In the 52 seasons the Mets have played, they have had 23 different catchers who would be considered their “primary” catcher in any given season. The following players have caught the most games in a Mets uniform. (seasons as the primary catcher in parenthesis)
10. Vance Wilson (2003) – Vance appeared in 255 games as catcher (165 starts) and also spent a couple of seasons as Mike Piazza’s backup and became their primary catcher during Mike’s injury plagued 2003 season. That year, he hit .243 with 8 HR and 39 RBI.
9. Ramon Castro – Ramon was never the primary catcher during his Mets career, but did serve as the understudy to Mike Piazza, Paul LoDuca, and Brian Schneider during his tenure. He appeared in 256 games behind the plate (185 starts) and in 2007, he hit .285 with 11 HR and 31 RBI in 35 starts. In 2007, he started a career high 57 games.
8. Mackey Sasser (1990) – Mackey appeared in 261 games as catcher (183 starts). In 1990, he hit .307 with 6 HR and 41 RBI.
7. Josh Thole (2011-12) – Josh appeared in 279 games behind the plate (247 starts). In 2011, he hit .268 with 3 HR and 40 RBI.
6. Ron Hodges (1983) – Ron played his entire 12 year MLB career as a Met, primarily as a backup to Jerry Grote, John Stearns, Alex Trevino, and Mike Fitzgerald. He caught 445 games (369 starts) and in 1983, he hit .260 with 0 HR and 21 RBI when he started a career high 73 games.
5. Gary Carter (1985-88). The Kid caught 566 games (550 starts) and in 1985 he hit .281 with 32 HR and 100 RBI. The Hall of Famer made 4 consecutive All-Star teams as a Met (1985-88) and two Silver Sluggers with the Mets (1985-86).
4. John Stearns (1977-79, 1981-82). John caught 698 games (651 starts). In 1978, he hit .264 with 15 HR, 73 RBI, and 25 stolen bases.
3. Todd Hundley (1992-97). A solid defensive catcher like his father Randy, Todd caught 745 games (647 starts). In 1996, he hit .259 with a franchise record 41 HR and 112 RBI.
2. Mike Piazza (1998-2002, 2005). The Future Hall of Famer caught 826 games (815 starts). In 2000, he hit .324 with 38 HR and 113 RBI.
1. Jerry Grote (1966-71, 1973-76). Jerry caught 1,176 games (1,105 starts). In 1969, he hit .252 with 6 HR and 40 RBI. He led a very young pitching staff to the Mets’ first World Series title in ’69.
* Writer note: I missed Duffy Dyer when making out the original list – Duffy Dyer was the primary catcher in 1972, when he started 91 games behind the dish, batting .231 with 8 HR and 36 RBI. As a Met, he caught 296 games (275 starts), which would place him 7th on the list – behind Ron Hodges, and before Josh Thole.
