Charles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett,also nicknamed "Old Tomato Face",was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played almost his entire career in Major League Baseball as a catcher with the Chicago Cubs,from 1922 to 1940. He spent the final season of his career as a player-coach with the New York Giants in 1941. After his playing career,Hartnett continued his involvement in baseball as a coach and as a minor league manager.
Gerald Wayne Grote is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1963 through 1981,most prominently as a member of the New York Mets where he was a two-time All-Star player and was a member of the team that became known as the Miracle Mets for their upset victory over the powerful Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series. Grote was considered to be one of the best defensive catchers of his era.
Ted Lyle Simmons is an American former professional baseball player and coach. A switch-hitter,Simmons was a catcher for most of his Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the St. Louis Cardinals (1968–1980),the Milwaukee Brewers (1981–1985) and the Atlanta Braves (1986–1988). Although he was often overshadowed by his contemporary,Johnny Bench,Simmons is considered one of the best hitting catchers in MLB history. While his power numbers paled in comparison to Bench,Simmons still managed to hit for a higher batting average despite playing home games in a notoriously tough hitter's park.
James Luther "Luke" Sewell was an American professional baseball player,coach and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Cleveland Indians,Washington Senators (1933–1934),Chicago White Sox (1935–1938) and the St. Louis Browns (1942). Sewell batted and threw right-handed. He was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era.
August Rodney Mancuso,nicknamed "Blackie",was an American professional baseball player,coach,scout and radio sports commentator. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals,New York Giants,Chicago Cubs (1939),Brooklyn Dodgers (1940) and Philadelphia Phillies (1945).
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is an American former professional baseball catcher and is currently serving as the Field Coordinator for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). Barajas served as the interim manager for the San Diego Padres after Andy Green's firing on September 21,2019. As a player in Major League Baseball (MLB),he played for the Arizona Diamondbacks,Texas Rangers,Philadelphia Phillies,Toronto Blue Jays,New York Mets,Los Angeles Dodgers,and Pittsburgh Pirates. With the Diamondbacks,he won the 2001 World Series over the then reigning,three-time world champion New York Yankees. Barajas also played for the Mexico national baseball team.
Virgil Lawrence "Spud" Davis was an American professional baseball player,coach,scout and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals,Philadelphia Phillies,Cincinnati Reds,and Pittsburgh Pirates. Davis' .308 career batting average ranks fourth all-time among major league catchers.
Herold Dominic "Muddy" Ruel was an American professional baseball player,coach,manager and general manager. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1934. One of the top defensive catchers of his era,Ruel was notable for being the personal catcher for Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher,Walter Johnson and for scoring the winning run for the Washington Senators in Game 7 of the 1924 World Series. He also played for the St. Louis Browns,New York Yankees,Boston Red Sox,Detroit Tigers,and the Chicago White Sox during a career that lasted 19 seasons. After his playing career,Ruel served as a coach and a baseball executive.
Manuel De Jesus Sanguillén Magan is a Panamanian former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher in 1967 and from 1969 through 1980,most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won five National League Eastern Division titles in six years between 1970 and 1975 and won the World Series in 1971 and 1979,twice over the Baltimore Orioles. He also played one season for the Oakland Athletics.
Robert Arthur O'Farrell was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for 21 seasons with the Chicago Cubs,St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Giants. O'Farrell also played for the Cincinnati Reds,albeit briefly. He was considered one of the greatest defensive catchers of his generation.
Harold Delano"Butch"Wynegar Jr. is an American former professional baseball catcher who played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Minnesota Twins,New York Yankees and California Angels,and was a two-time All Star.
Harding William "Pete" Peterson was an American professional baseball player and general manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1955 to 1959. During his playing days,he was more commonly known as Hardy Peterson.
Milton Scott May is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1970 to 1984 for the Pittsburgh Pirates,Houston Astros,Detroit Tigers,Chicago White Sox,and San Francisco Giants.
Joseph Clifton Martin is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1959 to 1972. Martin played the bulk of his career with the Chicago White Sox,but is most prominent for his involvement in a controversial play that occurred during the 1969 World Series as a member of the New York Mets. He ended his career playing for the Chicago Cubs. After his playing career,he worked as a White Sox color commentator alongside Harry Caray on WSNS television in 1975.
Ralston Burdett Hemsley was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for 19 seasons from 1928 to 1947. Born in Syracuse,Ohio,he was nicknamed "Rollicking Rollie". Hemsley batted and threw right-handed.
The 1973 New York Mets season was the 12th regular season for the Mets,who played home games at Shea Stadium. Manager Yogi Berra led the team to a National League East title with an 82–79 record and the National League pennant,though they were defeated by the Oakland Athletics in the World Series. Their .509 winning percentage is the lowest of any pennant-winner in major league history. Having won only 82 games during the regular season,they,along with the 2005 San Diego Padres,qualified for the postseason with the fewest regular season wins since Major League Baseball expanded to a 162-game season in 1961,and the fewest of any team since 1885. The season was well known for pitcher Tug McGraw's catchphrase "Ya Gotta Believe!!!"
Nathan Edward Ott,nicknamed "Otter",is an American former professional baseball player,coach and manager. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1974 to 1981,most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates with whom he won a World Series championship in 1979. He also played for the California Angels. Ott was a left-handed batter and threw right-handed.
James Vincent "Pag" Pagliaroni was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1955 to 1969 for the Boston Red Sox,Pittsburgh Pirates,Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Pilots.
Jerry Lee May was an American professional baseball player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1964 through 1973 for the Pittsburgh Pirates,Kansas City Royals,and New York Mets. May was notable for his defensive skills and ability to handle a pitching staff.
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a Dominican former professional baseball player,manager and coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates,Cardinals,Red Sox,Indians,White Sox,and Astros. After his playing career,Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He was most recently the first base coach for the New York Yankees. A four-time Gold Glove Award winner,Peña was known for his defensive abilities as well as his unorthodox squat behind home plate.
