offensively, the greatest catchers of all time were able to contribute to their team's wins with the bat: They could hit. Typically, the MLB's best catchers might not have the speed that some of the outfielders do, but they've often got the power.Need proof? Just look at some of the names listed here. Yes, Bench, Fisk and certainly Mike Piazza all qualify, having had hundreds of home runs during their esteemed MLB careers.

Hank Aaron

This greatest baseball players list represents the combined lists of baseball fans everywhere. Anyone can make their own list of the best ballplayers ever to play the game, making this crowdranking a true consensus on who&#39;s the best baseball player of all time.

So who is the greatest baseball player of all time? There are plenty of amazing <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">top MLB players</a>&nbsp;to choose from. Are you a New York Yankees fan? Then you&#39;ll really like this list with Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and more repping your team. The same goes for fans of Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Bob Gibson, Stan Musial, Barry Bonds and everyone else who should be considered among the greatest baseball players of all time.&nbsp;

Baseball

Pee Wee Reese

This list of the greatest shortstops of all time includes some of the most iconic, <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best baseball players</a> in Major League Baseball history. These MLB shortstops gave everything they had on the field and with their bats, to help their respective teams win games. Who do you believe is the greatest shortstop to ever play the game? Vote for the players you like the most, vote down any you don't think deserve the honor. Also, feel free to rerank this list - your order can affect the overall player order.Any list of the greatest shortstops to ever play the game should include the late, great Honus Wagner. The Flying Dutchman is one of the best to ever take the field, and his speed and hitting abilities are legendary. With a record eight batting titles, Wagner is not only one of the best shortstops, he's also one of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">greatest hitters</a> in baseball history. In terms of modern-era shortstops, names like Derek Jeter and Cal Ripken, Jr. come to mind almost instantly. Who gets a top 10 spot? That's for you to decide with your votes. And while you're at it, you might want to cast your vote for the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest throwing arms of all time</a>!

Vladimir Guerrero

A list of the best <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/list/hispanic-mlb-players/ranker-baseball?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">Hispanic baseball players</a>. Hispanic baseball players have been interwoven in the fabric of Major League Baseball for years. They've been some of the greatest, well known names in baseball history. There are a bunch of Hall of Fame players on this list, who are rightfully enshrined in Cooperstown and are considered some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time">greatest players of all time</a>. The 1960s was when the first big wave of Hispanic players hit the big leagues. From this batch are some of the greatest Hispanic players of all time. Roberto Clemente, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda and a slew of others made it normal for the notoriously MLB teams to mine the unchartered Latin American baseball waters. Due to the success of these players, Hispanic players began to populate many team's rosters.Over the past few decades, Latino players have dominated the big leagues. These days, you're likely to see a huge percentage of superstars and future Hall of Famers like Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, David Ortiz and the greatest relief pitcher of all time, Mariano Rivera. The number of Hispanic ballplayers on MLB teams has grown throughout the years and Hispanic players dominate many of the baseball rosters, from the big level down through the minor leagues.&nbsp;This is the list of the best Hispanic baseball players. This list can include all time greats and today's superstars. The one thing they have in common is that they're considered the best Hispanic players. If you notice someone is missing from this list, feel free to add them. Vote or re-rank this list according to who you think are the best Hispanic baseball players.

Clayton Kershaw

Who do you think should make the list of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-current-nba-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best current players</a> in baseball? Ranked by fans, critics, and <a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/list-of-famous-sports-analysts/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">sports analysts</a>, this list includes the best current MLB players in all positions, from rookies to veteran&nbsp;pros. Vote for those you believe to be the best current baseball players in order to move them up the list, or click &quot;rerank&quot; to customize an order of your own.The best MLB players are those who have consistently proven their talent on the field. From expert pitchers to top <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/greatest-shortstops-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">short stops</a>, these great athletes have made a name for themselves by being better than the rest. Who is the best player in baseball? There's sure to be plenty of debate. But the only way to get your voice heard (and make sure your choice for the best player in MLB makes it to the top of the list) is to vote! Remember, the guys on this list have be current players&nbsp;who play in the league today. Though they may soon be considered some of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best baseball players</a> of all time, for now, we're ranking who is best on the field right now!

Who are the greatest pitchers of all time? Trying to decide who is the absolute greatest MLB pitcher ever is challenging&nbsp;to say the least, but it can be done -&nbsp;right here. This list includes some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best Major League Baseball players of all time</a>, but it is by no means complete. Add anyone you think is missing, vote for your favorites, and&nbsp;re-rank this list in any order you choose. Featuring starting pitchers, players known for throwing the fastest pitches and cool curveballs, Black pitchers, left handed pitchers, and more, our rankings include&nbsp;old baseball legends and the new players currently pitching today. Who are the most famous pitchers in the world? Are your favorites in the top 25? Get your votes in, and let&#39;s see who&#39;s the best of the best.

Each of the excellent baseball pitchers on this list can&nbsp;arguably&nbsp;be called the &quot;best,&quot; but they&#39;re all names every baseball fan should know. Some were known for their incredible fastballs; others, including Sandy Koufax and Bert Blyleven, are known for being some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-curveball-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest curveball pitchers of all time</a>. These are the famous pitchers who managed, with sheer skill, to outwit and beat some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too.

If you&#39;re interested in some modern-era baseball phenoms, check out this list of the <a href="/list/best-current-mlb-pitchers/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">best current MLB pitchers</a>, and vote for the current players you think deserve the top spots.

