Don't know how many they hit when they were actually playing catcher—as opposed to some other position or DH-ing—but here are the top Yankees catchers, by most home runs in a season:
Gary Sanchez—34 Gary Sanchez—33 Yogi Berra—30 (twice) Jorge Posada—30 Bill Dickey—29 Elston Howard—28 Yogi Berra—28 Jorge Posada—28 Yogi Berra—27 (3 times) Bill Dickey—27 Mike Stanley—26 Yogi Berra—24 Bill Dickey—24 Matt Notes—24 Jorge Posada—23 Yogi Berra—22 (3 times) Jorge Posada—22 (twice) Bill Dickey—22 Matt Notes—22 Elston Howard—21 (twice) Jorge Posada—21 Johnny Blanchard—21 Yogi Berra—20 Jorge Posada—20 Thurman Munson—20
Blanchard had 21 in 1961 as the third string catcher…. Yanks had 60+ homers from the catching position that year. Crazy. Plus the M&M boys at 61 & 54…fun times to be a kid.
You got it, guys. Yogi—who put in an astonishing number of games behind the plate in many seasons—was playing more LF by the end, as Howard took over the catcher's spot. Essentially, of Blanchard, Berra, and Howard, whoever wasn't catching played LF in 1961. Or came off the bench and hit a three-run, pinch-homer.
And yes, along with them, and the M & M boys, Skowron hit 28 at 1B, Boyer hit 11 at 3B...a record 240 in all, not broken until the Time of Juicing.
Prior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Reinstated C Jose Trevino (#39) from the 10-day injured list. • Recalled INF/OF Franchy Cordero (#33) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. • Optioned C Ben Rortvedt to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. • Placed OF Harrison Bader on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.
This was at a time, mind you, when back-up Yankees catchers were essentially becoming starters all over the majors: Clint Courtney, Sherm Lollar, Gus Triandos, Hal Smith. And they STILL had Elston Howard and Johnny Blanchard to fall back on.
THAT, my friends, is how you build a farm system. And that is one of the best catchers whatever was.
Kevin, Thurman came up in the O.G. Stadium—and then played two years at Shea—and I think he adjusted accordingly. Lifetime, he had 42 homers at home—but 71 on the road.
I think there's an outside case to be made for him for the HOF, considering his defense. Despite the bad wing in his later years, he threw out 44 % of all would-be stealers in his career, leading the AL with 50% one year, and an amazing 61% in another. Three Gold Gloves—and three straight years with over 100 ribbies and an over .300 BA.
I only have vague memories of Yogi catching cuz he was playing a lot of LF when I was coming out of the infant ooze.
Thurman and Posada were something. Thurman, power, average and defense. Posada, SW with power and gap. liners.. Him raking Pedo Martinez is a fond memories. Almost gives me a chubby. Those were the days.
Posada should DEFINITELY be in the Hall, Archie. He was the second-best catcher in the AL for something like 10 years—and the best one was juicing. AND is in the Hall.
Many media types and fans look at the juicing as a player by player issue. To which I say BULLSHIT. Why can't these people understand that clean players are competing for money AND HOF consideration?
This lack of moral strength (and yes, a reflection of Society) should expunge the word "Sport/s" from the common vernacular. Yes you may call me a "dreamer"...
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Very much a financial decision, as we will basically be paying Hicks to play for the O’s.
ReplyDeletePerhaps this was Cashman’s plan all along, to sabotage a rising division rival.
Also, the Mets have already let Sancho go. Apparently he's signed with the Padres, so we just missed him. Twice.
ReplyDeleteSanchez now on his fourth club since 2021. Boy, teams are really hurting for catchers.
Don't know how many they hit when they were actually playing catcher—as opposed to some other position or DH-ing—but here are the top Yankees catchers, by most home runs in a season:
ReplyDeleteGary Sanchez—34
Gary Sanchez—33
Yogi Berra—30 (twice)
Jorge Posada—30
Bill Dickey—29
Elston Howard—28
Yogi Berra—28
Jorge Posada—28
Yogi Berra—27 (3 times)
Bill Dickey—27
Mike Stanley—26
Yogi Berra—24
Bill Dickey—24
Matt Notes—24
Jorge Posada—23
Yogi Berra—22 (3 times)
Jorge Posada—22 (twice)
Bill Dickey—22
Matt Notes—22
Elston Howard—21 (twice)
Jorge Posada—21
Johnny Blanchard—21
Yogi Berra—20
Jorge Posada—20
Thurman Munson—20
Sad.
