While thinking of subjects to post about, I was watching the game and marveling at how well our two catchers are playing right now. Even though he went hitless in the opener, Will Smith directly impacted the win with two great throws to nail runners trying to steal.
Austin Barnes is an equally adept defender and has also been contributing on offense to start the season. And who is in the wings but Keibert Ruiz, who had a short but impactful showing in spring training?
So I looked back in LA Dodger history, Brooklyn never really had a tandem-catching duo like this, to check and see what kind of players were the starters and their caddy.
Roseboro was the starter when they moved to LA in 58. And he held that position until he was traded after the 1967 season. John was a pretty good defender, and somewhat inconsistent with the bat, but he did rise to the occasion sometimes.
He was backed up by Joe Pignatano until 1961. Then Norm Sherry and Doug Camilli became the backups. Jeff Torborg, a very good defender who could not hit a lick came into the picture in 64. Torborg was behind the plate for Koufax’s perfect game in 1965.
After Rosey went to the Twins in the winter of 67, the Dodgers traded for Tom Haller of the Giants. Tom was the main man for 3 years with Torborg backing him up for 3 seasons.
Then the next in line was Duke Sims. Sims was the main man for only 1 season, but was with the Dodgers for 3. Haller backed him up for a year, then Joe Ferguson and Bill Sudakis did the same.
While researching, I saw a lot of names I had forgotten. Players who were with LA, but you do not remember seeing them play. One of those guys was Chris Cannizaro. Cannizaro played for LA for 2 years, only catching 90 games. But he was the main guy in 1972. And he had a lot of caddys – Sims, Ferguson, Sudakis, and Dick Dietz, who I had forgotten ever wearing a Dodger uni.
In 73 Chris was merely one of the guys. Ferguson took over the job in 73, and his backup was Yeager. Fergie was the bat, and Boomer was the glove. Starting in 1974, it would be the other way around. Yeager took over for the next several years and would be backed up by a bevy of guys. Johnny Oates, Ferguson, Jerry Grote, Gary Carter, Jack Fimple, and Mike Scioscia would eventually replace him.
Scioscia was the Dodgers starter at catcher from 1981 until 1992. The list of guys who caught behind him and Yeager is long. Rick Dempsey, Kevin Pasley, Ellie Rodriguez, Sergio Robles, Brad Gulden, Don Crow, Gil Reyes, Dave Sax, Orlando Mercado, who in his only action with LA, went 3-5. Darrin Fletcher, who would be traded to the Phillies and have a decent career with them. Carlos Hernandez, Barry Lyons, and in 1992 for about 20 games, some kid named Piazza who was not all that impressive in his debut.
Of course, Piazza took over in 1993, winning the ROY award and setting a rookie record for HR’s that would not be broken until Belli broke it in 2017. Piazza was so good offensively that his back ups got very little work. Tom Prince was the main guy. And they once had a guy named Noe Munoz…??? Never heard of him, but he got into a couple of games.
Then came the trade. Charles Johnson, who was a better defender than Mike, but could not carry his bat came over for less than a season. LoDuca and Angel Pena backed him up.
Needing more offense, they traded Johnson away and got Todd Hundley from the Cubs. He was backed up at various times by LoDuca, Pena, Rick Wilkins, and Chad Krueter. Hundley stuck around a few years and then LoDuca took over. Some offense and a decent defender. Guys like Brian Johnson, David Ross, Brent Mayne, and Tom Wilson backed him up during his time as the main guy. You can see the theme here. Most of the backups were good glove so so or no bat kind of guys.
After the trade of LoDuca, they got Jason Phillips. I had forgotten he ever was a Dodger. He had a decent year, but nothing to gloat about. Dioner Navarro, who was supposed to be the next big thing, Paul Bako and Mike Rose, who he? Backed him up at some point. Rose, who played parts of 3 seasons in the bigs, hit his only MLB homer as a Dodger…and I missed it.
The next season, Russell Martin became the main guy and would stay in that spot for about 6 years. Russell was good both ways, decent offense, and good behind the plate. He really controlled the game when he was in there. His list of caddys is long. Mike Lieberthal, abysmal in his only year with the Dodgers. Chad Moeller, Danny Ardoin, Gary Bennett, AJ Ellis, Brad Ausmus, and Rod Barajas.
Barajas took over the job for a couple of years after Russell left and he was backed up by Ellis, Fed-ex, and Hector Giminez. Then it was AJ Ellis’s turn. Ellis as we all know was a high percentage on base guy, a pretty decent defender and a great game caller. And of course, CK’s best buddy.
Matt Treanor, Ramon Hernandez, Fed-Ex, Drew Butera and Miguel Olivo all backed him up now and then. Since AJ left, there have been 3 players handed the starting reins. Grandal, Barnes and now Smith.
