Mike Napoli

When the Chicago Cubs appointed Mike Napoli as their quality assurance coach in 2019, they knew his potential as a player. He has been more than reliable since and was promoted to the first base coach before the 2022 season. Anyone who knew him as a player would hardly be surprised by his knowledge of the game.

Napoli began his career with the Butter Cupper Kings in 2000 before making his Major League Baseball debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2006. He went on to play for the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox, where he holds the all-time single-season records for most strikeouts.

Alex Avila

When Alex Avila made his major league debut for the Detroit Tigers in 2009, he hit the ground running and made a name for himself at the club before playing for the Chicago White Sox, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Minnesota Twins. In the course of his career, he won the Silver Slugger Trophy for playing for his third team in three seasons.

Before hanging his boots at the MLB, Avila was selected for the American League All-Star, and like his father, he returned to the Detroit Tigers as Assistant Counsel, Baseball Relations for the Tigers after his retirement in 2021. He is nicknamed as "The Titanium Catcher."

Johnny Bench

Staying at one club for 17 seasons is not something that most baseball players achieve, but Johnny Bench is an exception. Between 1967 and 1983, he played with the Cincinnati Reds of the National League, where he earned himself the reputation of being arguably the finest catcher of all time.

Throughout his career, Bench popularized the one-handed catching style and went on to win ten consecutive Golden Glove Awards as part of the Big Red Machine, the Reds team that dominated the National League in the mid-1970s. Unsurprisingly, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989, after his retirement. He was a fourteen-time All-Star Player.

Yadier Molina

Defensive catchers have a huge responsibility on their baseball teams, but Yadier Molina cherished his role and went on to become one of the best of all time for his blocking ability as well as his caught-stealing percentage. He must be among the most loyal players, as he stayed with the St. Louis Cardinals all his career despite interest in his services elsewhere.

Molina finally hung up his boots with nine Rawlings Gold Gloves and six Fielding Bible Awards to his name. He couldn't stay away for long, though, as he became the manager of the Puerto Rico national team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Mike Stanley

Starting out as a college player and making it through to the major league is every basketball player's dream come true. For Mike Stanley, it took discipline, dedication, and hard work to step up from playing for the University of Florida to play for professional teams like the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, and Texas Rangers.

The early '90s were the most successful years in Stanley's career, as he was an American League All-Star in 1995, won the Silver Slugger Award, and became a member of the 1995 Yankees' wild-card team. After retiring, he became an assistant baseball coach at Lake Highland Preparatory School.

Buster Posey

Not many athletes are able to represent one team for their entire professional careers, but Buster Posey is among the few who can. After making his Major League debut for the San Francisco Giants in 2009, he stayed with them for twelve seasons, establishing himself as one of the most prolific catchers in the game.

He won himself almost every award there is, being named Rookie of the Year in 2010 and the National League's Most Valuable Player in 2012. In 2021, he surprisingly retired early at the age of 34 and joined the Giants' ownership group, having fulfilled his potential as a player.

Jim Sundberg

Any long-time baseball lover can definitely remember Jim Sundberg for his productive time with the Texas Rangers, where he spent 11 seasons of his career and was a three-time all-star. He also played catcher for the Kansas City Royals, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the Chicago Cubs.

Sundberg was famous for his strong defense, winning six Gold Glove Awards during his career, as well as being a solid hitter, ending his career with a batting average of 143 home runs and 776 runs batted in. Since retiring in 1989, he has worked as a broadcaster for the Texas Rangers and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2005.

Jason Kendall

The '90s brought some of the best baseball players to the field, and Jason Kendall was one of them. Having made his debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996, he swiftly established himself among the best catchers of his time. He went on to play for the Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Milwaukee Brewers.

Kendall was a three-time All-Star and also won a Golden Glove Award in 2000 for his consistent catching technique. He will also be remembered as a stolen-base threat. After ending his career in Major League Baseball in 2010, he went on to rejoin the Pirates as a mentor to minor leaguers.

Lance Parrish

Lance Parrish, also known as the "Big Wheel," will forever be remembered as one of the greatest catchers in baseball history. His career started in the Detroit Tigers minors before earning a Major League Baseball promotion. He played for them for ten seasons, helping them to the 1984 World Series Championship.

