The 1944 season was a bit of a mess for the Yankees at the catcher position. Hall of Famer Bill Dickey spent that entire season and the following one away on military duty. Rollie Helmsley, whom they had acquired to be Dickey’s backup in 1942, would do the same in August of that season. Yogi Berra was two seasons away from debuting.
The primary catching duties that season ended up in the hands of Mike Garbark. The 28-year old got the start on Opening Day, and ended up as the most used player at the spot all season.