Games played (most often abbreviated as G or GP) is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated (in any capacity); the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested. In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game, are included on a starting lineup card or are announced as ex ante substitutes, whether or not they play;Section 20 of the official scorer guidelines however, in Major League Baseball, the application of this statistic does not extend to consecutive games played streaks. A starting pitcher, then, may be credited with a game played even if he is not credited with a game started or an inning pitched. The catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his/her turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to these primary duties, the catcher is also called upon to master many other skills in order to field the position well. The role of the catcher is similar to that of the wicket-keeper in cricket. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the catcher is assigned the number 2.

Because catching is generally regarded as the most grueling position in baseball, catchers have historically played fewer games than any other non-pitching position; it is still unusual for a player to catch all of their team's games for even a month. Only eight players in history have caught in all of their team's games over the course of a season; five of those achieved the feat in the 19th century, when the seasons were generally much shorter, and the other three did so during World War II, when player availability was sharply limited. Prior to 1944, only seven players caught 145 games in a season, none more than once. When Bob Boone became the first player to catch 2,000 major league games in 1988, it was over a quarter century after every other non-pitching position had seen a player reach that milestone. But in recent decades, the workload of top major league catchers has gradually increased, and the top ten career leaders all made their major league debuts after 1968.

Iván Rodríguez is the all-time leader in games played as a catcher, playing 2,427 games at the position. Carlton Fisk (2,226), Bob Boone (2,225), Yadier Molina (2,184), Gary Carter (2,056) and Jason Kendall (2,025) are the only other players to play 2,000 or more games as a catcher. Molina, of the St. Louis Cardinals, is the only player to catch 2,000 games with one team.

Key Rank Rank amongst leaders in career games caught. A blank field indicates a tie. Player (2026 Gs) Number of games played during the 2026 Major League Baseball season MLB Total career games played as a catcher in Major League Baseball*Denotes elected to National Baseball Hall of Fame BoldDenotes active playerA player is considered inactive if he has announced his retirement or has not played for a full season.