Parrish was also selected as an All-Star eight times and won six silver slugger awards and three gold glove awards in the 19 seasons he spent in the MLB. He also played for the California Angels, the Seattle Mariners, and the Toronto Blue Jays before hanging up his boots in 1996.

Kurt Suzuki

Baseball catchers are mainly selected due to their skills, work ethic, and leadership abilities, and Kurt Suzuki possessed all three in abundance during his entire 15 seasons in Major League Baseball. He played for the Washington Nationals, the Oakland Athletics, the Minnesota Twins, and the Atlanta Braves during this period.

Suzuki had a strong defense behind the plate and incredible handling of the pitching staff. His prowess didn't go unnoticed, though, as he earned an All-Star selection in 2014. For someone who has won the Johnny Bench Award as the country's top college catcher, he took his career to heights he'll be proud of.

Russell Martin

Becoming a baseball team's everyday catcher comes on something other than a silver platter. Russell Martin had whatever it took to do so immediately after making his debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006. He continued in the role for five years, winning the Gold Glove and the Silver Slugger Awards in 2007.

Martin's career after the Dodgers included stints with the Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees, and the Pittsburgh Pirates. His offensive and defensive performances made him a valuable asset for every team he played for before retiring in 2022. We'll be hoping he makes a return in a managerial capacity.

Victor Martinez

Victor Martinez is a former baseball player who played predominantly as a designated hitter for the majority of his 16-year career. His career included productive stints with the Cleveland Indians, the Boston Red Sox, and the Detroit Tigers. Though he was mainly a hitter, he also made a reputation for himself as a part-time catcher.

Martinex was a standout offensive player, finishing his career with a.295 batting average and 309 home runs. Some of his major achievements and awards include winning the Silver Slugger Award twice, the Edgar Martinez Award once, and finishing runner-up for the American League Most Valuable Player in 2014.

Brian McCann

There's almost nothing in a baseball player's career that comes close to matching the excitement of making their Major League Baseball debut. When Brian McCann made his debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2005, his expectations of a stellar career at the top level had taken a huge boost, and he took the chance with both hands.

In his 14-year career, McCann also played for the New York Yankees and the Houston Astros, getting selected as an All-Star seven times, winning the Silver Slugger Award six times, and playing a huge role in the Astros' 2017 World Series winning run before eventually retiring in 2019.

Joe Mauer

Joe Mauer is a former professional baseball player who spent his entire 15-year Major League Baseball career with the Minnesota Twins. During this period, he mostly played catcher and designated hitter, establishing himself as one of the best catchers of all time and becoming a six-time All-Star.

Mauer's career with the twins was nothing short of impressive, and his awards cabinet proves that. He has to his name three Gold Glove Awards, five Silver Slugger Awards, and the 2009 Most Valuable Player Award. To round it off, he is the only catcher in history to win three batting titles and the only one to win it in the American League.

Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza is the ideal baseball legend that every aspiring player should look to for inspiration, and the numbers don't lie. During his 16-year career in Major League Baseball, he was selected as an All-Star 12 times and won the Silver Slugger Award 10 times.

Piazza spent most of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, where he earned his reputation as one of the best-hitting catchers in the history of baseball. His brief stints with the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and Oakland Athletics further staked his claim and boosted his impressive offensive numbers.

Javy Lopez

Major League Baseball has seen some great right-handed pitchers and batters over the years, and Javy Lopez has to be among the best. Well known for his time with the Atlanta Braves, where he played from 1992 to 2003, he was named an All-Star three times and won the World Series with the Braves in 1995.

Lopez furthered his career with brief spells with the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston Red Sox before finally retiring in 2006. With a .287 batting career average and 324 home runs, he was also recognized internationally, having been Puerto Rico's Athlete of the Year from 1984 to 1987.

Chris Iannetta

Most baseball players wait until they are playing in Major League Baseball before they give it their all, but not Chris Iannetta. While playing college baseball for the North Carolina Tar Heels and the University of North Carolina, he was already making waves with his catching, which led to his being handed his debut for the Colorado Rookies in 2006.

Iannetta also played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, the New York Yankees, and the Seattle Mariners. Moreover, it was at the height of his career that he was selected for Team USA at the 2009 World Baseball Classic. His power at the plate and defense behind it will be sorely missed.

