Tweet
Today, the substitute editor of the DK, takes a look back at the Top 7 Catchers NOT in the Hall of Fame.
There are currently 9 catchers in the Hall of Fame with an average WAR of 79.0
Feel free to add to the list of someone that you feel I overlooked, or add a reason for someone that IS on the list.
Current players (i.e. Ian James) or not included.
To give some semblance of order to the list, the players are listed by descending WAR.
C Visitor Alvarez 1996-2012
Alvarez played 17 seasons in the BLB and holds the highest WAR (76.7) of any catcher not in the Hall. Alvarez was a three time DWI winner, and four time all-star. Unfortunately for Alvarez, he falls a little short in all of the major counting stats, as he tallied 1966 hits, 185 home runs, and 948 RBI. He was a model of sustained excellence for 11 years from 1999 - 2010, as he never had less than 4.1 WAR in any of those seasons.
C Harry Elliott 1978 - 1993
Elliott played 16 seasons in the BLB and is the only other catcher not in the hall with a WAR (70.1) over 70. Elliott was a six time all-star that never figured into any individual hardware throughout his career. At 0.305, he has the third highest average in the history of the BLB for any catcher. His OBP of 0.424, is easily the highest of any catcher in BLB history. His 7 year stretch from 1982 - 1988 saw him finish every season with a WAR of at least 5.7.
C Pete Miller 1984 - 2000
Miller player 17 seasons winning a Stout Slugger in 1987, to go along with 3 DWI awards, and 3 all star awards. Miller is 6th all time (2 265) in hits for catchers, and is second overall with an astounding 562 doubles! Miller cracked only 207 home runs, but cracked the magical barrier with 1 152 RBI and 1 234 runs scored. He tallied 8 seasons of 4+ WAR, including 5 in a row from 1987 - 1991.
C Vinny Flores 2010 - 2024
Flores (60.6 WAR) played 15 seasons, including winning the New Brew in 2010, one Designated Driver, and he was also a 6 time all-star. Unfortunately, Flores played in the same era as Piekarski and Davila, and never quite got the recognition he deserved. He managed to bang out 2 062 hits, 262 HR and 1 040 RBI. He ended his career with 10 seasons of 4+ WAR.
C Mike Murdock 1986 - 1998
Murdock (59.1 WAR) played a fabulous 13 seasons in the BLB, and came agonizingly close to getting elected in 2015, when he fell just short. His short career likely counts against him, but he tallied an unbelievable average WAR of 4.5 for each of his 13 seasons, and only one was below 2.0... His rookie season! Murdock won a DWI and was a six time all-star that finished his career just short of 2 000 hits, but managed 271 home runs and 1 174 rbi, while have a career OPS of 0.834, good enough for 9th all time among catchers.
C Roberto Goto 1999 - 2016
Goto 955.0 WAR) played 17 seasons in the BLB, and came agonizingly close to getting elected in 2021 and 2022, when he fell just short! Goto played less than half of his career at C,which likely is the reason he has been overlooked in the past. His counting totals of 359 home runs and 1 342 home runs appear less impressive, as he split half his career at 1st base.
C Norm Deiwart 2012 - 2026
Deiwart (49.1 WAR) played 15 seasons, and was known for his power bat. He tallied only 1402 hits, but 566 went for extra bases, including a whopping 344 home runs! He was a BLB champion, one time Designated Driver, and a four time all-star. He tallied an incredible 11 straight seasons with 20+ home runs from 2014 - 2024.
There are currently 9 catchers in the Hall of Fame with an average WAR of 79.0
Feel free to add to the list of someone that you feel I overlooked, or add a reason for someone that IS on the list.
Current players (i.e. Ian James) or not included.
To give some semblance of order to the list, the players are listed by descending WAR.
C Visitor Alvarez 1996-2012
Alvarez played 17 seasons in the BLB and holds the highest WAR (76.7) of any catcher not in the Hall. Alvarez was a three time DWI winner, and four time all-star. Unfortunately for Alvarez, he falls a little short in all of the major counting stats, as he tallied 1966 hits, 185 home runs, and 948 RBI. He was a model of sustained excellence for 11 years from 1999 - 2010, as he never had less than 4.1 WAR in any of those seasons.
C Harry Elliott 1978 - 1993
Elliott played 16 seasons in the BLB and is the only other catcher not in the hall with a WAR (70.1) over 70. Elliott was a six time all-star that never figured into any individual hardware throughout his career. At 0.305, he has the third highest average in the history of the BLB for any catcher. His OBP of 0.424, is easily the highest of any catcher in BLB history. His 7 year stretch from 1982 - 1988 saw him finish every season with a WAR of at least 5.7.
C Pete Miller 1984 - 2000
Miller player 17 seasons winning a Stout Slugger in 1987, to go along with 3 DWI awards, and 3 all star awards. Miller is 6th all time (2 265) in hits for catchers, and is second overall with an astounding 562 doubles! Miller cracked only 207 home runs, but cracked the magical barrier with 1 152 RBI and 1 234 runs scored. He tallied 8 seasons of 4+ WAR, including 5 in a row from 1987 - 1991.
C Vinny Flores 2010 - 2024
Flores (60.6 WAR) played 15 seasons, including winning the New Brew in 2010, one Designated Driver, and he was also a 6 time all-star. Unfortunately, Flores played in the same era as Piekarski and Davila, and never quite got the recognition he deserved. He managed to bang out 2 062 hits, 262 HR and 1 040 RBI. He ended his career with 10 seasons of 4+ WAR.
C Mike Murdock 1986 - 1998
Murdock (59.1 WAR) played a fabulous 13 seasons in the BLB, and came agonizingly close to getting elected in 2015, when he fell just short. His short career likely counts against him, but he tallied an unbelievable average WAR of 4.5 for each of his 13 seasons, and only one was below 2.0... His rookie season! Murdock won a DWI and was a six time all-star that finished his career just short of 2 000 hits, but managed 271 home runs and 1 174 rbi, while have a career OPS of 0.834, good enough for 9th all time among catchers.
C Roberto Goto 1999 - 2016
Goto 955.0 WAR) played 17 seasons in the BLB, and came agonizingly close to getting elected in 2021 and 2022, when he fell just short! Goto played less than half of his career at C,which likely is the reason he has been overlooked in the past. His counting totals of 359 home runs and 1 342 home runs appear less impressive, as he split half his career at 1st base.
C Norm Deiwart 2012 - 2026
Deiwart (49.1 WAR) played 15 seasons, and was known for his power bat. He tallied only 1402 hits, but 566 went for extra bases, including a whopping 344 home runs! He was a BLB champion, one time Designated Driver, and a four time all-star. He tallied an incredible 11 straight seasons with 20+ home runs from 2014 - 2024.
Comment