All-Time National League East Team: The Catcher

[G-Fafif]

Per the best division in baseball thread, can we put together an all-time National League East team? It would be based on players who played for teams in the division while those teams were in the division. Bucs, Cubs and Cards eligible from 1969 to 1993. Braves eligible from 1994 to present. Expos eligible from 1969 to 2004. Nationals eligible from 2005 to present. Marlins eligible from 1993 to present. Mets and Phillies, natch, eligible from 1969 to the present.

To get the ball rolling, let's consider catchers. Pick two, so Mike can have the day after a night game off.

[DocTee]

Tony Pena was good, and for a long time, but Carter and Piazza were great.

[Guest Kong76]

Not a Gary fan, but took him along with Piazza.

[nymr83]

i changed my Simmons vote to Carter, as I forgot his MON years are also a part of the criteria here, giving him a clear edge.

[Valadius]

Yeah, not even close, we have both of them.

[G-Fafif]

Nymr83 wrote: i changed my Simmons vote to Carter, as I forgot his MON years are also a part of the criteria here, giving him a clear edge.

I was sort of heartened to see somebody, anybody else get a vote just on principle. Simmons was a fine, fine hitter.

But yeah, Gary from '74 to '89, '92 was N.L. East gold, Jerry...gold!

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

Piazza and Carter. Simmons and Sanguillen were both very good, but not up to the standards of Piazza and Carter.

[metsmarathon]

top five nleasterly WAR, per fangraphs:

70.1 Gary Carter, MON/NYM
53.7 Ted Simmons, STL
32.2 Manny Sanguillen, PIT
31.2 Mike Piazza, FLA/NYM
28.3 Javy Lopez, ATL

yeah, i'm the dissenter. remember, piazza's dodger days don't count. neither do his padres days, if you were so inclined...

i was actually suprised javy lopez didnt edge him out too.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I measured with my own formula, and Simmons again comes out as one of the most sorely underappreciated players of my time. I've got him number one and Carter number two. I'll call it even after defense is factored in.

[Guest metsguyinmichigan]

One of my friends is a huge Simmons fan. Calls him Simba.

[soupcan]

Carter and Piazza, 1 & 1A.

[Ceetar]

soupcan wrote: Carter and Piazza, 1 & 1A.

With Schnedier 1C.

[Willets Point]

I always forget about Piazza's time with Florida. Those 5 games were a big part of his NL East career.

[MFS62]

Edgy DC wrote: I measured with my own formula, and Simmons again comes out as one of the most sorely underappreciated players of my time. I've got him number one and Carter number two. I'll call it even after defense is factored in.

I thought the same way, and even voted for Ted. He had a higher career BA and more career RBI.
But then I checked out the GP behind the dish, and Ted moved away from catching toward the end of his career. Maybe, I shouldn't have been as hasty.
Why not Piazza? Because he played only a little over half his games in the NL East.
Later

[Guest Edgy DC]

How could you not want this guy on your team?

[batmagadanleadoff]

Edgy DC wrote: How could you not want this guy on your team?

I voted for Simba. And Carter.