Yogi all over that, Hoss
ReplyDeleteA bit before my time, but didnt Yogi play a lot of LF as well?
Blanchard had 21 in 1961 as the third string catcher….
ReplyDeleteYanks had 60+ homers from the catching position that year. Crazy.
Plus the M&M boys at 61 & 54…fun times to be a kid.
You got it, guys. Yogi—who put in an astonishing number of games behind the plate in many seasons—was playing more LF by the end, as Howard took over the catcher's spot. Essentially, of Blanchard, Berra, and Howard, whoever wasn't catching played LF in 1961. Or came off the bench and hit a three-run, pinch-homer.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, along with them, and the M & M boys, Skowron hit 28 at 1B, Boyer hit 11 at 3B...a record 240 in all, not broken until the Time of Juicing.
From Yankee Twitter Account:
ReplyDeletePrior to tonight’s game, the Yankees made the following roster moves:
• Reinstated C Jose Trevino (#39) from the 10-day injured list.
• Recalled INF/OF Franchy Cordero (#33) from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
• Optioned C Ben Rortvedt to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
• Placed OF Harrison Bader on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain.
Yogi's catching appearances:
ReplyDelete109+: 1949-1957, 1959.
1950: 148
1951: 151
1952: 140
1953: 133
1954: 149
1955: 145
1956: 135
This was at a time, mind you, when back-up Yankees catchers were essentially becoming starters all over the majors: Clint Courtney, Sherm Lollar, Gus Triandos, Hal Smith. And they STILL had Elston Howard and Johnny Blanchard to fall back on.
THAT, my friends, is how you build a farm system. And that is one of the best catchers whatever was.
Wonder how long Bader will be out.
ReplyDeleteTony!!!
ReplyDeleteAllen!!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like Gilbert is the sacrificial lamb…
ReplyDelete7-zip? Is Seattle this bad?
ReplyDeleteOnly the fourth, and Nestor is getting near danger hour.
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten that Thurman only hit twenty one time. Of course he was still a great hitter....
ReplyDeleteAnd Judge. Again. Cutting the HR chase to 20-18.
ReplyDeleteYanks called up Franchy. This is just sadistic treatment of Florial.
Kevin, Thurman came up in the O.G. Stadium—and then played two years at Shea—and I think he adjusted accordingly. Lifetime, he had 42 homers at home—but 71 on the road.
ReplyDeleteI think there's an outside case to be made for him for the HOF, considering his defense. Despite the bad wing in his later years, he threw out 44 % of all would-be stealers in his career, leading the AL with 50% one year, and an amazing 61% in another. Three Gold Gloves—and three straight years with over 100 ribbies and an over .300 BA.
Tf happened to IKF... turning into Miguel Cairo before our eyes
ReplyDeleteLook at Mike Stanley creeping on to the list!
ReplyDeleteI only have vague memories of Yogi catching cuz he was playing a lot of LF when I was coming out of the infant ooze.
Thurman and Posada were something.
Thurman, power, average and defense.
Posada, SW with power and gap. liners.. Him raking Pedo Martinez is a fond memories. Almost gives me a chubby.
Those were the days.
Posada should DEFINITELY be in the Hall, Archie. He was the second-best catcher in the AL for something like 10 years—and the best one was juicing. AND is in the Hall.
ReplyDeletePosada for Cooperstown!
Munson should be in first.
ReplyDeleteDoubtful Hicks will still be on the Orioles July 4th. Could be in the senators by August 24th, though.
Goo ridens and good luck, he is The Bird's problem now.
ReplyDeleteMany media types and fans look at the juicing as a player by player issue. To which I say BULLSHIT. Why can't these people understand that clean players are competing for money AND HOF consideration?
ReplyDeleteThis lack of moral strength (and yes, a reflection of Society) should expunge the word "Sport/s" from the common vernacular. Yes you may call me a "dreamer"...