Mike Schmidt

The best hitters in baseball history are those who hold the all-time hitting records in Major League Baseball, change the game as we know it, and are amongst the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a>. These sluggers dominated during their respective eras and captivated audiences at the same time. If you were to pick a top hitter for your all-time top baseball fantasy team, you'd be silly not to select these best baseball hitters as soon as possible.Pete Rose, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron and Stan Musial all hold the top spots among the MLB all time hits, with Rose leading the pack at 4,256 over his career. Rose finished his career in 1986 and his record has withstood&nbsp;the time since.But the best hitters cannot be defined by the number of career hits alone. On that stat,&nbsp;Babe Ruth, arguably the best baseball hitter of all time, would rank in the 40s. Ruth&nbsp;holds top numbers for his home runs, slugging percentage, runs batted in and on-base&nbsp;percentage&nbsp;stats. Lou Gehrig is another who'd fall into that category with his major league records for the most grand slams -&nbsp;a figure since topped by a great modern slugger, Alex Rodriguez.So we're left with a conundrum. Do we deem those great players from yesteryear, like Willie Mays, Ted Williams and Shoeless Joe Jackson&nbsp;the best baseball hitters of all time? Do we give some love to&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ranker.com/list/best-current-baseball-players/alecdom" target="_blank">current top baseball players</a>&nbsp;like Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols and Derek Jeter? Tell us how you feel by voting for the best hitters in baseball history below!

Jeff Bagwell

Who are the greatest first basemen of all time? From the incomparable talents of Lou Gehrig to the stunning abilities of modern-era players like Albert Pujols, this list includes some of the best Major League Baseball first basemen, and really, some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players</a> to ever play the game. Who is your top choice? Be sure to vote, and you can also rerank this list in any order you want. 

The outstanding first basemen listed here all have similar abilties: They are versatile, incredibly quick and, quite often these days, the first baseman is also a wicked power hitter. Not surprisingly, several of the players on this list could easily be considered among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too. This list is full of excellent, talented first bag guys with great power numbers.

If you're a huge baseball fanatic, you might enjoy these lists of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-third-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest third basemen of all time</a>, the <a href="/crowdranked-list/all-time-best-shortstops" target="_blank">all-time best shortstops</a> and the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest pitchers of all time</a>, too.

Bobby Grich

The greatest 2nd basemen of all time include some of the most iconic names in MLB history. Many of the names on this list are famous players who dominated during the pre-1950s era of Major League Baseball, like Rogers Hornsby and Jackie Robinson, but a few modern-era players like Joe Morgan and Ryne Sandberg are also considered among the best. These guys are the best second basemen in the league and make some of the toughest plays look so incredibly easy, with excellent fielding skills. Who do you think deserves the honor of the best 2nd baseman of all time? Vote for your favorite second baseman and rerank this list any way you like. The greatest second basemen of all time were slap hitters that got on base and set the table for their team. In recent years, the trend has shifted towards power, and that's changing the face of the 2-bagger dramatically. Like some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-first-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest first basemen ever</a>, these 2nd base players were true leaders on their respective teams. From Joe Morgan and Jackie Robinson (arguably two of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players</a> ever) to modern players like Cano and Pedroia, every player listed here played (or plays) a key role for their team and many are <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">power hitters</a>.

Ron Cey

The greatest third basemen of all time include some veteran MLB players, many of whom are considered among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players ever</a>. These are the guys who played the hot corner like a boss. They demonstrated excellent fielding abilities and contributed to the betterment of their teams with ease. Who do you believe is the best third baseman ever? Vote for your choices, vote down any players you don't think deserve the honor and of course, re-rank this list in any order you want.A great 3rd baseman will, of course, have an excellent fielding percentage, and the true greats also manage to be excellent at both defense and offense. Need examples? How about George Brett, arguably one of the third base greats - but he's also one of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too (the same can be said for Mike Schmidt, among others). And can anyone dare argue that the brilliant &quot;Human Vacuum Cleaner,&quot; Brooks Robinson, isn't one of the greatest third basemen of all time? Enjoy voting for the players you believe are the best third baggers ever to play the game.

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George Foster

Who are the greatest left-fielders of all time? Baseball's best left field players include some amazing legends of the game, with names like Ted Williams, Stan Musial and Carl Yastrzemski. They are without question among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a>, contributing to their respective teams while carving out their own Major League Baseball legacy. The mixture of power and average sets the left fielder apart from the other positions.

Which left-field players do you think deserve the top spots on this list? Vote them up, and be sure to re-rank this list as well (your rankings to affect the overall order of the CrowdRanked list).

Many of the left field players listed here have some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest throwing arms of all time</a> (they have to, given the position), and without a doubt most are also included on any distinguished list of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>, too (Ted Williams? Stan Musial? Enough said).

Playing left field can be tricky. First of all, you absolutely must assume that ever single ball hit to the third baseman and the shortstop is going to be missed. You have got to be ready at all times to back up your teammates in the event they make an error. All of these players did (or do) that and more.

Frank Robinson

What names come to mind when you think of the greatest right-fielders of all time? This list includes some of the best to ever play the game, including such Major League Baseball legends as Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson. This is, quite simply, an amazing list of power, defensive prowess, great arms, speed and high averages. Right field really does have it all. Vote for your top choices, vote down any right-fielders you don't believe deserve a spot on this list and re-rank these players in any order you like.

Some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a> are, not surprisingly, also excellent right-fielders. These players managed to combine excellent hitting abilities with <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">stellar throwing arms</a> - basically a dream combination for any MLB player (or coach, for that matter).

What does it take to play right field? The best right-fielders listed here were outstanding defensive players. Some might believe that right field is an "easy" position, but it really isn't - you've got to be really fast and you've got to have a rocket of an arm. 

For more great baseball voting, check out these lists of the greatest <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-left-fielders-of-all-time" target="_blank">left-fielders ever, as well as the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-first-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">first</a>, <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-2nd-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">second</a> and <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-third-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">third basemen of all time</a>.

Jack Morris

The best baseball players not in the hall of fame are here on this list, though the <a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/2020-baseball-hall-of-fame-ballot/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">2020 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot</a> has&nbsp;room for some of these stars.&nbsp;In order to be considered as slighted by the baseball hall of fame, a player must be non-active and have had the ability to appear on the hall of fame ballot at least once. Some of these men are considered to be among the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time">greatest baseball players of all time</a>, yet remain off of the &quot;official&quot; list of the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best MLB players</a> ever at the baseball hall of fame in Cooperstown.