In Barnes and Smith, we have maybe the best tandem we have had in a long time. Grandal was an offensive-minded catcher. He was terrible at blocking balls in the dirt, and during his tenure in blue, he led the league in passed balls a few times. Barnes was the exact opposite, some offense sporadically, but very good defensively.
Smith is coming off of two pretty impressive seasons. And he has contributed early to the season so far. So has Barnes, who seems to have regained the confidence he had back in 17 when he replaced Grandal as the starter in the playoffs. Barnes is 30 now. But there is some real talent behind him. In my eyes, the Dodger catching is set for the foreseeable future.
Cover Photo Credit: Getty Images
Thank you Mark for adding the photos. Bummer, was checking OKC’s schedule today, they no longer play Colorado Springs, so I cannot go see them this summer.
I was hoping they might come to Indy too, but that is not happening!
Will Smith can very easily emerge as the best catcher in the game. He showed he’s gotten a lot better at throwing runners out.
In the WS last year, Zunino looked like an old pro blocking the plate compared to Smith.
He needs to improve his framing. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/catcher_framing?year=2020&team=&min=q&sort=4,1
Another controversial take:
Fernando needs his number retired.
dodgerpatch, Will definitely has a chance to be a top 3 catcher. I enjoy watching him throw to second. He always seems balanced and has a good grip on the ball. He has good fundamentals throwing the ball on steal attempts. With the exception of Kershaw and Urias the Dodger pitching staff is poor keeping runners close to first base. We all know that Kenley is horrible at it and Bauer and Buehler either aren’t concerned or unable to keep a runner close. So, I think Will’s throw out stats (32.5%) could be better with a little help from his friends. And, Barnes has a terrible and inaccurate arm. But, he does a better job than Smith right now at blocking balls. Zunino was outstanding at blocking balls in the dirt. It may be that Zunino isn’t very athletic so he has learned that it’s necessary to get his entire body in front of the pitch. With Smith and Barnes being very athletic they don’t always use their body to prevent a wild pitch or passed ball. They try to use just the glove to one hand the ball. Seems kind of lazy way to get the job done. At this point Barnes does a better job with the glove stops than Smith. I too was disappointed in his defense during the postseason.
With pitch framing it seems Smith does a good job. He seems to get his fair share of calls for his efforts. Besides, that aspect of the game with be eliminated with automated strike zone.
The way things look, I think they will retire No. 34 when Fernando is dead, why wait for that to happen?
Although it should also be noted that Hershiser’s No. 55 would then have to be retired (I don’t know if I wrote the name correctly)
The Dodgers are hugely popular with the Latino community in large part because of Fernando. He was the face of the Dodgers from about 1981-86, and if Tommy hadn’t overused him until his arm fell off, he would have been at the top of his game for at least another five years and been one the Dodger greats.
I loved Fernando growing up. That he was from Mexico didn’t really matter, and actually just became one of the characteristics, like his pudginess and that eye’s-to-the-sky windup that make him unique and likable. Even Vin just stopped calling him by his full name and just called him Fernando, and that’s all that was needed. He brought all Dodger fans together and integrated LAs Hispanic community more fully into the city’s culture.
Nice write up Bear. You’re right this is the most talented and deep group we’ve ever had at catcher and it seems AF has made catching a huge priority in his signings. Fernando should have his number retired today.
Not until they retire Gil’s #14. That’s my story and I am sticking to it. That he is not in the hall is a travesty.
Nice article about McKinstry in the “Athletic”. It’s nice to see him off to a good start. I did not know he was a 33rd round draft pick. Another testimony to the Dodger’s Player Development. I love the kids moxie. He’d played like zero outfield and he got tossed out there. He’s looked new and a little shaky at times and isn’t going to win a beauty pageant out there. But he hustles and gets it done. You gotta love kids like this.
* dodgerpatch yesterday said “Kenley is just not going to be as consistent with his performance, but Roberts needs to understand this and understand how to put him in the best possible position to succeed.” That comment is so correct. Sometimes KJ can look dominating like yesterday and other times he won’t. Get used to it. He is a valuable piece when used right along with Treinen, V-Gon and Knebel and hopefully Gonsulin. Don’t throw KJ, 2 straight days and more than 3 outs. At his age inconsistency is going to be par.
By the way, fun Monday morning read on Dodger catchers Bear. Thanks
Anytime Phil As for # 34. The Dodgers have retired only one number of a player who is not in the hall. #19 for Jim Gilliam. No one has worn 34 since Fernando left, so de-facto it is retired. I would think that they might do it sometime soon since Fernando has been a part of the broadcast team for so long. And he might get into the hall as a broadcaster, same way Jamie Jarrin went in. I would not lose sleep if they did retire the number, but it is my position that until they retire #14 for the best first baseman they ever had, no one else’s should be retired unless they go in the hall. Kersh’s 22 will no doubt not be worn after he leaves. Hodges should have been in the hall a long time ago.
