Best Hitting Catcher Ever

[NetShrine]

Yesterday, at lunch, my father-in-law asked me:
"If Piazza retires today, does he go to Cooperstown?"

I said yes, because he's already generally considered the best hitting catcher in history.

He then asked me - "What about the guy in Texas?"

Made me think - - -

Piazza is 32, had 8 great years, and is having a bad one this season.
I-Rod is 29, had 4 good to great years with the bat, and is having another good season this year.

So, what happens is Piazza continues to slide through ages 33 to 37, and Pudge continues to hit well from ages 34 or 35.

Do we then give the nod to Rodirguez?

[BuzzBuzzard]

IMO, I-Rod would have to put up some big numbers and Piazza would really have to drop off for a switch of that order.

Complicating your original question, Piazza has publicly said he would discuss a position change this off-season. If he were to do that, does he freeze I-Rod out?

[NetShrine]

The opposite - - Mikey will forever be labeled with:
"He only caught for nine seasons" the rest of his life.

Joe Torre was an All-Star for something like nine times. He too "only caught for most of 9 years." You never hear him mentioned with the Benches, Berras, etc. - - at least I don't.

[Throwback]

I think Bench, Berra, Campanella, Cochrane, and even Josh Gibson deserve a long look before we start talking Piazza or Rodriguez.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Bench? Yes, he was a tremendous catcher, but Piazza's offensive numbers are much better. Here are some numbers, Bench vs. Piazza

avg .267 .328
HR 389 278
RBI 1376 881
SLG .476 .580
OBA .342 .392
OWP .601 .726

[NetShrine]

Buzz - two things:

1. You have to adjust the "O" for the era. Bench played in a pitcher's era and Piazza in the day when hitters ruled.

2. Bench's numbers include his "end of the road" years whereas Piazza's still peaking. You can only compare the numbers through the age Piazza is now against what Bench did through that age - at least to be fair.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Valid on both points.