What keeps a player out of the baseball hall of fame? Some of these players- like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire- have been involved in PED (performance enhancing drug) scandals, others broke the cardinal rule of not betting on the sport (Pete Rose), and still others were involved in a baseball player scandal, like Shoeless Joe Jackson who is said to have contributed to his team throwing the World Series. Some of the best baseball players are simply not on the list because they haven&#39;t yet acquired the 75% vote necessary for induction.

Who should be in the baseball hall of fame? What top baseball players are not in the hall of fame? Who are the best players not in the baseball hall of fame? These are the questions addressed here in the list of the greatest baseball players not in the hall of fame. If your favorite player isn&#39;t on the list, make sure to add them so others can agree or disagree.

If you&#39;re keeping track of the <a href="http://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players">best current baseball players</a> make sure to check on that list and vote for your favorite baseball all-star.

Jeff Francoeur

This list of the greatest throwing arms of all time includes some legendary MLB players known for being true flamethrowers from the outfield. These baseball players might be way out in the outfield, but they get (or got) a ton of attention for making some incredibly exciting defensive plays, via assists. Which Major League Baseball players do you think had the best throwing arms ever?Vote, and be sure to re-rank this list your way, too.MLB players with the greatest throwing arms ever had cannons, keeping runners who were thinking about stealing bases in place, because they knew the chances they'd get thrown out were very, very high. The ballplayers listed here are without a doubt some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best baseball players</a> ever. Every single one of them racked up incredible assist numbers, combining sheer strength with athleticism and accuracy. If baseball's your thing, you'll definitely want to check out these lists of the greatest <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-first-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">first</a>, <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-2nd-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">second</a> and <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-third-basemen-of-all-time" target="_blank">third basemen of all time</a>.&nbsp;

Chili Davis

Who are the best all-time designated hitters? These guys are sent to the plate to hack away, and that's just what they do, time and time again. The greatest designated hitters of all time include some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">best baseball players</a> in history. These DH players are true game changers, stepping up to the plate and giving it their all. Vote for the MLB designated hitters that you think are the best ever, vote down any you don't think deserve a spot here and rerank this list of players in any order you want.

The designated hitter is perhaps one of the most specialized positions in baseball. These are the players who bat for the pitchers. Each team gets just one DH, and, interestingly enough, the DH rule was only adopted by the American League (that may change, eventually).

Designated hitters, especially those on this list, are brought in to up a team's offense with more hits and (hopefully) more runs. Some of the greats listed here are among <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">the best hitters in baseball history</a> (Edgar Martinez, anyone?) and some players are included on this list of <a href="/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players" target="_blank">the best current baseball players</a>, too.

Ken Griffey, Jr.

Who are the greatest centerfielders of all time? Looking at this list, which includes some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players</a> ever to play the game, it's hard not to be awe struck by the incredible defensive talent. On top of that, nearly all of the outstanding centerfielders here are also among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in MLB history</a>. Vote for the players that you believe were the best center fielders ever, and add any that might be missing. Also, you can re-rank this list to your liking.

A great center fielder is without a doubt one of the premiere defensive players on any baseball team. They must be incredibly alert and athletic, because they've got a lot of territory to protect. In short, the centerfielder gets a lot of action. It's not just speed, though: The best center fielders also possess great arm strength and accuracy. 

Many of the best centerfielders in Major League Baseball history (past and present) have some of the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-throwing-arms-of-all-time" target="_blank">strongest throwing arms in baseball</a>, ever. Sure, they make the routine plays that get outs for their teams, but they also astound occasionally with incredible, spectacular catches.

John Franco

The greatest relief pitchers of all time include some of the <a href="/list/best-current-mlb-pitchers/ranker-baseball" target="_blank">best current MLB players</a>, as well as some legends who are already in the baseball hall of fame. What do you think: Is Mariano Rivera the best relief pitcher in baseball history? Vote for the players you think deserve the top honor, and vote down any that you don't think are worthy. Also, rerank this list in any order you want.

Here's the thing about a really great relief pitcher: They are golden. They really are, because if you find a great team that's performing extremely well, during the regular or the post-season, the chances are very good that they've got an ace relief pitcher at the end of the rotation. All that work, all those runs accrued, mean absolutely nothing if things fall apart in the ninth inning. A great closer seals the deal, period.

If you want to vote some more, why not head over and decide who you think is the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-curveball-pitchers-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest curveball pitcher</a> or the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hittters in baseball history</a>, too?

John Smoltz

The best starting pitchers in baseball history have one vital quality in common: their ability to win. There are so many different ways to define a great pitcher: pitch velocity, outstanding command of their pitch locations and can have ridiculous movement on their breaking stuff. The best starting pitchers have a special quality that makes them more dominant than their contemporaries. They have the rare ability to reach back and get a key out when it's absolutely necessary. Many baseball fans love a starting pitcher who can throw in the high-90s and even low-100s. Throughout his 27-year career, Nolan Ryan hit those high-water marks. The pitcher nicknamed the Ryan Express is widely considered one of the best power pitchers of all time alongside Bob Gibson, Pedro Martinez and a few others. On the opposite side sits pitchers like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine from the successful Atlanta Braves teams from the '90s. These pitchers were able to make up for their lack of pitch power by having arguably the best pitch placement in baseball history.Here is your opportunity to vote on which starting pitcher can be considered the best in baseball history.This Ultimate List will determine by your vote who can be considered the best starting pitcher of all time.