List

Stats updated as of September 27, 2026. RankPlayer (2026 Gs)Games as catcherOther leagues, notes MLB American League National League1Iván Rodríguez*2,4272,0603672Carlton Fisk*2,2262,2260Held major league record, 1993–20093Bob Boone2,2251,1301,095Held major league record, 1987–19934Yadier Molina2,18402,1845Gary Carter*2,05602,056Held National League record, 1990–20216Jason Kendall2,0254861,5397Tony Peña1,9507671,1838Brad Ausmus1,9383501,5889A. J. Pierzynski1,9361,62431210Jim Sundberg1,9271,85077Holds AL single-season record of 155 (tied record in 1975)11Al López*1,918571,861Held major league record, 1945–1987; held NL record, 1945–199012Benito Santiago1,9171591,75813Lance Parrish1,8181,53628214Rick Ferrell*1,8061,8060Held American League record, 1945–198815Gabby Hartnett*1,79301,793Held major league record, 1939–1945; held NL record, 1934–194516Ted Simmons*1,7712971,47417Johnny Bench*1,74201,74218Ray Schalk*1,7271,7225Held major league record, 1925–1939; held AL record, 1920–1945; held single-season record, 1920–194419Bill Dickey*1,7081,708020Yogi Berra*1,6991,697221Rick Dempsey1,6331,44418922Mike Piazza*1,63001,63023Jim Hegan1,6291,5369324Brian McCann1,6124831,129Deacon McGuire1,6123591,026Includes 227 in American Association; held major league record, 1900–1925; held the single-season record, 1895–190826Bill Freehan1,5811,581027Russell Martin1,57965192828Jorge Posada1,5741,574029Sherm Lollar1,5711,571030Luke Sewell1,5621,562031Ernie Lombardi*1,54401,54432Kurt Suzuki1,5401,14539533Steve O'Neill1,5321,532034Darrell Porter1,5061,00650035Jason Varitek1,4881,488036Rollie Hemsley1,4821,02445837Del Crandall1,479491,43038John Roseboro1,4762581,21839Mickey Cochrane*1,4511,451040Ramón Hernández1,44795749041Wally Schang1,4351,435042Salvador Perez (44)1,4271,427043Muddy Ruel1,4101,410044J.T. Realmuto (123)1,40101,40145Mike Scioscia1,39501,39546Johnny Edwards1,39201,39247Tim McCarver1,387151,37248Terry Steinbach1,3811,381049Terry Kennedy1,3782211,15750Roy Campanella*1,37401,183Includes 191 in Negro National League (incomplete)51Gus Mancuso1,36001,36052Javy López1,3512451,106Jimmie Wilson1,35101,35154Jerry Grote1,348221,32655Bob O'Farrell1,33801,338Held National League record, 1933–193456Sandy Alomar Jr.1,3241,2566857Wilbert Robinson*1,316154715Includes 447 in American Association; held major league record, 1899–190058Frankie Hayes1,3111,3110Held single-season record, 1944–1968; holds AL single-season record of 155 (set in 1944)59Alan Ashby1,29939890160Mike Matheny1,285389896Bengie Molina1,28583944662Spud Davis1,28201,28263Dan Wilson1,2811,2374464Rick Cerone1,2791,07920065Thurman Munson1,2781,278066Del Rice1,249311,21867Joe Girardi1,247374873Frank Snyder1,24701,247Held National League record, 1927–1933Butch Wynegar1,2471,247070Ernie Whitt1,2461,1875971Chief Zimmer1,23901,162Includes 77 in American Association; held the single-season record, 1890–189572Don Slaught1,23779344473Ivey Wingo1,23301,23374Steve Yeager1,230491,18175Hank Severeid1,2251,1814476Walker Cooper1,22301,22377Andy Seminick1,21301,21378Tom Haller1,199361,16379Malachi Kittridge1,19724295580Red Dooin1,19501,195Held National League record, 1915–192781George Gibson1,19401,194Held single-season record, 1908–1920; held NL single-season record, 1908–194482Mickey Owen1,175301,14583Martín Maldonado1,17280137184Mike Lieberthal1,17001,17085Johnny Kling1,16901,169Held National League record, 1913–191586Charles Johnson1,16028088087Darrin Fletcher1,143516627Brent Mayne1,14370344089Smoky Burgess1,13971,13290Elston Howard1,1381,138091Chris Iannetta1,122473649Billy Sullivan1,1221,03488Held AL single-season record, 1906–191193Yasmani Grandal (0)1,114275839Manny Sanguillén1,114771,03795Cy Perkins1,1111,111096Birdie Tebbetts1,1081,108097Phil Masi1,10121788498Jonathan Lucroy1,09830379599Todd Hundley1,09601,096100Buster Posey1,09301,093

Other Hall of Famers PlayerGames as catcherOther leagues, notes MLB American League National LeagueRoger Bresnahan*97491883Joe Mauer*9219210Joe Torre*9030903Buck Ewing*6360555Includes 81 in Players' League; held NL single-season record, 1889–1890Biz Mackey*61700Includes 242 in Negro National League (second), 209 in Eastern Colored League, 116 in Negro National League (first), 50 in American Negro League (incomplete)Connie Mack*6100498Includes 112 in Players' LeagueKing Kelly*5840457Includes 70 in American Association, 57 in Players' LeagueJosh Gibson*51300Includes 512 in Negro National League (second), 1 in Negro National League (first) (incomplete)Deacon White*4580226Includes 232 in National Association; held major league record, 1874–1881; held single-season record, 1873–1879Craig Biggio*4280428Jim O'Rourke*2310209Includes 22 in National AssociationJimmie Foxx*1081062Louis Santop*9100Includes 91 in Eastern Colored League (incomplete)

Notes

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