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MLB History: Top 10 Catchers in MLB History

By Jason Evans

SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 18: Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros and catcher Brian McCann #16 of the Houston Astros meet at the pitcher's mound during a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on April 18, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Astros won the game 7-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian McCann;Gerrit Cole
SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 18: Starting pitcher Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros and catcher Brian McCann #16 of the Houston Astros meet at the pitcher's mound during a game against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field on April 18, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Astros won the game 7-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian McCann;Gerrit Cole /
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MLB History
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 18: Ernie Lombardi, the “Big Bomber” of the Boston Braves is shouldering a couple of 46-ounce baseball bats while waiting for his turn in the batting cage on September 18, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by The Stanley Weston Archive/Getty Images) /

MLB History 10., Ernie Lombardi

Lombardi played 17 seasons in the major leagues after breaking in with the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1931 season. He lasted one year with them before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds, where, he took off as a player. Lombardi didn’t make an All-Star team until 1936, but he had some excellent seasons before that, including 1935 where he hit .343 with a .918 OPS.

From 1936-1943, Lombardi made the All-Star team every year except one. In 1938, he hit .342 with a .915 OPS and won the National League MVP, even though he only led the league in batting average and nothing else.  He was a part of two pennant-winning teams with the Reds in 1939 and 1940 and helped them win the World Series in 1940.

The Reds traded him to the Boston Braves before the 1942 season, where he made another All-Star team. He lasted one year in Boston, before being dealt the New York Giants where he would stay until the end of his career after the 1947 season.

Ernie won two batting titles and hit over .300 10 of 17 years played. As a catcher. He also had an OPS of .800 or better 10 of 17 years he played.

Among catchers with 1000 games or more, Lombardi’s .306 average ranks eighth all time. His .818 OPS is 14th.

Lombardi was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986 by the veterans committee.

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