This list is composed of the fastest MLB&nbsp;players of all time, ranked by overall speed and talent level. The MLB&nbsp;measures straight-line speed with modern day analytics, as well as quickness, lateral agility, and many other athletic traits. However, speed in the MLB isn't as focused on the numbers, and is instead simply quantified by the jaw-dropping speed-related feats these MLB players perform on a nightly basis. Due to top-level speed, many of the fastest MLB players are also among the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest MLB players of all time</a>.This list is a collection of which players displayed the most amazing, game-changing speed in NBA&nbsp;history. Typically, the fastest MLB&nbsp;players are center-fielders&nbsp;such as Kenny Lofton, Billy Hamilton,&nbsp;and Mike Trout, since they are often the smallest and have to cover the most ground, although certain anomalies like Alex Rodriguez&nbsp;and Wil Myers find themselves among the fastest MLB players despite being bigger and stronger.Go ahead and rank the fastest MLB players of all time, and when you're done, head on over to rank the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ranker.com/list/fastest-nba-players-of-all-time/ranker-sports" target="_blank">fastest NBA&nbsp;players of all time</a>.&nbsp;

Trevor Hoffman

Who are the best closers in baseball history? The players on this list shut down late innings with both class and style. Many of them are/were considered the best in the bullpen -- and among the <a href="/crowdranked-list/the-greatest-baseball-players-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest baseball players of all time</a>, for that matter. Some are still playing, but others have officially retired from Major League Baseball. Enjoy this list of the top closing pitchers, vote for the closers you think are the greatest to ever hit the mound, and feel free to re-rank this list in any order you see fit.

The best relief pitchers ever in baseball have one thing in common: They get the job done. When a closer takes the mound, it's crunch time. Often, the closer has the awesome responsibility of helping his team hold a narrow lead. One run could change the outcome, and the relief pitcher has to make sure no one hits him. There is a reason why closers are the highest paid relief players on the team, after all.

Looking for more great baseball-related lists? Cast your votes for the <a href="/crowdranked-list/top-50-current-best-baseball-players" target="_blank">top current baseball players</a>, the <a href="/crowdranked-list/greatest-designated-hitters-of-all-time" target="_blank">greatest designated hitters of all time</a> and the <a href="/crowdranked-list/best-hitters-in-baseball-history" target="_blank">best hitters in baseball history</a>.

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List of the most famous catchers, with pictures of the players when available. This list of greatest catchers is listed by popularity, so the most recognizable catchers are at the top of the list. People often debate over who the best catcher of all time is, so use this list to see who you might want to put in the running for that title. The historic catchers below may be currently active, while others have long retired from the game. Some of these players may be utility players, meaning they didn't always play catcher during their time in the MLB.Examples of items on this list include Mike Piazza and Yogi Berra. This list answers the questions, "Who are the <a class="edS-cl" href="https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/top-25-greatest-catcher_s-of-all-time?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword">best catchers of all time</a>?" and "Who are the greatest MLB catchers?"

Best Baseball Catchers | List of the Greatest Baseball Catchers

List of Famous Baseball Catchers

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Mike Piazza

Michael Joseph Piazza (; born September 4, 1968) is a former American professional baseball catcher who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1992 to 2007. He played most notably for the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers, while also having brief stints with the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and Oakland Athletics. A 12-time All-Star and 10-time Silver Slugger Award winner at catcher, Piazza produced strong offensive numbers at his position; in his career, he recorded 427 home runs—a record 396 of which were hit as catcher—along with a .308 batting average and 1,335 runs batted in (RBIs).
Piazza was drafted by the Dodgers in the 1988 MLB draft as a favor from Tommy Lasorda to Piazza's father. Initially a first baseman, Piazza converted to catcher in the minor leagues at Lasorda's suggestion to improve his chances of being promoted. He made his major league debut in 1992 and the following year was named the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year and was an All-Star for the first of 10 consecutive seasons. Piazza immediately impressed with his ability to hit for power and average. His best year as a Dodger came in 1997 when he batted .362, hit 40 home runs, and had 124 RBIs, leading to a runner-up finish in voting for the NL Most Valuable Player Award. In 1998, he was traded to the Marlins and then a week later to the Mets, with whom he spent most of the remainder of his career. He helped the Mets reach the 2000 World Series, the only World Series appearance of his career. After the 2005 season, Piazza left the Mets to play one season each for the Padres and Athletics before retiring after the 2007 season.
Piazza is regarded as one of the best offensive catchers in baseball history. He had at least one RBI in 15 consecutive games for the Mets in 2000, the second-longest RBI streak ever. In 2013, the Mets inducted Piazza into the New York Mets Hall of Fame. In 2016, Piazza was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Met, receiving 83% of the vote.Piazza is owner of the Italian soccer team A.C. Reggiana 1919, which played for two seasons (2017–2018) in Serie C under his leadership before its non-registration due to continued financial troubles.

Joe Mauer

Joseph Patrick Mauer (born April 19, 1983), is an American former professional baseball catcher, designated hitter, and first baseman, who spent his entire 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Minnesota Twins. Mauer is the only catcher in MLB history to win three batting titles, and the only catcher to ever win a batting title in the American League (AL). He also won three consecutive Gold Glove Awards (2008–2010), and the 2009 AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award.

Gary Carter

Gary Edmund Carter (April 8, 1954 – February 16, 2012) was an American professional baseball catcher whose 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career was spent primarily with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets.  
Nicknamed "The Kid" for his youthful exuberance, Carter was named an All-Star 11 times, and was a member of the 1986 World Champion Mets.
Known throughout his career for his hitting and his excellent defense behind the plate, Carter made a major contribution to the Mets' World Series championship in 1986, including a 12th-inning single against the Houston Astros which won Game 5 of the NLCS and a 10th-inning single against the Boston Red Sox to start the fabled comeback rally in Game 6 of the World Series.  He is one of only four people ever to be named captain of the Mets, and he had his number retired by the Expos.After retiring from baseball, Carter coached baseball at the college and minor-league level. 
In 2003, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Carter was the first Hall of Famer whose plaque depicts him as a member of the Montreal Expos.

