The late 90s shortstop battle of Nomar Garciaparra and Derek Jeter may ring today but the real Red Sox – Yankee rivalry was between catchers Thurman Munson and Carlton Fisk. Nether considered a baserunner coming home anything but a target as both were physical catchers with Fisk being the larger of the two. Both were right-handed hitters and hit is the optimum word with a bat, body, or fist.
Munson had a .292 career average over 11 seasons and that average is better than eight of the 13 catchers in the Hall of Fame.