37. Yogi Berra
One of the greatest catchers in the history of the New York Yankees, Yogi Berra was known for his various malapropisms, or ‘Yogi-isms’ as they would be called.
When he was not butchering the English language or trying to get players to “pair off in threes,” he was hammering baseballs around Yankee Stadium. One of the better power hitting catchers in MLB history, Berra had twenty or more home runs in eleven different seasons, including ten in a row from 1949 through 1958. He won three MVP awards, and finished second on two other occasions, showing his value on the juggernaut Yankees squads of the 1950’s and early 1960’s.
In his impressive career, Berra posted a .285/.348/.482 batting line with 358 home runs and 321 doubles. He had an excellent eye at the plate, drawing 704 walks while striking out only 414 times in his 8,359 career plate appearances. Even though he never led the league in any offensive category, Berra was consistently in the top ten in slugging percentage and home runs, furthering his place as one of the best offensive catchers in the game.
Defensively, Berra was a solid catcher, routinely ranking among the leaders in putouts and assists. His strong arm led to a career 48.6% caught stealing rate, and he ranks third all time with 175 career stolen bases. In 1958, in his 88 games behind the plate, Berra did not commit a single error and allowed only five passed balls.
In the running for the greatest catcher in baseball history, Berra continued what would prove to be a tradition of excellent Yankees catchers that lasted through the 1970’s. A legend, not just in the Bronx, Berra was remembered for his production and his entertaining quotes.
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