"No baseball pitcher would be worth a darn without a catcher who could handle the hot fastball"

This quote by Casey Stengel is stressing the value of the catcher in baseball. He is saying that without a catcher who can deal with a pitcher's fastball, the pitcher would not deserve anything. This is because the catcher is the one who gets the pitch and is responsible for making certain it remains in the strike zone. Without a catcher who can manage a pitcher's fastball, the pitcher would not have the ability to toss it with any precision or control. The catcher is likewise accountable for calling the pitches and assisting the pitcher decide which ones to toss. This quote is highlighting the value of the catcher in the game of baseball and how they are vital to a pitcher's success.