San Francisco Giants: 10 best catchers in franchise history

By Joel Reuter

Apr 24, 2019

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - MAY 14: Buster Posey #28 of the San Francisco Giants is congratulated by teammates after he scored on a Brandon Crawford two-run rbi double against the Cincinnati Reds in the bottom of the first inning at AT&T Park on May 14, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 18: Baseballs sit in the catcher’s mitt of a Cincinnati Reds player before the start of the Reds game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on August 18, 2011 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

4. Tom Haller (1961-1967)

Stats: 114 OPS+, .248/.340/.431, 587 H, 107 HR, 320 RBI, 301 R
WAR: 19.0 rWAR/19.2 fWAR
Accolades: 2x All-Star
WS Titles: 0

The first standout catcher of the San Francisco era, Haller spent the first seven seasons of his 11-year career with the Giants.

He took over as the primary catcher in 1962 and turned in a breakout season, posting a 140 OPS+ with 18 home runs and 55 RBI in just 332 plate appearances for 3.5 WAR.

He hit a career-high 27 home runs in 1966, which was the first of three straight years that he earned a spot on the NL All-Star team, only two of which came while he was playing for the Giants.

Haller was traded to the Dodgers prior to the 1968 season in exchange for second baseman Ron Hunt and backup infielder Nate Oliver. Hunt was good for 9.8 WAR in his three seasons with the Giants, so the trade proved beneficial.