Buster Posey

Gerald Dempsey "Buster" Posey III (born March 27, 1987) is an American professional baseball catcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. Posey has also filled in at first base for the Giants.
Posey was born in Leesburg, Georgia. He played four sports in high school; when playing baseball, he excelled at hitting and pitching. He attended Florida State University, where he began playing the catcher and first base positions. He won the Golden Spikes Award in 2008 and was selected by the Giants with the fifth overall pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Posey made his major league debut on September 11, 2009. After starting the 2010 season in the minor leagues, he was called back up to the major leagues in May. With the presence of then full-time catcher Bengie Molina, Posey played first base when originally called up to the majors, but became the Giants' regular catcher at the end of June when Molina was traded to the Texas Rangers, the team the Giants later faced in the World Series.
As a rookie, he finished with a .305 batting average, 18 home runs, and 67 runs batted in. He was named the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year. He caught every inning of the playoffs as the Giants won the 2010 World Series. In 2011, Posey missed most of the year after he was severely injured in a collision with Scott Cousins at home plate.
Posey returned from his injury in 2012 and posted a .336 batting average to win the 2012 NL batting title. He became the second San Francisco Giant to win the batting title and was named the NL Most Valuable Player for 2012. He won his second World Series that year as the Giants swept the Detroit Tigers in four games. In 2013, Posey signed a franchise record eight-year, $167 million contract extension with the Giants. He won his third World Series the following year as the Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals. In 2016, he won his first Gold Glove award after an excellent defensive season.

Yadier Molina

Yadier Benjamin Molina (Spanish pronunciation: [ʝaˈdjeɾ moˈlina]; born July 13, 1982), nicknamed "Yadi", is a Puerto Rican professional baseball catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played his entire 16-year major league career with the Cardinals since his debut on June 3, 2004, and also for the Puerto Rican national team in four World Baseball Classic (WBC) tournaments. Widely considered one of the greatest defensive catchers of all time, Molina is the recipient of a number of accolades, including nine Rawlings Gold Gloves and six Fielding Bible Awards. A two-time World Series champion, he is a paramount figure in nine Cardinals playoff appearances and four National League (NL) pennants, and a two-time silver medalist with Puerto Rico. Molina bats and throws right-handed, stands 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall, and weighs 205 pounds (93 kg). 
Molina ranks second all-time among catchers with 130 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), and first among active catchers with 845 assists, 41.69% of runners caught stealing, and 55 pickoffs. He also ranks in the top 70 among catchers in history in each of fielding percentage, games played, double plays turned, and assists. As a hitter, he has accrued more than 1,900 hits, 150 home runs, and 800 runs batted in (RBI) during his career, while batting over .300 five times. Other distinctions include selection to nine MLB All-Star Games, to the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series, four fan-based Platinum Glove Awards, and one Silver Slugger Award. He is also a two-time selection to the All-WBC Tournament Team.
The product of a baseball family, Molina was born in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. His father was an amateur second baseman and the all-time hits leader in Puerto Rican baseball, and his two older brothers, Bengie and José, also developed into standout defensive catchers with lengthy MLB careers. Long before playing professionally, Molina's pitch-handling and throwing skills caught the attention of scouts. The Cardinals' fourth round selection in the 2000 MLB draft, he quickly showed one of the strongest and most accurate arms in the game after starting play in the major leagues. Having earned a reputation as a team leader throughout his career, Molina formulates fielder positioning plans and complete pitching strategies to opposing hitters.  
Initially considered a light hitter, Molina significantly improved his offense and raised his career batting average from .248 in 2007. He has appeared on five NL Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) ballots, including finishing fourth in 2012 and third in 2013. The only catcher in Cardinals history to appear in at least five postseasons, in 2006 he became just the third catcher to play in two World Series before age 25, following Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra. The major leagues' all-time leader in games caught with one team, Molina is under contract through 2020. He is considered to be a strong future candidate for the Hall of Fame. When Hurricane Maria ravaged the island of Puerto Rico in September 2017, Molina began relief efforts for victims of the catastrophe, consequently receiving the Roberto Clemente Award in 2018.

José Reyes

José Ariel Reyes Ramírez (born February 26, 1983 in Barahona, Dominican Republic) is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is not related to All-Star shortstop José Reyes.

Carlton Fisk

Carlton Ernest Fisk (born December 26, 1947), nicknamed "Pudge" and "The Commander",  is a retired Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox (1969, 1971–1980) and Chicago White Sox (1981–1993). He was the first player to be unanimously voted American League Rookie of the Year (1972). Fisk is best known for "waving fair" his game-winning home run in the 12th inning of Game 6 of the 1975 World Series.
At the time of his retirement, Fisk held the record for most home runs all-time by a catcher with 351 (since surpassed by Mike Piazza). He has held several age- or longevity-related records, including the record for most games played at the position of catcher with 2,226 (later surpassed by Iván Rodríguez). Fisk still holds the American League record for most years served behind the plate (24). Fisk was voted to the All-Star team 11 times and won three Silver Slugger Awards which is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position.
Fisk was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Johnny Bench

Johnny Lee Bench (born December 7, 1947) is an American former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Bench is a 14-time All-Star selection and a two-time National League Most Valuable Player. He was a key member of the Big Red Machine that won six division titles, four National League pennants, and two consecutive World Series championships. Known for his prowess on both offense and defense, ESPN has called him the greatest catcher in baseball history.

Bill Dickey

William Malcolm Dickey (June 6, 1907 – November 12, 1993) was an American professional baseball catcher and manager. He played in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees for 19 seasons. Dickey managed the Yankees as a player-manager in 1946 in his last season as a player.
Dickey played for the Yankees from 1928 through 1943. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, Dickey returned to the Yankees in 1946 as a player and manager. He retired after the 1946 season, but returned in 1949 as a coach, where he taught Yogi Berra the finer points of catching.
During Dickey's playing career, the Yankees went to the World Series nine times, winning eight championships. He was named to 11 All-Star Games. As a manager and coach, the Yankees won another six World Series titles. Dickey was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1954.

