The MLB catcher Mount Rushmore

In contemplating the faces that ought to be carved onto a current MLB catchers Mt. Rushmore, one question overwhelms all the others: Who’s the fourth face?

Three identities are easy to determine. They each meet most, if not all, the requirements for inclusion among the current game’s dominant figures.  We’ll get to those momentarily.

Finding the players for the MLB catcher Mount Rushmore

But there is no clear fourth candidate for a catcher’s Mt. Rushmore.

Let’s begin with the criteria. To be considered for true positional dominance, catchers must be projected to be their team’s regular at the position in 2021.

• He must also have as many as possible of the following:
• An established reputation, reflecting at least five seasons – ideally 10 – as a regular.
• Significant post-season experience, including at least one World Series ring.
• A demonstrated ability to control the running game, and to handle a pitching staff.
• Recognition as a Gold Glove fielder and/or All Star selection, the more frequently the better.
• The reputation, among players and those who get paid to analyze the game, as a front-rank performer.

Although it isn’t a specific requirement to Rushmore-level status, it also helps if catchers are closely identified with one team.

Catcher is probably the most difficult position to stand out at, in part because other than pitcher it comes closest to a part-time position in the modern game.

Even during the truncated 2020 season, only five catchers started as many as two-thirds of their team’s games. In 2019, only two – J.T. Realmuto and Yasmani Grandal – did so. Not since 2016, when Yadier Molina did it,  has any catcher missed as few as 20 of their team’s games.

Let’s begin by looking at the three obvious choices, then try to determine who ought to get the final spot.