[nolan5000]

which pudge are you guys talking about-

I didn't even know that there was more than one. All I knew was Ivan.

[djohn]

I can't believe nobody mentioned Gary Carter. I am torn between Gary Carter and Ivan Rodriguez, but then again they are my 2 favorite players of all time. I was a big fan of Carter and when he retired I searched for a catcher that looked like he was the next great catcher and found that in Ivan Rodriguez.

[aprirr]

Of course, I doubt anyone here was around to see Mickey Cochrane or Gabby Hartnett play. I've heard they were pretty good!

[DrMitchJ]

Growing up, my next door neighbor was a minor league catcher stuck in the Brooklyn Dodgers organization when Campanella was in his heyday ... he said there was nobody better than Campy.

My father would tell me there was nobody more 'clutch' than Yogi, and he also 'called' a great game! On his 'days off" when Elston took over behind the dish, he even managed to play a decent left field in old Yankee Stadium while calling pitches from the outfield.!!!

I was a huge Thurman fan growing up, and thought that he had the potential to be one of the best ... we know how THAT turned out.

I've heard about the overwhelming power of Josh Gibson, but never really heard much about his "behind the plate" skills.

I was always impressed with Pudge ... he had amazing skills and I got to see a lot of him with the Marlins. He was clutch, and tough, and everywhere he played, the pitching staff was always above average ... coinsidence?

But who was/is the best of all time??? That's tough .... I'd have to go with Yogi's impressive career #1. Pudge as a close second, then Campy or Gibson in 3rd. Thurman just never had a long enough career.

[nyyankeesfan28]

Bench, Berra, Josh Gibson, Fisk, Ivan Rodriguez, and Bill Dickey come to mind.

[kelbysdaddy]

I didn't even know that there was more than one. All I knew was Ivan.

Fisk was called pudge also.

[ehoffmaster]

Defense. Benito was Pretty tough
All Around.I would have to Say Pudge or Berra

This was my first thought about this thread.

[jacobystealshome]

defensively: benny is up there, so was charles johnson (if we are gonna talk about defensively underrated)

all-time? id give it to ivan rodriguez for defense, and a lot of that has to do with how good he was for how long. really kind of incredible

[uvaspina]

Well, according to benitosantiago.net, Benito was "one of the MLB greatest catchers of all time." So, there's that.

(I will confess, his website's theme song is pretty sweet. I want my work to start playing this song in the morning when I get off the elevator.)

[nyyankeesfan28]

Well, that settles it, uvaspina