Johnny Bench turns 73 today. In 1966, when Bench was 18, his team (the Peninsula Grays in the Carolina League) gave Satchel Paige, then 59, his last 1-day turn on the mound (Bench did not catch him).
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Johnny Bench has a solid case to be the best catcher in MLB history. 1969-79, age 21-31, he hit .269/.350/.490 (5.9 WAR/yr, 132 OPS+). 600 PA,, 29 HR, 100 RBI/yr, yet many who watched him were more impressed with his fantastic glovework.
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4 catchers have topped 60 WAR: Johnny Bench 75.2 (17 seasons) Gary Carter 70.1 (19 seasons) Pudge Rodriguez 68.7 (21 seasons) Carlton Fisk 68.5 (25 seasons)
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Progression of career WAR leaders, catchers: King Kelly (47.0, retired 1893, played more OF than C) Buck Ewing (4.80, ret 1897) Gabby Hartnett (56.9, ret 1941) Bill Dickey (57.3, ret 1946) Yogi Berra (59.5, ret 1965) Johnny Bench (75.2, ret 1983)
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Well, Yogi was a monster in his prime years of 1950-56, but he hit .290/.328/.483 from 1946-49, .266/.332/.452 from 1957-65, was a poor defensive catcher in his early years, moved to the OF from 1960-on. So, combo of middling OBPs & limited defensive value outside of his prime.
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