A couple of interesting notes. Jedd Gyorko is going to manage one of the entry league teams for MLB, former Dodger Delwyn Young is also set to manage one of the teams. A couple of signings of note. Rockies signed RHP Ivan Nova to a MLB contract and the D-Backs signed former Dodger Josh Reddick to a minor league deal.
Thank you Bear for your great articles. I have been a Dodger fan for a long time and many of your posts bring back fond memories that I otherwise would have forgotten. Your time and effort is much appreciated!!
Thanks John. The history of baseball is one of my passions. I am also heavy into US History. Playing music is also at the top of the list. Check out that photo of Hodges in catchers gear. Most people forget Gil was signed as a catcher. My next post is probably going to deal with players who have changed positions and it benefited both the team and the player. Hodges is a prime example, but there are many more.
Totally agree with Bear about Gil Hodges not being in the Hall.
The Dodgers need to decide on a standard for retiring player jerseys and stick to it. Fernando was a phenomenon and is certainly responsible for bringing in many new fans – but he was not the best pitcher that the Dodgers have had since 1981. Actually Orel Hersheiser is the leader in pitcher WAR since 1981 by a substantial margin. Claude Osteen has more wins (admittedly not since 1981). Fernando isn’t in the top 50 in W-L % in team history. Same with ERA. Or WHIP.
I know that Tommy rode him hard and overused him and that this affected his numbers, but really, Fernando had 4 really good seasons. I don’t know about retiring his uni number due to his cultural impact. And before we compare him to Jackie Robinson, Jackie had a short career for obvious reasons but put up 61 WAR in 10 seasons, compared to Fernando’s 41 WAR in 17 years.
There are others who should have unis retired before Fernando in my opinion if we aren’t going to limit it (except for Gilliam) to Hall of Famers. And Piazza’s 31 should be retired – he was with the Dodgers for the 1st 6 1/2 seasons and put together a .331/.394/.572/.966 line with the Dodgers and he’s in the Hall already.
Nice job Bear, I thought we had lost you as a writer a couple of weeks ago. Glad you stayed.
I think the Dodgers have had so many great players, great rookies (list of ROYs is a long one), it gets to the point of how many can you retire before you start running out of numbers for the boys. I don’t want to see dominated with players numbers 60 and up, that just ain’t write, plus it starts looking pretty stupid, like you are fielding a team of offensive linemen or something. Teams used to give up numbers to retirement years ago, then I think it struck them that they better “slow down Cobra” or they would start really squeezing out the available numbers. Hey if you want to honor a guy put his number up around the stadium but don’t take it away from the current players to have as an option.
Thanks Truth, I never intended to leave. I was just waiting to see if Mark was shutting down the site, and then finding interesting things to post about is the next step. I do not want to bore anyone. The Dodgers have retired 1,2,4,20,24,32,39,42,53 and 19. 10 numbers in all. Everyone except Gilliam is in the hall. I think Jr.s was retired because of the huge respect he had throughout the organization, and the fact that he was a career Dodger. He also died just prior to the 78 World Series, and he was close with most of the players on that team. So much so they dedicated the series to him. The Yankees are running out of numbers. They have retired 20 so far. They have no single digit numbers left. #8 is retired for two player’s, Berra and Dickey. Unlike most teams, they have numerous numbers retired for non Hall of Famers. 9 Maris, 15, Munson, 20, Posada, 23, Mattingly, 32, Howard, 46, Pettitte, 49, Guidry, 51, B. Williams. 42 is retired for both Jackie Robinson and Mariano Rivera who was allowed to keep the number when MLB retired it for Robinson. A couple of players have had their numbers retired by more than one team. Ryan’s number is retired by the Rangers, Angels and Astros. #34 with the Texas teams, #30 with the Angels. Aaron by Brewers and Braves, Sparky Anderson, Tigers and Reds, Fisk, Red Sox 27, White Sox 72, Reggie Jackson, 9 A’s, 44 Yankees, Greg Maddux, Braves and Cubs, Frank Robinson, Orioles and Reds, Stengel, Yankees and Mets. No reason given, but no one has worn # 34 since Fernando left the team. Not even in spring. Where as guys like Garvey, Hodges, Snider and Reese had other players wearing the numbers prior to retirement. Last player to wear # 1 Gary Weiss.
Another one?
Twins postpone matinee game vs. Red Sox after Minnesota police shooting of Daunte Wright
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-twins-postpone-matinee-game-vs-red-sox-after-minnesota-police-shooting-of-daunte-wright-183219611.html