Mickey Cochrane

Gordon Stanley "Mickey" Cochrane (April 6, 1903 – June 28, 1962), nicknamed "Black Mike", was an American professional baseball player, manager and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers. Cochrane was considered one of the best catchers in baseball history and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.Cochrane was born in Massachusetts and was a multi-sport athlete at Boston University. After college, he chose baseball over basketball and football. He made his major league debut in 1925, having spent only one season in the minor leagues. He was chosen as the American League (AL) Most Valuable Player in 1928 and he appeared in the World Series from 1929 to 1931. Philadelphia won the first two of those World Series, but Cochrane was criticized for giving up stolen bases when his team lost the series in 1931. Cochrane's career batting average (.320) stood as a record for MLB catchers until 2009.
Cochrane's career ended abruptly after a near-fatal head injury from a pitched ball in 1937. After his professional baseball career, he served in the United States Navy in World War II and ran an automobile business. Cochrane died of cancer in 1962. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him 65th on its list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players.



Yogi Berra

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (May 12, 1925 – September 22, 2015) was an American professional baseball catcher, who later took on the roles of manager and coach. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) (1946–63, 1965), all but the last for the New York Yankees. He was an 18-time All-Star and won 10 World Series championships as a player—more than any other player in MLB history.  Berra had a career batting average of .285, while hitting 358 home runs and 1,430 runs batted in. He is one of only five players to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award three times. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.
Berra was a native of St. Louis and signed with the Yankees in 1943 before serving in the United States Navy as a gunner's mate in the Normandy landings during World War II, where he earned a Purple Heart. He made his major-league debut at age 21 in 1946 and was a mainstay in the Yankees' lineup during the team's championship years beginning in 1949 and continuing through 1962. Despite his short stature (he was 5 feet 7 inches tall), Berra was a power hitter and strong defensive catcher. He caught Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series.
Berra played 18 seasons with the Yankees before retiring after the 1963 season. He spent the next year as their manager, then joined the New York Mets in 1965 as coach (and briefly a player again). Berra remained with the Mets for the next decade, serving the last four years as their manager. He returned to the Yankees in 1976, coaching them for eight seasons and managing for two, before coaching the Houston Astros. He was one of seven managers to lead both American and National League teams to the World Series. Berra appeared as a player, coach or manager in every one of the 13 World Series that New York baseball teams won from 1947 through 1981.  Overall, he appeared in 22 World Series, 13 on the winning side.
The Yankees retired his uniform number 8 in 1972; Bill Dickey had previously worn number 8, and both catchers had that number retired by the Yankees. The club honored him with a plaque in Monument Park in 1988. Berra was named to the MLB All-Century Team in a vote by fans in 1999. For the remainder of his life, he was closely involved with the Yogi Berra Museum and Learning Center, which he opened on the campus of Montclair State University in 1998.
Berra quit school after the eighth grade. He was known for his malapropisms as well as pithy and paradoxical statements, such as "It ain't over 'til it's over", while speaking to reporters. He once simultaneously denied and confirmed his reputation by stating, "I really didn't say everything I said."

Iván Rodríguez

Iván Rodríguez Torres (born November 27, 1971), nicknamed "Pudge", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He played for the Texas Rangers (on two different tours, comprising the majority of his career), Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Washington Nationals.
Rodríguez was awarded the AL MVP award in 1999. He is widely regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of all time.
Rodríguez won the World Series with the Florida Marlins in 2003, and also played in the 2006 World Series while with the Tigers.  He is the major league career leader in putouts by catchers.  On June 17, 2009, Rodríguez set an MLB record by catching his 2,227th game, passing Carlton Fisk (coincidentally also known by the nickname "Pudge").  During his career, he had the best caught stealing percentage of any major league catcher, at 45.68%.On January 18, 2017, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown in his first year of eligibility, receiving 76% of the votes cast, and was officially inducted on July 30, 2017.

Roy Campanella

Roy Campanella (November 19, 1921 – June 26, 1993), nicknamed "Campy", was an American baseball player, primarily as a catcher. The Philadelphia native played for the Negro Leagues and Mexican League for several seasons before entering the minor leagues in 1946. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 1948. His playing career ended when he was paralyzed in an automobile accident in January 1958.Widely considered to be one of the greatest catchers in the history of the game, Campanella played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s and 1950s. After he retired as a player as a result of the accident, Campanella held positions in scouting and community relations with the Dodgers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.

Ted Simmons

Ted Lyle Simmons (born August 9, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A switch-hitter, Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals (1968–80), the Milwaukee Brewers (1981–85) and the Atlanta Braves (1986–88). Although he was often overshadowed by his contemporary, Johnny Bench, Simmons is considered one of the best hitting catchers in Major League baseball history. While he didn't possess Bench's power hitting ability, he hit for a higher batting average. A volatile competitor with an intense desire to win, Simmons once fought with teammate John Denny during a game at Busch Memorial Stadium, in the runway between the club house and the dugout.At the time of his retirement, Simmons led all catchers in career hits and doubles and ranked second in RBIs behind Yogi Berra and second in total bases behind Carlton Fisk.  He also retired with the National League record for home runs by a switch-hitter despite playing several years in the American League.  Simmons hit .300 seven different times, hit 20 home runs six times, and caught 122 shutouts, eighth-most all-time.  In 2017, he missed being elected to the Hall of Fame by one vote.

Bob Boone

Robert Raymond Boone (born November 19, 1947) is an American former catcher and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB) who was a four-time All-Star. Born in San Diego, California, Bob Boone is the son of a Major League player, the late third baseman Ray Boone, and he is the father of two Major Leaguers: former second baseman Bret Boone and former utility infielder Aaron Boone. All four family members were named All-Stars during their careers.

