Major league baseball players make up a pretty exclusive club. When it comes to good catchers the list is even more limited. Wearing “The Tools of Ignorance” takes serious tolls on players’ bodies. It’s not actually the tools themselves, but what they protect from. Few players are able to handle the physical demands of the position, while maintaining productive offensive careers that withstand the rigors of time. You’ll hear of no Iron Man streaks among catchers. Even the strongest need several days off during the seemingly endless 162 game seasons.
If you were to examine the credentials of those to ever play the position, you’d likely be very surprised with how favorably Javy Lopez and Jorge Posada compare to the legendary names of the sport. When listening to discussions regarding great catchers from this recent era, the two names most often mentioned are Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez. Although Piazza is widely viewed as the best hitting catcher of all time, and Rodriguez the most complete backstop of his generation, I find it a bit unfair that Lopez and Posada do not receive more accolades for extremely productive, and dare I say Hall of Fame worthy careers.
As you analyze the list, you’ll see the four current players paralleled with five of the most renowned Hall of Fame catchers. The categories of batting average, on base percentage, and slugging are all quite similar across players, with Piazza truly standing out. At first glance it would be easy to misconstrue the “power numbers” of Lopez and Posada and view them as lacking in comparison to their elite peers. I would say, "Not so fast". The most telling statistic to me is how their power numbers translate over the course of a 162 game season. When their body of work is examined through this filter, you can plainly see that their levels of on-field productivity are very comparable with some of the best that have ever played the game.
Javy Lopez missed significant playing time in many seasons due to various physical ailments; otherwise his numbers would be even more impressive. Count me among those who take into account time lost because of injuries. Posada on the other hand has proven to be very durable. You can blame any deficiencies in his HR and RBI totals on manager Joe Torre. From 1997-1999, Mr. Torre elected to either start Joe Girardi over Posada or platoon them, even though the light hitting Girardi hit 6 HRs total during those 3 seasons in the Bronx. This is no knock on Girardi’s skills, but Posada and Yankees fans waited VERY patiently for Torre to come to his senses and hand the job over to Jorge full-time. To be quite honest, it was akin to an apprentice whose time had come, but whose master refused to face the truth. For right or wrong, Torre is a very loyal man and he was loyal with Girardi to a fault. Perhaps the lighter workload earlier on will help to extend Jorge's career, thus allowing him to continue and accumulate stats.
Assuming that Posada still has 3 productive seasons left, he has a very legitimate chance for over 1,000 total RBIs and could easily surpass 250 HRs. If he is able to mentor his inevitable replacement by playing in 40-50 games once his starting days are over, the totals could climb even higher. Carlton Fisk played productively until the age of 43 and held on until he was 45. I see no reason why a player who takes care of himself as Posada does, cannot make it to age 40-41. Javy Lopez on the other hand was just released by the Colorado Rockies. Unless he were to hook up with a team looking for a veteran catcher, which is always a distinct possibility, his numbers will stay as they are. If this is the end of the road for him, he will be missed.
Lopez and Posada have quietly gone about their business on championship caliber teams their entire careers, and most people barely even noticed. All I can say is that if you didn’t pay attention, then you should have. Once their careers are officially over, we can expect to hear their names mentioned again in the not so distant future as Hall of Fame merits are weighed. I know it's unlikely that Javy and Jorge will ever get their day in Cooperstown (especially since the modern player has to go above and beyond the accomplishments of those already enshrined), and perhaps rightfully so. Whatever the case may be, they're still far more worthy than most people realize.
Coincidentally, Rodriguez, Lopez and Posada were all born and raised in Puerto Rico. What were the odds that arguably three of the best four catchers since the start of the 1990s, all hail from the same small island? Whatever legacies they leave, they will be forever linked and beloved down in Old San Juan, if not in upstate New York. Roberto Clemente, among others, would be proud.
Great stuff Rivjo. You get no argument from me. Both players have given much more than stats to their teams and the game. But, we know how much people need stats and the stats are there two. Love the link the the island in Puerto Rico; nice notation.
Steelerfan---Thanks for reading. You got it right with the stats. Sometimes it's all we focus on. When you consider all the different ways to analyze stats, it's almost like comparing women. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Hall of Fame or not, Javy and Jorge were among the elite at their position in the era that they played. That's not too shabby.
As a former part-time catcher in high school, I can confirm just how demanding it is. I can't imagine trying to handle catching duties over a 162 game season. Especially as age sets in. It was hard enough back when my body was a cooperative vessel...it would be virtually impossible to withstand it now.
And being able to hit when you're legs feel like jello is just half of the job. The other part is to help your pitching staff, by calling a good game...keeping them calm...and giving them a consistently good target. Maybe that's why I like the movie Bull Durham so much, because it shows how valuable a great catcher can be.
As for Javy & Jorge, I agree...they are two of the best.
Nice tribute to these 2 guys...and a very underrated job.
As a former little league catcher I can say with absolute clarity I didn't like people throwing baseballs at me for any reason.
I think I just plagerized Shooter, but moving on, great post, while I think the HOF is now reserved for HR hitters, and wrongfully so, you make a good argument for both.
Piazza is however, the most selfish, me-baller of the last decade, and only ever cared about his stats. So even though they're better than any other catcher in memory if not in history, they didn't do a damn thing for the teams he played on...