Mike Scioscia

Mike Scioscia is a retired professional baseball player who spent most of his career as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His achievements over the course of his 13-year playing career include winning two World Series and being selected as an All-Star twice. And though he was regarded as a slow runner, he was one of the best defensive catchers of his time.

Scioscia also became the first player in MLB history to spend his whole career as a player with one team and his entire managerial stint with another after coaching the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for 18 seasons from 2000 to 2018.

Matt Wieters

When the Baltimore Orioles drafted Wieters in the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, he became one of the most exciting prospects in the game. With all the buzz surrounding his 2009 debut, he had to be at his best, and he not only managed to do that but maintained the high standards throughout his ten-year MLB career.

Wieters was selected as an All-Star four times and won two Gold Glove Awards for his massive contribution to ever team he played for. After leaving the Orioles in 2016, he also played for the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals before hanging up his boots.

Bob Boone

Being selected as an all-star is a luxury that not many baseball players get to experience in the course of their careers. However, Bob Boone prides himself on being one of the best baseball catchers in the history of the sport, and his four all-star selections are more than enough proof.

Boone began his career in the minor leagues before being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies and making his MLB debut in 1972. One of his major achievements with the team was leading them to win the 1980 World Series. Before retiring in 1990, he played for the California Angels and the Kansas City Royals.

Brad Ausmus

Having a strong defense behind the plate as well as being a solid hitter is all any baseball player can wish for, and Brad Ausmus proudly had all that in abundance. During his 18-year Major League Baseball career, he played for the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros, and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ausmus' prowess on the pitch didn't go unnoticed, as he has to his name a 1999 All-Star selection, three Gold Glove Awards, and the Darryl Kile Award for integrity and courage. Ausmus worked as a special assistant to the general manager of the San Diego Padres before leaving to become the manager of the Detroit Tigers.

Ivan Rodriguez

Ivan Rodriguez is widely recognized as one of the best catchers Major League Baseball has ever seen. This is mainly due to his time with the Texas Rangers, who took up the majority of his playing career. He also had brief spells with the Florida Marlins, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, and Washington Nationals.

Rodriguez ranks second on the major league career leader list in putouts by catchers. He was also named the AL's Most Valuable Player in 1999, won the Silver Slugger Award seven times, was selected as an All-Star a whopping 14 times, and won the Gold Glove Award 13 times.

Joe Torre

Most people only know Joe Torre as one of the best MLB managers of his time. What they don't know is that the best of his talent was evident as a player when he was considered among the best catchers of all time. In the course of his career, he played for the Milwaukee Braves, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the New York Mets.

Torre exceeded expectations by becoming the first and only player in the major leagues to have amassed more than 2,000 hits while playing and more than 2,000 victories while managing. After retiring, he also served as the Major League Baseball chief baseball officer.

Tim McCarver

Tim McCarver is famous for his work as a television sports commentator. Before switching careers, he was a renowned baseball catcher for 21 years, playing for several MLB teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Montreal Expos, Philadelphia Phillies, and St. Louis Cardinals.

McCarver's proficiency at what he did got him selected as an All-Star twice and become part of two World Series-winning teams. His television career has been stellar, and he has won three Emmys for his journalistic efforts. This also contributed to his being inducted into the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010. He was a two-time All-Star player.

Ted Simmons

Ted Simmons was not only lucky to be selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the tenth overall pick during the 1967 amateur player draft, but he had earned it. While it took him some time to catch up with the pace of the MLB, he has the time of his career between 1971 and 1980, during which he was one of the best catchers in the league.

Simmons also played for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Atalanta Braves and led all catchers in career hits and doubles upon retirement. He didn't leave empty-handed, though, with eight All-Star selections and a Silver Slugger Award.

Carlton Fisk

As one of the greatest catchers of all time, there is a reason why Carlton Fisk was nicknamed "The Commander." This has everything to do with his evident prowess on the pitch, and he never shied away from aiming higher. His achievements during his time with the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox were deserved.

Among Fisk's accolades are 11 All-Star selections, a Gold Glove Award, three Silver Slugger Awards, and two of his shirt numbers retired. His strong offense and defense behind the plate led to his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. At his retirement, he held most home runs by a catcher.