Benito v. Berra (Split Thread)

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by chrisfostermusi


Hey Smed-- Berra is a bronze all the way! Average plate #s and was helped out tremendously by an all star line up If you are looking for Gold catchers, look no further than Gary Carter or Benito Santiago.

BENITO SANTIAGO? Puh-leeze! He's craptacular!

No, I guess a catcher who hit 358 homers, had a .348 OBP and a .482 SLG (teammates don't help those numbers) and caught 1,699 is sub-par.

Compared to .305 OBP and .411 SLG for the human don't walk sign Santiago.

[LeGrandOrange]

Chris, I got two questions:
1. What are you smoking?
2. Can I have some for future use when I'm 21?

I like Benito Santiago. He's a great plate caller. I don't mind his presence on a team. However, Benito Santiago is in NO WAY better than Lawrence Peter Berra. Santiago's with the Jim Sundberg's of the world. Berra's in his own class. It doesn't take a Yankee fan to know he's a legend.
He's not just a great hitter, but a fine catcher as well. He'd have still played catcher if Elston Howard wasn't so much better. :) And need we talk about the personality? Berra SURELY ranks up there among the best baseball personalities ever. His personalities might've been as legendary as his career. He's truly an original, and a bonafide legend. 'nuff said.
BTW, I think you'd be better off with Gene Tenace over Santiago. Who doesn't like a catcher that walks?

[KCBOOMER]

I'd take Yogi at age 70 over Benito in his prime.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Comparing Benito to Yogi is like comparing Gary Ward to Ted Williams.

[sweaver]

What do you have against Gary Ward?

Berra a third-tier HOF guy? Not a chance. Berra raised the level of the Yankees, not the other way around. He was generally the second-best player on the team, behind Mantle.

[Xanadu Dragon]

Nothing against Daryle's dad - - - just meant he was an OK player that fit some needs for a while for some teams - - - but, not an all-time elite player.

[SmedIndy]

Gary Ward's problem was that he was blocked in Minnesota for a while by the Hisle / Ford / Bostock OF, then inexplicably again by Powell / Sofield / Landreaux (WHY????)

He didn't play every day until he was 28. Lost a few good years.

[chrisfostermusi]

I would give a more worthy reply but I am lighting up right now enjoying the special herbs that sku my thinking LOL

Benito.... Best catcher of all time... end of story

[TGwynn19]

Originally posted by chrisfostermusi
I would give a more worthy reply but I am lighting up right now enjoying the special herbs that sku my thinking LOL

Benito.... Best catcher of all time... end of story



Man o man do I need to hook up with my fellow Neopolitan's dealer because that is some serious mind altering smoke.:D

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by chrisfostermusi
I would give a more worthy reply but I am lighting up right now enjoying the special herbs that sku my thinking LOL

Benito.... Best catcher of all time... end of story Well, that knocks me out of the wacky posts contest.

I'll just say that putting Benito Santiago over Yogi Berra needs to be supported w/logical arguments, stats, something. As to best catcher of all time, many would argue that one Johnny Lee Bench has held that distinction for some time.

Can you give us a real reason why Benito is better than Bench, Fisk, Yogi, Carter, Gabby and other catchers? Serious reply only, please, since I am _very_ serious about the question.

[Xanadu Dragon]

As much as I hate closing threads, I have to do it here. No offense to anyone, but, this is a stupid debate. It doesn't take much to figure out that Berra and Santiago are light years apart.

I fear this may be more of the case of someone walking into a bar in St. Louis and yelling out "Chet Lemon was a better player than Stan Musial" - - and then sitting back and laughing at all the people in the bar fighting over each other trying to get to him.

I like to think that we're too mature to partake in that game here.