A conversation with Joe Siddall: Reflecting on his career and the current state of catching

In the final edition of my conversation with former MLB catcher and current Blue Jays analyst, Joe Siddall, he reflected on his journey in the majors, which began 38 years ago, when he signed as a free agent with the Montreal Expos.

Robbie: So you signed as a free agent with the Expos in ’87, but you didn’t make your debut until ’93. What do you remember about that first opportunity in pro ball, and what kept you motivated during that journey?

Joe: When I got down there, being Canadian was very rare. Secondly, it’s your first taste of professional baseball. And then you find out that you may have been pretty good from where you came from, but there are so many people who can do what you can do. I was such a small fish.

Siddall reflected on his early realization that defence was going to be what set him apart from the other aspiring catchers at the time. "My strength was my defence," he says. "Defence is what got me to the big leagues, although when they signed me, they thought I would be a better left-handed hitter. If I had taken a step back on defence, I would have been packing my bags.”

While reflecting on his journey, he brought up Rick Williams, the Expos’ pitching coordinator and son of Dick Williams. Williams was someone who had helped Siddall learn how to call a game. That attention to detail became a career-long habit for Siddall. By the time Manager Felipe Alou called him up in 1993 as a third catcher for late-inning defence, he had already built a reputation that was based on being prepared. But the struggles with the bat never fully went away.

Robbie: Was it tough not to let poor hitting slip into the defence when you were struggling?

Joe: It probably didn’t look like it, but subconsciously, yeah, it was driving me crazy. I knew if I could hit a little bit, even a .230 guy, I could play this game for ten years in the big leagues.

When Siddall finally stepped onto the field in Montreal, he joined a stacked roster which included the likes of Larry Walker, Moises Alou, Marquis Grissom, and more. The Expos weren’t big spenders, but their farm system was elite, which resulted in a special summer back in 1993, one that Siddall still highlights while reflecting on his career.

“The problem with Montreal was that they did not draw fans very well, but 1993 was a different story," he says. "We were 13 games up in July. The Braves came into town, and the place was jammed and packed. It was awesome. I was so lucky to be playing in a pennant race, that’s my best memory as an Expo.”

I shifted our conversation toward the current state of catching, a position that Siddall has immense knowledge about, as seen on the broadcast.

Robbie: What makes a great game caller in today's game, and what impresses you about Alejandro Kirk's defence?

Joe: Preparation. You meet with pitchers, learn their best pitches, and what they trust in big spots. What's your best pitch? What's your second best, what counts do you like to use it in? The last thing I’m going to do is lose with a pitcher's third best pitch in a two-two game in the eighth.

Even in an era where technology is integrated into nearly every decision on the field, Siddall is passionate about the old-school approach (although he mentioned that he doesn't want to sound like an old man).

“I still love that part of the game. In my perfect world, there would be no tablets, wristbands, or anything on the field of play. That is the beauty and the art of the game. I don't know who is calling the game anymore.”

Although he understands why today’s baseball players, and players in every other sport, rely on the technology, part of him feels like the game is a little lost when every pitch can be checked on a tablet seconds later.

“I just love the fact that when it’s out on the field, it’s out on the field. You’ve got to mask your signs, don’t tip your location too early, and actually watch that pitcher as opposed to going back to iPads.”

As for Kirk, Siddall praised what he's been able to accomplish this season, especially on the defensive side. “Pitchers say a lot of good things about Alejandro. He’s just such a good receiver, and he blocks so well, too. He has exceeded my expectations from when I first saw him.”

Robbie: Was there a mentor you had or a lesson that stuck with you?

Joe: “Anytime you talk about a mentor, the first name that comes to mind for me is Felipe Alou. On the other hand, Buck Rogers taught me about the three pillars of calling a game: move the ball in and out, back and forth, and up and down. Mix it up, make their brain and eyes track something different.”

Joe Siddall’s career is built on preparation, consistency, and respect for the craft. Whether behind the plate or behind the mic, his approach has always remained: be ready, anticipate, and take pride in doing the job right.