On this date (June 22), twenty-five years ago (1993), 45-year-old Carlton “Pudge” Fisk started at catcher for the White Sox – in a game against the Texas Rangers in Chicago. That contest proved historic for reasons both expected and unexpected.
The contest was Fisk’s 2,499th major league game and his 2,226th behind the plate. At the time, it gave the future Hall of Famer sole possession of the MLB record for games played at catcher – moving him one past Bob Boone (whose career stretched from 1972-1990). Fisk, of course, knew that achievement was coming when he took the field. What he didn’t’ know was that it would be his last MLB game. Fisk was unexpectedly released by the White Sox six days later (June 28).
Carlton Fisk was the first American League unanimous Rookie of the Year Selection (1972).
Fisk probably also was unaware that the young (born two years after Fisk’s MLB debut) fellow starting behind the plate for the Rangers that day – another Pudge – Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez would not only join Fisk in the Hall of Fame someday, but would also break his record for games played at catcher. The 21-year-old Rodriguez was in just his third season, playing his 272nd MLB game – 263rd at catcher. Rodriguez would surpass Fisk’s record for games played at catcher on June 17, 2009 – and go on to raise the mark to 2,427.
Carlton Fisk – on May 9, 1984 (or maybe May 8) – set the record for innings caught in a single game. He was behind the plate for all 25 innings of a eight-hour (and six-minute) White Sox 7-6 win over the Brewers. Fisk went three-for-eleven at the plate (with a walk, one run, one RBI and three whiffs). Behind the dish, he recorded 17 putouts and five assists, throwing out four of six would-be base stealers. Fisk did,however, get a bit of a “rest” in the contest. The game began on May 8, was suspended after 18-innings and completed on May 9.
For those who are interested, during his 24-season (1969, 1971-1993), 2,499-game MLB career, Carlton Fisk hit ..269, collecting 2,356 safeties, 376 home runs, 1,276 runs scored, 1,330 RBI and 128 stolen bases. He was the 1972 AL Rookie of the year, an All Star in eleven seasons and a Gold Glover once. His best season was 1977, when he went .315-26-102 for the Red Sox. He hit a career-high 37 home runs in 1985 (White Sox), swiped a career high 17 bases in 1982 & 1985 (White Sox) and led the AL in triples in 1972 with nine (Red Sox).
The only MLB catchers to lead their league in triples are: Buck Ewing (20 for the 1884 Giants); Tim McCarver (13 for the Cardinals in 1966); Carlton Fisk (nine for the Red Sox in 1972).
Ivan Rodriguez, played 21 MLB seasons (1991-2011), hitting .296, with 3,844 hits, 311 home runs, 1,354 runs scored and 1,332 RBI. He was an All Star in 14 campaigns, a 13-time Gold Glover and the 1999 American League MVP. . His best season was his 1999 MVP year (Rangers), when he hit .332-35-113 and tossed in 25 of his 127 career stolen bases.
Catcher Who Won MLB MVP awards:
AL: Mickey Cochrane (Athletics, 1928 & Tigers, 1934); Yogi Berra (Yankees, 1951, 1954, 1955); Elston Howard (Yankees, 1963); Thurmon Mundson (Yankees, 1976); Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers, 1999); Joe Mauer (Twins, 2009).
NL: Bob O’Farrell (Cardinals, 1926); Gabby Hartnett (Cubs, 1935); Ernie Lombardi (Reds, 1938); Roy Campanella (Dodgers, 1951, 1953, 1955); Johnny Bench ( Reds, 1970, 1972); Buster Posey (Giants, 2012).
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