Post by sharksrog on Nov 21, 2021 17:25:48 GMT -5
Back in Buster's early days, he had a couple of detractors here. One suggested he play first base, and the other thought he wasn't a very good catcher, although that poster has since agreed that while he wasn't always pretty, Buster got the job done.
I just wanted to point out how well he got the job done. Buster had only 27 career passed balls in 1093 games as a catcher. That's more than 40 games per passed ball. Bengie Molina was a pretty good catcher for the Giants, and he had 78 career passed balls in 1285. In other words, he had about 2 1/2 times as many passed balls per game as Buster did.
Bengie's brother Yadier might join Buster in the Hall of Fame -- primarily on his defense. Yadier has 95 career passed balls in 2107 games, or about twice as many per game as Buster. And Yadier is considered the best defensive catcher of this generation.
I don't have easy access to wild pitches allowed by catchers, but I know from previous study that Buster was quite miserly in that area as well. Buster has been above-average at throwing out runners, even though he hasn't always had pitchers who held runners on base well. And on balls hit out in front of the plate, Buster is considered as good as anyone. And Buster has seemed to be a master at handling most pitchers.
I think is his combination of offense and defense that will get Buster into the Hall. His character will help, as well. He's extremely popular with the writers, which shouldn't matter but which certainly can't hurt.
I just wanted to point out how well he got the job done. Buster had only 27 career passed balls in 1093 games as a catcher. That's more than 40 games per passed ball. Bengie Molina was a pretty good catcher for the Giants, and he had 78 career passed balls in 1285. In other words, he had about 2 1/2 times as many passed balls per game as Buster did.
Bengie's brother Yadier might join Buster in the Hall of Fame -- primarily on his defense. Yadier has 95 career passed balls in 2107 games, or about twice as many per game as Buster. And Yadier is considered the best defensive catcher of this generation.
I don't have easy access to wild pitches allowed by catchers, but I know from previous study that Buster was quite miserly in that area as well. Buster has been above-average at throwing out runners, even though he hasn't always had pitchers who held runners on base well. And on balls hit out in front of the plate, Buster is considered as good as anyone. And Buster has seemed to be a master at handling most pitchers.
I think is his combination of offense and defense that will get Buster into the Hall. His character will help, as well. He's extremely popular with the writers, which shouldn't matter but which certainly can't hurt.