Behind the Plate - Season By Season

I've gone through the infield.  How about behind the dish?  If anyone has been paying attention, you know the rules.  If you don't, get on the uptake right quick.

1962 - Chris Cannizzaro - 56 games
1963 - Choo Choo Coleman - 91
1964 - Jesse Gonder - 97
1965 - Chris Cannizzaro - 112
1966 - Jerry Grote - 115
1967 - Jerry Grote - 119
1968 - Jerry Grote - 115
1969 - Jerry Grote - 112
1970 - Jerry Grote - 125
1971 - Jerry Grote - 122
1972 - Duffy Dyer - 91
1973 - Jerry Grote - 81
1974 - Jerry Grote - 94
1975 - Jerry Grote - 111
1976 - Jerry Grote - 95
1977 - John Stearns - 127
1978 - John Stearns - 141
1979 - John Stearns - 121
1980 - Alex Trevino - 86
1981 - John Stearns - 66
1982 - John Stearns - 81
1983 - Ron Hodges - 96
1984 - Mike Fitzgerald - 107
1985 - Gary Carter - 143
1986 - Gary Carter - 122
1987 - Gary Carter - 135
1988 - Gary Carter - 119
1989 - Barry Lyons - 76
1990 - Mackey Sasser - 87
1991 - Rick Cerone - 81
1992 - Todd Hundley - 121
1993 - Todd Hundley - 123
1994 - Todd Hundley - 82
1995 - Todd Hundley - 89
1996 - Todd Hundley - 150
1997 - Todd Hundley - 122
1998 - Mike Piazza - 99
1999 - Mike Piazza - 137
2000 - Mike Piazza - 124
2001 - Mike Piazza - 130
2002 - Mike Piazza - 121
2003 - Vance Wilson - 89
2004 - Jason Phillips - 87
2005 - Mike Piazza - 101
2006 - Paul LoDuca - 118
2007 - Paul LoDuca - 113
2008 - Brian Schneider - 109
2009 - Omir Santos - 91
2010 - Rod Barajas - 73

The Mets have had 21 primary backstops during their first 49 seasons.  This year will make 22 with either Josh Thole or Ronnie Paulino making it the 5th straight season with a different primary.   Only Cannizzaro in 1962 & 1966 and LoDuca in 2006-2007 held the position two seasons.

Jerry Grote led the way with 10 main seasons behind the dish - 1966-1971, 1973-1976

Todd Hundley - 6 seasons - 1992-1997
Mike Piazza - 6 seasons - 1998-2002, 2005
John Stearns - 5 seasons - 1977-1979, 1981-1982
Gary Carter - 4 seasons - 1985-1988

The position has been for the most part - except for transition periods after Carter and Piazza (which we are still in all these years later) been a stable position.  The main 5 catchers in Mets history have worn the tools of ignorance for 31 of the first 49 seasons.  The other 16 main men held the other 18 seasons.  When it comes to Mets catchers - you either stick around or you're gone.