MLB: Hall of Fame All Snubbed Team

Courtesy USA Today

Catcher: Bill Freehan 

This was a tight race. Freehan and Elston Howard were elite catchers in the 1960’s and Ted Simmons was one of the best catchers during the 1970s and early 1980’s. Simmons was a great hitter and among the leaders in many offensive categories for the position. Thurman Munson would likely get more consideration if his career wasn’t cut short by a fatal plane crash in his 11th season.

Ultimately Freehan put up the most impressive numbers. Howard would likely have gotten the nod, but he was behind Yogi Berra until his was 30.

Freehan’s 11 all-star appearances are tied for ninth among catchers.  He and Howard have the most All-Star appearances by a  catcher not in the Hall-of-Fame. His seven consecutive All-Star Starts as the All-Star catcher is third all-time. Only Ivan Rodriguez‘s nine and Yogi Berra’s eight are ahead of Freehan.

Freehan’s five Gold Gloves are the fifth most by a catcher. His .993 fielding percentage was the major league record for a catcher from 1967-94. He was also the active leader from 1967-76. That stretch was during the same era as Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, Howard, and Munson.

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