Ed Ott was a rough-and-tumble catcher, adept at blocking the plate, and a dependable lefthanded hitter. The converted outfielder was Pittsburgh’s starting catcher from 1977 to 1980, and batted a career-high .273 with 51 RBI in the Pirates’ 1979 World Championship year. After he spent 1981 with the Angels, his career was ended by a torn rotator cuff.
