(Updated Dec. 9, 2019)

Ted Simmons compared favorably with fellow Hall of Fame catcher Carlton Fisk. On offense and defense, Simmons’ qualifications are at least equal to, and possibly stronger than, Fisk’s credentials.

Both catchers had reputations for intelligence and leadership.

Two of a kind

Though Simmons had 76 fewer career at-bats than Fisk, Simmons topped Fisk in nearly every major hitting category. Simmons had more hits, doubles and RBI than Fisk. He also had a higher career batting average and a better career on-base percentage than the former Red Sox and White Sox catcher. Fisk had more home runs than Simmons.

A comparison of the career hitting statistics of the two:

Category…..AB……Hits…..2B….HR….RBI…..BA…….OBP

Fisk…………..8756…..2356……421…376…..1330….(.269)….(.341)

Simmons….8680….2472……483…248…..1389….(.285)….(.348)

Fisk and Simmons both played positions other than catcher in the major leagues. Counting just their games caught, Fisk had about 1,300 more at-bats than Simmons, so naturally his hitting totals are the highest. But Simmons had the higher batting average and on-base percentage.

A comparison of their career hitting statistics in games caught:

Category…..AB……Hits…..2B….HR….RBI…..BA…….OBP

Fisk…………..7804…..2145……372…351…..1197….(.275)….(.347)

Simmons….6498….1908……364…195…..1062….(.294)….(.358)

Fisk and Simmons are similar in the key defensive areas, too.

In 24 seasons (1969-1993), Fisk had a .988 fielding percentage as a catcher.

In 21 seasons (1968-1988), Simmons had a .987 fielding percentage as a catcher.

Simmons and Fisk are nearly identical in percentage of runners caught stealing.

Runners stole 1,188 bases with Simmons at catcher and were caught 611 times. Simmons caught runners stealing 33.9 percent of the time.

Runners stole 1,302 bases with Fisk at catcher and were caught 663 times. Fisk caught runners stealing 33.7 percent of the time.

High drama

What most separates Fisk from Simmons is that Fisk was at the center of one of baseball’s most iconic moments: the walkoff home run for the Red Sox in the 12th inning of Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. Boxscore

That’s the only World Series Fisk played.

Simmons, too, played in one World Series: 1982 for the Brewers against the Cardinals.

Fisk hit two home runs in the 1975 World Series. Simmons hit two home runs in the 1982 World Series. Neither played for a World Series champion.

Fisk and Simmons played against one another for five seasons (1981-85) in the American League while Fisk was with the White Sox and Simmons was with the Brewers.

In 19 games against the White Sox at Chicago’s Comiskey Park, Simmons batted .360 (27-for-75) with 12 RBI.

With Fisk catching for the White Sox, Simmons was 3-for-5 with five RBI as the designated hitter in a 12-9 Brewers victory at Comiskey Park on July 10, 1983. Boxscore

A year later, again with Fisk behind the plate for Chicago, Simmons scored three runs and was 3-for-5 with two RBI as the first baseman in a 7-3 Brewers victory at Comiskey Park on May 7, 1984. Boxscore

Overall, Simmons hit .286 (46-for-161) in 42 career games against the White Sox, all while Fisk was with them.