The+MLB+Catcher

**MLB Catchers**

Hall of Fame catchers:

Johnny Bench Yogi Berra Roger Bresnahan Roy Campanella Gary Carter Mickey Cochrane Bill Dickey Buck Ewing Rick Ferrell Carlton Fisk Gaby Hartnett Ernie Lombardi Ray Schalk

The reason that there are so few MLB catchers that are exceptional both defensively and offensively is because when coaches recognize that a young man has MLB caliber talent, they usually move them to a different position. They d <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">o this because they know that catchers are very prone to injury. Coaches feel that a young man who is great offensively should play a less difficult and less physically demanding position such as outfield or first base. This is why many people say that Joe Mauer should be moved to third base or outfield. Joe has already been on the disabled list twice this yea <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">r because of leg injuries. If he was playing a different position, these injuries probably wouldn’t have occured. The reason the Twins are reluctant to make this change is because he is so great at controlling the game and throwing out runners at second. In other words, the fact that he plays catcher actually increases his value rather than decreases it.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The shortest player in the Hall of Fame is Yogi Berra. Nowadays, when we picture the Professional Athlete, we picture a huge, tall man. But Yogi Berra, who is considered one of the greatest catchers of all time, was a slight 5-8 190 pounds, so it is quite amazing what he was able to accomplish.The average size of an MLB Catcher: 5’11” 200 Pounds. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The shortest catcher ever in the Major Leagues was Tony Rego, who caught some games for the St. Louis Browns in 1924-25. He stood 5'4"and weighed 165 lbs. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The tallest catchers in The Show are 6’5” inches tall, this list includes Joe Mauer. The shortest catcher currently in the MLB is Ivan Rodriguez, also known Pudge Rodriguez. Pudge currently plays for the Washington Nationals and is a sure thing Hall of Famer. He was born in Puerto Rico and is currently 39 years old. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The average batting average of a starting catcher in the MLB last year is .236. Best average is .327 (Joe Mauer.) Catchers are usually valued for their defensive value, that's why the average is so low. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">No Major League team employs, on its active 25-man roster, a left-handed throwing catcher. About 9 percent of all people in the world are lefties. Why aren’t there any left handed catchers in the MLB? It is because of one thing: Throwing out runners. How does left handedness interfere with throwing out runners going to second? It is because most batters are right handed so they stand in the batters box on the right side, where the lefty would have to throw through. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> The average time of a throw to second from a catcher in the MLB is a little under 2 seconds.

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