Lieberthal, Chooch leading ... for now
How many Phillies catchers have caught 100 games at age 33? The answer is two, but it could grow by one this season.
First, for most games caught in Phillies history we turn to this Media Guide chart:
• 1,139 games: Mike Lieberthal (1994-2006)
• 1,124 games: Red Dooin (1902-14)
• 1,095 games: Bob Boone (1972-81)
• 1,029 games: Carlos Ruiz (2006-16)
• 965 games: Darren Daulton (1983; 1985-95)
Of that group, Lieberthal and Ruiz are the only ones with 100 at age 33. In 2005, Lieby, 117 games (113 starts). Chooch in 2012, 106 (95). For Lieby it was his last season of seven, 100+ games behind the plate. Ruiz also had seven such seasons including 109/104 at age 35 in 2014.
Boone might have been the first. He caught 75 games in 1981 when a players’ strike reduced the season from 162 to 107 games. In 1982, he began seven straight such seasons with the Angels. Then with the Royals at age 41 he caught 129/127.
Falling short were Dooin (58) and Daulton (95).
Also checked other Phillies catchers through the years via baseball-reference.com. Zero.
Enter J.T.
Realmuto turned 33 this February 18. His track record with the Phillies should make him the third. And he could blow by Lieby’s 117 games.
Since being acquired in a 2019 trade, Realmuto’s catching numbers are astronomical, 2019 (133 games-130 starts), 2020 (36-35), 2021 (118-112), 2022 and 2023 (133-130). Putting it mildly, he’s a workhorse. The BCIB (best catcher in baseball).
He’s still a young man but in the world of catchers, he’s getting up there. There’s a lot of wear and tear on catchers, bulky equipment, foul balls, endless crouching, heat, day games after night games and hustling to get the gear on after making the last out while the between-the-inning clock is ticking. Mentally, pre-game meetings, focusing on your pitcher and enemy batters, forgetting about a bad at-bat and umpire disagreements. No time to daydream
Realmuto may be the Phillies’ most athletic catcher ever. He keeps himself in shape.
While his 553 games are a long way from crashing the Phillies top five, don’t count him out. The Phillies are among the leaders when it comes to analytical research and development, medical services, conditioning, nutrition, mental performance coaches and hitting/pitching labs.
So, who is the last big leaguer to catch 100 games at age 33? St. Louis’ Yadier Molina, 146 games (142 starts) during the 2016 season.
All-Time, 2,000 Games, Catchers
Ivan Rodriquez (2,247)
Carlton Fisk (2,226)
Bob Boone (2,225)
Yadier Molina (2,184)
Gary Carter (2,056)
Jason Kendall (2,025)