Darrell Ray Porter was an American professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1971 to 1987 for the Milwaukee Brewers,Kansas City Royals,St. Louis Cardinals,and Texas Rangers. The four-time All-Star was known for his excellent defensive skills and power hitting ability. He struggled but was never able to overcome a substance abuse problem,yet went on to become the most valuable player of the 1982 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. Porter died from accidental drug toxicity in 2002 at the age of 50.
George Andrew Hendrick Jr. is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder between 1971 and 1988,most prominently as an integral member of the St. Louis Cardinals team that won the 1982 World Series.
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.
William Joseph Haselman is an American professional baseball coach and former player. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 13 seasons between 1990 and 2003. A first-round selection in the 1987 MLB draft,he played for the Texas Rangers,Seattle Mariners,Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers. He later was the bullpen coach and first base coach for the Red Sox,and currently is the third base coach for the Los Angeles Angels. He has also served as a manager in Minor League Baseball.
Richard Allen Dietz was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1966 to 1973,most prominently as a member of the San Francisco Giants where he was an All-Star player and was a member of the team that won the 1971 National League Western Division title. He also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves. After his playing career,Dietz worked as a minor league manager in the Giants organization.
Bruce Edwin Benedict is an American former professional baseball player,coach and scout. He played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Atlanta Braves from 1978 to 1989.
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.
Leron Lee is an American former professional left fielder. He played eight seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals,Los Angeles Dodgers,Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He then played eleven seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball for the Lotte Orions,where he was a four-time All-Star and a four-time Best Nine Award-winner. His nephew Derrek Lee also played in the MLB.
Gary Lynn Sutherland,nicknamed "Sudsy",is an American former professional baseball middle infielder. He played college baseball at the University of Southern California and later played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB),from 1966 to 1978.
James Kenneth O'Dea was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs (1935–38),New York Giants (1939–41),St. Louis Cardinals (1942–46),and Boston Braves (1946).
Alan Lee Knicely is an American former professional baseball catcher,who played all or parts of eight seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB),from 1979 until 1986. He served mainly as a backup catcher for four teams during that time,while also playing some first base and outfield.
Below is a partial list of minor league baseball players in the Tampa Bay Rays system:
Charles Ludy "Chase" Riddle was an American baseball player,coach,manager and scout. Riddle made his mark in both professional baseball,where he had a 36-year career (1943–78),mostly with the St. Louis Cardinals organization,and in U.S. college ranks as the successful head baseball coach of Troy University (1979–90),where he won two Division II NCAA baseball championships and compiled a record of 435–149–2 (.745). His uncles Johnny and Elmer Riddle played in the Major Leagues in the 1930s and 1940s.
Edward Michael Easley is an American former professional baseball catcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2015.
Kyeong Duk Kang is a Korean American former professional baseball outfielder. He was the first South Korean-born baseball player to be selected in the MLB draft.
Curtis Michael Casali,is an American professional baseball catcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at Vanderbilt University,and was selected in the 10th round of the 2011 MLB draft by the Detroit Tigers. He made his MLB debut in 2014 with the Tampa Bay Rays,and has also played for the San Francisco Giants,and Seattle Mariners.
Tyler Andrew Heineman is an American professional baseball catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the UCLA Bruins. The Houston Astros selected Heineman in the eighth round of the 2012 MLB draft. He has previously played in MLB for the Miami Marlins,San Francisco Giants,and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Willson Eduardo Contreras is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs.
William Dills Smith is an American professional baseball catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Louisville Cardinals. He was selected by the Dodgers in the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut in 2019.
Andrew Robert Knizner is an American professional baseball catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