Craig Biggio

Craig Alan Biggio (; born December 14, 1965) is an American former second baseman, outfielder and catcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire hall of fame career from 1988 through 2007 for the Houston Astros. A seven-time National League (NL) All-Star often regarded as the greatest all-around player in Astros history, he is the only player ever to be named an All-Star at both catcher and second base. With longtime teammates Jeff Bagwell and Lance Berkman, he formed the core of the "Killer B's" who led Houston to six playoff appearances from 1997 to 2005, culminating in the franchise's first World Series appearance in 2005. At the end of his career, he ranked sixth in NL history in games played (2,850), fifth in at bats (10,876), twenty-first in hits (3,060), and seventh in runs scored (1,844). His 668 career doubles ranked fifth in major league history, and are the most ever by a right-handed hitter; his 56 doubles in 1999 were the most in the major leagues in 63 years.
Biggio, who batted .300 four times and scored 100 runs eight times, holds Astros franchise records for most career games, at bats, hits, runs scored, doubles, total bases (4,711) and extra base hits (1,014), and ranks second in runs batted in (1,175), walks (1,160) and stolen bases (414). He also holds the NL record for most times leading off a game with a home run (53), and is one of only five players with 250 home runs and 400 steals. A four-time Gold Glove Award winner who led NL second basemen in assists six times and putouts five times, he retired ranking fourth in NL history in games at second base (1,989), sixth in assists (5,448) and fielding percentage (.984), seventh in putouts (3,992) and double plays (1,153), and eighth in total chances (9,596). He was the ninth player in the 3,000 hit club to collect all his hits with one team. Biggio also led the NL in times hit by pitch five times, with his career total of 285 trailing only Hughie Jennings' 287 in major league history.
One of the most admired players of his generation, Biggio received the 2005 Hutch Award for perseverance through adversity and the 2007 Roberto Clemente Award for sportsmanship and community service. The Astros retired the number 7 in his honor the year following his retirement. Since 2008, Biggio has served as special assistant to the general manager of the Astros. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015, and is the first member of the Hall to be depicted in an Astros uniform on his plaque.

Joe Torre

Joseph Paul Torre (; born July 18, 1940) is an Italian-American professional baseball executive, serving in the capacity of Major League Baseball's (MLB) chief baseball officer since 2011.  A former player, manager and television color commentator, Torre ranks fifth all-time in MLB history with 2,326 wins as a manager.  With 2,342 hits during his playing career, Torre is the only major leaguer to achieve both 2,000 hits and 2,000 wins as a manager.  From 1996 to 2007, he was the manager of the New York Yankees and guided the team to four World Series championships.
Torre's lengthy and distinguished career in MLB began as a player in 1960 with the Milwaukee Braves, as a catcher, first baseman and third baseman.  He also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets until becoming a manager in 1977, when he briefly served as the Mets' player-manager.  His managerial career covered 29 seasons, including tenures with the same three clubs for which he played, and the Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers, until 2010.  From 1984 to 1989, he served as a television color commentator for the California Angels and NBC.  After retiring as a manager, he accepted a role assisting the Commissioner of Baseball as the executive vice president of baseball operations.
A nine-time All-Star, Torre won the 1971 National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award after leading the major leagues in batting average, hits, and runs batted in.  After qualifying for the playoffs just once while managing the Mets, Braves, and Cardinals, Torre's greatest success came as manager of the Yankees.  His clubs compiled a .605 regular season winning percentage and made the playoffs every year, winning four World Series titles, six American League (AL) pennants, and ten AL East division titles.  In 1996 and 1998, he was the AL Manager of the Year.  He also won two NL West division titles with the Dodgers for a total of 13 division titles.  In 2014, Torre was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Thurman Munson

Thurman Lee Munson (June 7, 1947 – August 2, 1979) was an American professional baseball  catcher who played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, from 1969 until his death in 1979. A seven-time All-Star, Munson had a career batting average of .292 with 113 home runs and 701 runs batted in (RBIs). Known for his outstanding fielding, he won the Gold Glove Award in three consecutive years (1973–75).
Born in Akron, Ohio, Munson was selected as the fourth pick of the 1968 MLB draft and was named as the catcher on the 1968 College Baseball All-American Team. Munson hit over .300 in his two seasons in the minor leagues, establishing himself as a top prospect. He became the Yankees' starting catcher late in the 1969 season, and after  his first complete season in 1970, in which he batted .302, he was voted American League (AL) Rookie of the Year. Considered the "heart and soul" of the Yankees, Munson was named captain of the Yankees in 1976, the team's first since Lou Gehrig. That same year, he won the AL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, making him the only Yankee to win the Rookie of the Year and MVP Awards.
As captain, Munson helped lead the Yankees to three consecutive World Series appearances from 1976 to 1978, winning championships in the latter two years. He is the first player in baseball history to be named a College Baseball All-American and then in MLB win a Rookie of the Year Award, MVP Award, Gold Glove Award, and World Series championship. He is also the only catcher in MLB postseason history to record at least a .300+ batting average (.357), 20 RBIs (22), and 20 defensive caught stealings (24).
During an off day in the summer of 1979, Munson died at age 32 while practicing landing his Cessna Citation aircraft at Akron–Canton Airport. He suffered a broken neck as result of the crash, and his cause of death was asphyxiation. The Yankees honored him by immediately retiring his uniform 15, and dedicating a plaque to him in Monument Park.

Mike Napoli

Michael Anthony Napoli (born October 31, 1981) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Indians. Up to 2013, Napoli was primarily a catcher.

