#1
of 20
Johnny Bench
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Bench set the gold standard for offensive dominance at catcher in a pitching-heavy era. His 1970–72 peak, including two MVP awards, represents arguably the greatest three-year stretch ever at the position. A 126 career OPS+ in the 1970s National League carries enormous contextual weight. He combined elite power with durability while anchoring a dynasty. He wasn’t compiling stats—he was driving championships. When peak, longevity, and era are balanced, he remains the benchmark.
Career Numbers
.267
AVG
2,048
Hits
389
HR
1,376
RBI
68
SB
.817
OPS
Johnny Bench at No. 1
This slide covers number 1 of 20 in Top 20 Catchers in History of MLB Baseball: Johnny Bench. Johnny Bench's career numbers on the card: a .267 average, 389 home runs and 2,048 hits. The card also lists a .817 OPS and 68 stolen bases. Johnny Bench debuted in the 1960s, and the Explore links below open that decade's page and the list of players born in USA. Mike Piazza follows at 2. The ranking and the write-up above it are the list's editorial judgment; the career numbers come from the same tables as the player pages.