The Top 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years- Catchers

Continuing my list of the 10 greatest players at each position in the last 50 years, today I am looking at catchers. For players who played multiple positions, I am only including them at 1 position. Usually, it will be for the position they played the most games. However, I may use judgement and select a player at the position where he had most success. Since this is based on the last 50 years, the player must have played in MLB for at least 5 years since the 1973 season. Note players who began their career prior to 73 can be considered. However only their performance and accomplishments since the 1973 season will be counted for.

Here is my list of the top 10 catchers in the last 50 years.

10. Salvador Perez (2011-active)- 5X gold glove winner. WS MVP.

9.  Thurman Munson (1973-1979)- MVP, 3X Gold Glove winner.

8.  Yadier Molina (2004-2022)- 9X Gold Glove winner.

7. Buster Posey (2009-2021)- MVP, Batting champion, Gold Glove winner.  

6. Joe Mauer (2004-2018)- MVP, 3X Batting champion, 3X Gold Glove winner.

5. Gary Carter (1974-1992)- HOF, 3X Gold Glove winner.

4. Carlton Fisk (1973-1993) HOF, Gold Glove winner. Most hits by a catcher.

3. Mike Piazza (1992-2007)- HOF, .308 lifetime average, finished (4)x in top 5 MVP voting.

2. Ivan Rodriguez (1991-2011)- HOF, 13X Gold Gloves. MVP, NLCS MVP.  

1. Johnny Bench (1973-1983)- HOF, 6 Gold Gloves since 1973. WS MVP.

Notes. Lots of tough decisions. I left off HOF Ted Simmons. Still not convinced he is deserving. I went with Perez based on his great power numbers. He holds the record for most home runs by a catcher in a single season with 48. Still active and can move up on the list. Munson’s career was cut short by his tragic death. If he played longer, he may be a Hall of Famer. Has a career .357 post season batting average. Molina is a future Hall of Famer who has the record for a catcher for starting the most consecutive games in the postseason. Posey is the second player in MLB history to win the Rookie of the Year, a League MVP, and three World Series championships. I put Mauer higher on this list for being the only catcher in MLB history to win (3) batting titles. In my opinion, Mauer is a Hall of Famer. Carter caught 2,056 games, which ranks him 4^th all time. Fisk holds the record for most years played as a catcher with 24. HOF Piazza has the most career HRs as a catcher. Rodriguez is 1 of only 4 players in history .290 with more than 2,500 hits, 550 doubles, 300 home runs and 1,300 RBI. Although Bench won his (2) MVPs prior to 1973, he was still the greatest catcher for the next 8 years. And remains the greatest catcher in baseball history.

Next up is the 10 greatest Designated Hitters in the last 50 years.