New York Yankees: All-time switch hitter team
By Ed Stein
Catcher
Starter – The first of a few no-brainer selections, Jorge Posada, was an offensive force. A member of the New York Yankees core four of the mid-1990s through the 2000s, he was a player the team counted on for production at the plate. This might ruffle some feathers, but Posada is the third-best Yankees offensive catcher ever. Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey are one and two, no doubt, then comes Posada.
- Games played – 1,829, 2nd catchers, 8th all NYY history
- At-bats – 6,092, 3rd, 12th
- Hits – 1,664, 3rd, 14th
- Runs – 900, 3rd, 18th
- Doubles – 379, 1st, 7th
- Home Runs – 275, 2nd, 8th
- RBI – 1,065, 3rd, 8th
- Slugging (min 1,500 PA) – .474, 4th, 30th
- OPS (min 1,500 PA) – .848, 3rd, 25th
After looking at those numbers compared to some of the greatest players in Yankees history, not only of just catchers, consider that Posada is a switch hitter. He easily belongs on this team. In my opinion, Posada also belongs in the Hall of Fame. He is the best switch-hitting catcher ever.
Sub – Butch Wynegar was a very good defensive catcher during his five seasons in New York Yankees pinstripes. He finished in the top five among American League backstops in range factor, four times, double plays turned, twice; and zone runs, caught stealing percentage, and fielding percentage, one time each.