Rivjo, when I saw the title of this blog on the front page, I thought, "Javy? Someone actually remembers him?" (despite the fact that he's still active).
I remember his glory days with the Braves -- tops in the business. His 2003 season was absolutely amazing: .328 batting average, 43 HR, 109 RBI, and an OPS+ of 174 (a regular OPS if 1.065).
Well-written and informative, Rivjo.
I'd be remiss not to comment on Jorge Posada, but I think his resume speaks for itself. The legendary greats like Bench, Berra, Carter, et. al. are serviced by being mentioned with him, just as much as Posada is servived by being mentioned with them.
Shooter---I have only one experience with almost catching and it terrified me to death. As a Little Leaguer I was asked to catch when our regular catcher was late to the game. I was only like 10 years old. As I was putting on the equipment I remembered I'd forgotton my jock strap that day as I ran out of the house. All I could think was "what if the ball hits me in the nuts?" Thank goodness the other player showed up right before the game started.
Otherwise guys like Jorge and Javy amaze me. I have a hard time squatting at age 34 and have never caught a day in my life.
Ed---You also reinforced steerlerfans point about being a stat driven society when it comes to baseball. Posada may not have the stats of Piazza but he was every bit as important for other reasons. He is a team leader, clutch, plays good defense, calls a good game with the pitchers, etc...He never cried as he lost countless at bats to Joe Girardi early in his career. Jorge is a stand up guy all the way. Piazza has acted like a primadonna at times. Even so, I guess he still deserves to be in the Hall, but excellent point.
Funny though how the best hitting catcher of all time has zero championships though and no one knocks his credentials. I guess that's reserved for quarterbacks and guys like A-Rod.
Ultra---Javy was a true beast. The guy looked like he was in such great shape and spent a lot of time in the gym. However, all those injuries over time curtailed some of his numbers. I don't see how that is his fault especially since he played catcher, but I'm sure the hall of fame voters will have a problem with it.
As for Jorge, the guy has been amazingly consistent and steady over time. He has been as vital to the team as Jeter and Mariano. With all the "big" names on the Yanks over the years he is easy to overlook.
As always Thanks for reading Shooter, Ed and Ultra. I always appreciate feedback from you guys.
And by the way, 1-6 start be damned, I think the Phillies are going to push the Mets hard all season long. Good luck.
Don't know about those Pirates though Shooter. I"m pulling for them too.
I'm a special ed teacher by trade. Funny, I spend my day wanting to say shut-up to people and then do the same here. Just can't seem to. That would be rude and most uncivilized.
I like to write and never met a thought I couldn't continue. My blogs, like this bio, tend to be far too long. I can admit it. If you make it to the end of one of my "essays" there's usually a message that could have been written in half the time by a better writer than me.
Did I mention I was a finalist in NGS II? No really I was, further proving that theyll let anyone in this place. I came in 10th, which is better than 16th I guess. Other than winning the 4th grade graduation writing award it was the biggest literary accomplishmen t of my life. I still haven't gotten used to being famous.
good catchers the list is even more limited. Wearing “The Tools of Ignorance” takes serious tolls on players’ bodies. It’s not actually the tools themselves, but what they protect from. Few players are able to handle the physical demands of the position, while maintaining productive offensive careers that withstand the rigors of time. You’ll hear of no Iron Man streaks among catchers. Even the strongest need several days off during the seemingly endless 162 game seasons. 
es of the sport. When listening to discussions regarding great catchers from this recent era, the two names most often mentioned are Mike Piazza and Ivan Rodriguez. Although Piazza is widely viewed as the best hitting catcher of all time, and Rodriguez the most complete backstop of his generation, I find it a bit unfair that Lopez and Posada do not receive more accolades for extremely productive, and dare I say Hall of Fame worthy careers. 
otherwise his numbers would be even more impressive. Count me among those who take into account time lost because of injuries. Posada on the other hand has proven to be very durable. You can blame any deficiencies in his HR and RBI totals on manager Joe Torre. From 1997-1999, Mr. Torre elected to either start Joe Girardi over Posada or platoon them, even though the light hitting Girardi hit 6 HRs total during those 3 seasons in the Bronx. This is no knock on Girardi’s skills, but Posada and Yankees fans waited VERY patiently for Torre to come to his senses and hand the job over to Jorge full-time. To be quite honest, it was akin to an apprentice whose time had come, but whose master refused to face the truth. For right or wrong, Torre is a very loyal man and he was loyal with Girardi to a fault. Perhaps the lighter workload earlier on will help to extend Jorge's career, thus allowing him to continue and accumulate stats. 
chance for over 1,000 total RBIs and could easily surpass 250 HRs. If he is able to mentor his inevitable replacement by playing in 40-50 games once his starting days are over, the totals could climb even higher. Carlton Fisk played productively until the age of 43 and held on until he was 45. I see no reason why a player who takes care of himself as Posada does, cannot make it to age 40-41. Javy Lopez on the other hand was just released by the Colorado Rockies. Unless he were to hook up with a team looking for a veteran catcher, which is always a distinct possibility, his numbers will stay as they are. If this is the end of the road for him, he will be missed. 
