With the hiring of Tony Pena as Kansas City's new manager, the number of
current ex-catcher managers in major league baseball is now 10 or 33.3 percent of the total, the highest of any fielding position. Ex-outfielders number 7 (23.3%), DH-OF have 2 (6.67%), SS have 4 (13.3%). 3B with 3 (10%), 2B with 2 (6.67%) and there is 1 ex-1B (3.33%) and 1 non-major leaguer (3.33%).
From 1871 to the present, there have been 628 major league managers, of which 102 have been catchers. That's
roughly 16.6% of the total, even though the number of catchers represent only about 10% of the 15,000+ who have played in the majors.
The ex-positions are based upon the "most often played by games" position, although several managers have played more than one position during their playing days. In fact, current managers Lloyd McClendon (OF), Clint Hurdle (OF) and Bobby Valentine (SS) caught a few games themselves. The W-L managerial records for ex-catchers is around .500, second place to former second basemen who have won 51% of their games. Ex-catchers have managed more than 67,000 games since 1871 in some 532 team seasons. The average ex-catcher manages around 5.3 seasons in the majors.
The current ex-catcher list includes:
Mike Scioscia (Anaheim Angels - AL)
Bob Brenly (Arizona Diamondbacks - NL)
Bob Boone (Cincinnati Reds - NL)
Jeff Torborg (Florida Marlins - NL)
Joe Torre (New York Yankees - AL)
Bruce Bochy (San Diego Padres - NL)
Jerry Narron (Texas Rangers - AL)
Buck Martinez (Toronto Blue Jays - AL)
Tony Pena (Kansas City Royals - AL)
Luis Pujols (Detroit Tigers - AL)
These guys have accumulated 46 years major league management experience in more than 6,600 games and have a W-L record around .498. They have won 5 World Series and six League Championships. Joe Torre leads the pack with 21 years managing followed by Bruce Bochy with seven.
» Chuck Rosciam runs the Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers at http://www.baseballcatchers.com
Also by Chuck Rosciam
» Iron Men Catchers: Catching the Majority of a Team's Games
» All-Star Catchers
» Pitching Catchers: A Complete Battery
» Catching, A Family Affair: A Father's Day Tribute
» Amateur Draft Catchers
» Gold & Silver Catchers
» Catching Three No-Hitters
» More submissions
Posted May 24, 2002.
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