Phillies catching for the 2018 Whiz Kids
By Tal Venada
In ’50, the red pinstripes had Andy Seminick, 29. And although he whacked 24 homers with 68 RBIs each in 1949 and 1950, the latter was his career year because he hit .288 but only .256 the prior summer. The second highest average for the catcher was .264 for 14 seasons.
Backing him up behind the plate was Stan Lopata, 24, who batted .271 in ’49 but didn’t have as much playing time in ’50 because of Seminick’s solid hitting. In other words, the younger receiver averaged .209 for only 129 at-bats. His career numbers, on the other hand, were .290 in 1954 and 32 home runs with 95 RBIs in 1956.
After Cameron Rupp hit .252 with 16 long balls and 54 RBIs in 2016, he earned having until May’s end to be productive. But if you remember, his average was .125 for 24 ABs through April 12, and some fans felt Jorge Alfaro should replace him. Well, Rupp’s line is now .263 with three homers and six RBIs because he’s batted.327 since April 12. Ergo, patience matters.
"FOOD FOR THOUGHT: “A catcher must want to catch. He must make up his mind that it isn’t the terrible job it is painted, and that he isn’t going to say every day, ‘Why, oh why with so many other positions in baseball did I take up this one.'” – Bill “The Man Nobody Knows” Dickey"