When the Diamondbacks’ Jeff Mathis describes the role of a catcher, he constructs an image that’s equal parts leader, strategist, psychologist and athlete. He believes that if it’s not the most important position on the field, it has to be up there.
“I think you start putting zeros up on the board,” he said, “it’s tough for another team to beat you if they don’t score.”
Mathis’ sentiments are about as old as the game itself, and in some ways, they are the same beliefs that shaped his new team’s offseason philosophy with regard to the position.