Bill Freehan

William Ashley Freehan (born November 29, 1941) is an American former professional baseball player. He played his entire fifteen-year Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers. The premier catcher in the American League for several years from the 1960s into the early 1970s, he was named an All-Star in each of the eleven seasons in which he caught at least 75 games, and was the MVP runnerup with the 1968 champions for his handling of a pitching staff that included Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain, who became the first 30-game winner in the majors since 1934. 
A five-time Gold Glove Award winner, Freehan held the major league record for highest career fielding percentage (.9933) until 2002, and also the records for career putouts (9,941) and total chances (10,734) from 1975 until the late 1980s; he ranked ninth in major league history in games caught (1,581) at the end of his career. His career totals of 200 home runs and 2,502 total bases placed him behind only Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey among AL catchers when he retired.

Benito Santiago

Benito Santiago Rivera (born March 9, 1965), is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher, who played for twenty seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Although he played for ten different teams, perhaps his greatest success came with his first team, the San Diego Padres. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Santiago was considered the premier catcher in the National League (NL).

A. J. Pierzynski

Anthony John Pierzynski (; born December 30, 1976) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Minnesota Twins (1998–2003), San Francisco Giants (2004),  Chicago White Sox (2005–2012), Texas Rangers (2013), Boston Red Sox (2014), St. Louis Cardinals (2014) and Atlanta Braves (2015–2016). Pierzynski is one of only ten catchers in Major League history to reach 2,000 hits in his career.Pierzynski is known for having a strong and colorful personality, a fact he acknowledges. During his turn at the microphone following the White Sox victory parade in 2005, he thanked team personnel "for putting up with me." Former White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén summed up the situation as, "If you play against him, you hate him. If you play with him, you hate him a little less." Guillén also acknowledged Pierzynski's value to the club, despite being relatively high-maintenance: "A.J.'s been great for me. He's worth the work because he always shows up for you."

Charles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett (December 20, 1900 – December 20, 1972), nicknamed "Old Tomato Face", was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played almost his entire career in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs, from 1922 to 1940. He spent the final season of his career as a player-coach for the New York Giants in 1941. After his playing career, he continued his involvement in baseball as a coach and as a minor league manager.
Hartnett was an all-around player, performing well both offensively and defensively. Known for his strong and accurate throwing arm, he routinely led the National League's catchers in caught stealing percentage and was the first major league catcher to hit more than 20 home runs in a season. During the course of his career, he took part of some of the most memorable events in Major League Baseball history including; Babe Ruth's Called Shot during the 1932 World Series, Carl Hubbell's strike-out performance in the 1934 All-Star Game and Dizzy Dean's career-altering injury during the 1937 All-Star Game. But the greatest moment of Hartnett's career came with one week left in the 1938 season, when he hit a game-winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to put the Cubs in first place. The event, which occurred as darkness descended onto Wrigley Field, became immortalized as the Homer in the Gloamin'.Prior to Johnny Bench, Hartnett was considered the greatest catcher in the history of the National League. A six-time All-Star, he appeared in four World Series during his playing career. At the time of his retirement, Hartnett held the career records for catchers in home runs, runs batted in, hits, doubles and in most games played as a catcher. Hartnett was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.

Carlos Ruiz

Carlos Joaquín Ruiz (born January 22, 1979), nicknamed "Chooch", is a Panamanian professional baseball catcher for Chiriqui in the Panama Major League. He formerly played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Seattle Mariners. Ruiz stands 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) tall, and weighs 215 pounds (98 kg). He bats and throws right-handed.
As a seven-year-old, Ruiz resolved to play in the big leagues after both his father and grandmother died within two weeks of each other. He made his way through the Phillies farm system from 1998 until 2006, playing at each level of Minor League Baseball (MiLB). Ruiz soon fulfilled his childhood dream, making his MLB debut with the 2006 Phillies. He battled adversity in his progression through the system, including feeling homesick, a position change, and the language barrier (he spoke Spanish, while most teammates and team officials spoke English).
Ruiz spent his first full season in MLB in 2007 and remained there until he left the Mariners, electing free agency after the 2017 season. In 2008, for his strong postseason performance, including a walk-off hit, during the Phillies playoff run that concluded with victory in the 2008 World Series, he earned the nickname "Señor Octubre" (Mr. October).  Despite being one of the quietest players on the team, Ruiz was subsequently called the "heart and soul" of the Phillies; he serves as a constant source of encouragement and rebuke alike to his teammates. Over the following seasons, he was a part of the core group of players that led the Phillies to five consecutive playoff appearances, from 2007 until 2011.
Ruiz had his best season in 2012, holding a batting average of over .300, earning his first appearance in the All-Star Game, and finishing in the top 30 of the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) voting. In 2013, he began the season with a 25-game suspension for using Adderall, and subsequently spent time on the disabled list, ultimately playing in fewer than 100 games for the first time in his MLB career.
Ruiz is the only player in the history of the NL to catch four no-hitters, and one of only two catchers in MLB (the other being Jason Varitek).

Elston Howard

Elston Gene Howard (February 23, 1929 – December 14, 1980) was an American professional baseball player.
Howard on the field was a catcher, left fielder and coach. During a 14-year baseball career, he played in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball from 1948 through 1968, primarily for the New York Yankees. He also played for the Kansas City Monarchs and the Boston Red Sox.
In 1955, he was the first African American player on the Yankees roster; this was eight years after Jackie Robinson had broken  the MLB color barrier in 1947. Howard was named the American League's Most Valuable Player for the 1963 pennant winners after finishing third in the league in slugging average and fifth in home runs, becoming the first black player in AL history to win the honor. He won Gold Glove Awards in 1963 and 1964, in the latter season setting AL records for putouts and total chances in a season. His lifetime fielding percentage of .993 was a major league record from 1967 to 1973, and he retired among the AL career leaders in putouts (7th, 6,447) and total chances (9th, 6,977).

List of the most famous catchers, with pictures of the players when available. This list of greatest catchers is listed by popularity, so the most ...