San Francisco Giants: Top Ten Catchers in Team History
The San Francisco Giants were founded in 1883. They have won more games than any team in Major League baseball history. This is our first All-Time list of the off-season, looking at the greatest catchers in team history.
The San Francisco Giants have had some amazing catchers in their history. Thanks to Baseball Reference, we have the ability to compare catchers from different eras and from different centuries. We will be able to compare Giants from both New York and San Francisco, dating back to the beginning of our national pastime.
Where does current San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey land on our list? You’ll have to read to find out.
Oct 24, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; A general view of a Major League baseball during work out day prior to the start of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
10. Dick Dietz (1966-1971)
Wins Above Replacement: 11.6
Dietz played six seasons with the Giants. He went to the All-Star game in 1970 and finished that season with a slashline of .300/.426/.515 for an OPS of .941.
Overall, he played 563 career games at catcher in San Francisco and had a career slashline with the Giants of .262/.384/.431 for an OPS of .815.
May 21, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; A detailed view of Major League Baseball baseballs baring the signature of Robert Manfred Jr. before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
9. Shanty Hogan (1928-1932)
Wins Above Replacement: 11.7
Hogan played five seasons with the Giants. His best season was his first in 1928. He finished 8th in the Most Valuable Player voting and had a slashline of .333/.406/.477 for an OPS of .883.
Overall, he played 618 career games at catcher in New York and had a career slashline with the Giants of .311/.363/.439 for an OPS of .802.
Mar 12, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Hector Sanchez (29) sprays his glove prior to a game against the Chicago White Sox at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
8. Wes Westrum (1947-1957)
Wins Above Replacement: 12.1
Westrum played 11 seasons with the Giants. His went to two All-Star games in 1952 and 1953, but his best season was in 1951. Even though he had a batting average of .219, he had a slashline of .219/.400/.418 for an OPS of .818. He finished 1951 with 20 home runs, 70 runs batted in and 104 walks. Most importantly, he was the team’s catcher for the Giants last World Series championship in New York in 1954.
Overall, he played 919 career games at catcher in New York and had a career slashline with the Giants of .217/.356.373 for an OPS of .729.
Jul 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; A view of a San Francisco Giants baseball hat and glove during the game between the Texas Rangers and the San Francisco Giants at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The Rangers defeated the Giants 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
7. Bob Brenly (1981-1989)
Wins Above Replacement: 12.1
Brenly played nine seasons with the Giants. His went to the All-Star game in 1984, where he had a slashline of .291/.352/.464 for an OPS of .816. He finished 1984 with 20 home runs, 80 runs batted in and finished 21st in the MVP voting. His presence in the locker room was felt during the team’s resurgence in the late 1980’s, when the team finally made it back to the post-season and ultimately the World Series in 1987 and 1989, respectively.
Overall, he played 823 career games at catcher in San Francisco and had a career slashline with the Giants of .250/.333/.408 for an OPS of .740.
Jun 15, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Detail view of a ball in a glove before the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Chicago White Sox at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
6. Harry Danning (1933-1942)
Wins Above Replacement: 15.5
Danning played ten seasons with the Giants. His went to four straight All-Star games from 1938-1941. His best season was 1939, where he had a slashline of .313/.359/.479 for an OPS of .838. Danning finished every season from 1937 to 1941 among the finalists for the Most Valuable Player award, finishing as high as seventh in 1940. He also played in two World Series in 1936 and 1937.
Overall, he played 890 career games at catcher in New York and had a career slashline with the Giants of .285/.330/.415 for an OPS of .745.
Aug 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; General view of a San Francisco Giants hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the third inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
5. Tom Haller (1961-1967)
Wins Above Replacement: 19.0
Haller played seven seasons with the Giants. His went to two All-Star games as a Giant in 1966 and 1967. In 1966, he hit 27 home runs and drove in 67 runs, His best season, according to WAR, was 1967, where he had a slashline of .251/.344/.415 for an OPS of .759. Haller was traded after the 1967 season to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers, which turned out to be the first trade between the teams since their move from New York.
Overall, he played 761 career games at catcher in San Francisco and had a career slashline with the Giants of .248/.340/.431 for an OPS of .770.
Oct 14, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; A member of the grounds crew prepares the home plate area prior to game one of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series between the Cleveland Indians and the Toronto Blue Jays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
4. Chief Meyers (1909-1915)
Wins Above Replacement: 21.4
Meyers played seven seasons with the Giants. His finished in the top 10 in the MVP voting for three straight seasons from 1911-1913, finished as high as third in 1912. In 1912, he had his best season, according to WAR, with a slashline of .358/.441/.477 for an OPS .918.
Overall, he played 840 career games at catcher in New York and had a career slashline with the Giants of .301/.376/.390 for an OPS of .766.
May 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Ball and glove on the field during batting practice prior MLB game between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays the at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
3. Roger Bresnahan (1902-1908)
Wins Above Replacement: 27.2
Bresnahan played seven seasons with the Giants. The Hall of Fame catcher played 17 seasons in Major League baseball. His best season with the Giants was in 1908, with a WAR of 5.9. For six seasons, from 1903-1908, He had at least a 3.5 Win season.
Overall, he played 751 career games at catcher in New York and had a career slashline with the Giants of .293/.403/.393 for an OPS of .795.
Mar 11, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; A San Francisco Giants giants hat sits in a bucket of baseballs during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
2. Buck Ewing (1883-1892)
Wins Above Replacement: 33.2
Ewing played nine seasons with the Giants. The Hall of Fame catcher played 18 seasons in Major League baseball. His best season with the Giants was in 1888, with a WAR of 4.8. For all nine seasons of his Giants career, he averaged over a 3 Win season, along with five seasons over 4.
Overall, he played 751 career games at catcher in New York and had a career slashline with the Giants of .293/.403/.393 for an OPS of .795.
Jun 17, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
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Wins Above Replacement: 33.5
Posey won Rookie of the Year in 2010, Comeback Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player in 2012 and won his first Gold Glove this season. He has led a pitching staff and lineup to three World Series trophies and has been to four All-Star games. With his bat and glove, he has now established himself as the best catcher in the game. He has also earned a collectively higher WAR than both Hall of Famers in team history.
Overall, over 899 career games with the Giants so far, he has a slashline of .307/.373/.476 for an OPS of .848. 699 of those games have been at catcher.
It’s pretty outstanding that the Giants current catcher is the greatest catcher in team history. As fans, we are literally witnessing history before our eyes.
Be sure to check back for other top ten lists of the greatest San Francisco Giants of all-time with Around the Foghorn.
