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2008 Gary Bennett is a generic backup catcher who throws very poorly for a player who's on the roster for his defense. Signed by the Dodgers to back up Russell Martin, he's a more logical fit than he was caddying for defense-first Yadier Molina in St. Louis 2007 Bennett`s lone plate appearance in 16 postseason games is a testament to the otherworldliness of Yadier Molina`s October effort, but also speaks to the fate of the backup catchers whose managers are afraid to use them for fear of being left catcher-less should an injury occur. He gets the same playoff share as everybody else though, and quite possibly another season in the bigs. Given his level of accomplishment at his age, that`s no small thing. 2006 Nichols` Law of Catcher Defense observed the inverse relationship of a catcher`s defensive rep and his hitting prowess. Bennett`s employers have signed him in this very expectation, that someone this useless at the plate must be pretty good behind it. Sadly, the Nats learned what six teams had in the previous four years, that Bennett`s a two-way exercise in futility. The Cards will make it eight in six. 2005 Bennett broke into the majors in 1995 with Philadelphia, and has since carried the torch for journeyman backup catchers everywhere. He has nine years of major league experience, and in that time, compiled a .247/.310/.335 line in 390 games. The Brewers gave him $600,000 in 2004 for the security of having a proven out-maker to back up their inexperienced out-making starter, Chad Moeller. He performed the task so well, Jim Bowden gave him a raise, so he'll make $750,000 for Washington in 2005 for, apparently, being a nice guy who doesn't mind sitting on the bench. 2003 In April, one pitcher said that Bennett “takes control of a game.” The coaches said he’s “definitely a gamer.” No, perception is not reality. It’s debatable whether a catcher’s contribution to ERA can be measured accurately, but the tools we have tell us the pitching’s worse when he catches. They admit now that he was overextended. Though “he’s tough and durable and cares a lot about our pitchers” they non-tendered him, and he’s signed on with the Padres, potentially as a glovely backup to Mike Rivera. 2002 If Kirt Manwaring and Brent Mayne can keep Ben Petrick from getting 500 at-bats, Gary Bennett sure can, too. He's the kind of backup catcher we're always touting: decent defensively, with some pop and plate discipline. The Rockies have to make sure all their bench players can hit a little; Bennett qualifies. 2001 The Phillies wasted what will probably be the best year of Gary Bennett’s career, sending him to Scranton solely because he had an option left. They’ll use him as their backup catcher in 2001, but the results won’t be as good as the numbers he put up in 2000. 2000 Bennett is a career minor leaguer who finally got a chance to be a regular backup catcher and demonstrated how easy it is to find a replacement-level player. Now that he has the magic “major league” label, he’s likely to spend the next seven or eight years bouncing from team to team. 1996 Your basic card-carrying career minor league backup catcher in the larval stage. He's young and has a good defensive reputation, so don't be surprised if he's around forever, like Orlando Mercado.
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