Jorge Posada's Yankee Legacy

Yesterday afternoon, Sweeney Murti of WFAN reported that Jorge Posada will announce his retirement from the Yankees and from the game of baseball within the next two weeks.

As a fan of the game and the Yankees, it was refreshing to see Posada know when to bow out gracefully. The fiery catcher had a fantastic 16 year career for the Yankees.

Posada is a lifetime .273 hitter, with 275 home runs, a .374 on-base percentage, .474 slugging percentage and 1,075 runs batted in.

Though his career statistics may seem underwhelming compared to other Yankee greats, it's important to compare with other catchers who have worn the pinstripes.

Posada's 275 career home runs rank second all time behind Yogi Berra.  His 1,664 hits rank third all time behind Berra and Bill Dickey.  Posada also ranks second all time behind Berra on games played.  (**All Yankee records.**)

Perhaps Posada's greatest contribution to the teams he played on was his defense and ability to call games.  Though he never won a Gold Glove, Posada was responsible for guiding the dynasty pitching staffs of the '98-'00 teams.  Those starting staffs included Andy Pettitte, David Cone, David Wells and Roger Clemens among others.  Wells pitched his perfect game in '99 with Posada behind the plate calling the pitches.

He became a postseason hero among fans during the Yankees glory years by producing timely hits and driving in key runs.  One of his most memorable hits was off of Pedro Martinez in the eighth inning of the 2003 ALCS which allowed the Yankees to tie up the game and eventually win, sending the Bombers to another World Series.

Posada prided himself in his ability to stay healthy.  The first time he was placed on the 15-day disabled list was in 2008, which also coincidently was the first time the Yankees missed the playoffs since 1994.  Posada recovered nicely from a shoulder injury, hitting .285, 22 home runs and driving in 81 runs.  It was the last great season for Posada, as he saw his playing time reduced due to younger catchers.

Though he batted a career-low .235 in 114 games in 2011, he still managed to hit .429 in the Yankees postseason series against the Detroit Tigers.

Posada's friendship with shortstop Derek Jeter, closer Mariano Rivera and Pettitte was well chronicled as the four earned the nickname of "the core four" during the latter years of Pettitte and Posada's career.

As Posada joins his "core four" teammate and friend, Pettitte in retirement, Yankee fans will now turn to Jeter and Rivera to cling to the glory years of the '90s.  Rivera, could be entering his final season, with Jeter retiring soon thereafter.

The Glory Days of the "Cour Four" are really coming to a close.

I'll leave you with a picture of the "core four" from the last home game at Old Yankee Stadium

*Photos courtesy of Detroit Free Press and Sports Illustrated

Ps I'm going to miss this commercial.

Lifelong Yankee(s)?

This picture was taken yesterday on the first day of full squad workouts for the Yankees.  Two iconic Yankees that have won 15 championships between them.  Yogi Berra alone won 10 championships while Derek Jeter has won 5.  These two men are arguably the greatest players in the Yankees rich history.

Yogi spent his entire career with the Yankees.  This included time as catcher, outfielder and then as a player-manager.  He even infamously managed the Yankees in the 1960s and well as for a short two year stint with a very impatient George Steinbrenner firing Berra just 16 games into the 1986 season.  Consequently, Berra was absent from Yankee Stadium until 1999.  Is it really surprising that the Yankees worst years occurred after his firing and in the early '90s? No. There was not enough of Yogi's wisdom to go around all those years to the less then stellar yankees (except for of course, Mr. Don Mattignly.)

Derek Jeter burst onto the scene as a rookie in 1996.  He immediately made an impact winning not only Rookie of the Year but also four championships in five years.  Jeter became an integral part of the organization from that first year.  He is a ten time all star and the winner of numerous silver sluggers as well as gold gloves.  This past season Jeter became the all-time hits leader for the organization and also won his fifth world championship.

Now what will happen if Jeter does not re-sign with the team?  Well for one thing, the Yankees will have one huge PR situation on the hand.  How would they even begin to address the loss of the face of the franchise for the last 15 years?  Not to mention, they will have to deal with Jeter himself.  This could very easily turn into a Bernie Williams situation where Jeter could hold a grudge and not return to the stadium for many, many years.  Jeter stated yesterday in his press conference that this is the only organization he wants to ever play for and everyone knows that's the truth.

So my plea to you Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner: PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE resign Jeter.  He is your captain and has served your team and city well.  I will be disappointed and be forced to watch the team without seeing my favorite player take his position at shortstop everyday.

After all, how great would it be for future Yankees down the road to have Jeter around like the current Yankees get to have Yogi every year?

-Courtney

Spring Training Has Officially Started

Yogi Berra arrived yesterday to George M. Steinbrenner field in Tampa.  Berra's arrival officially marks the beginning to spring training.  Yogi's title is "spring training instructor" but we all know his purpose is to tell stories from the glory days of the yankees in the '50s & '60s.  I mean honestly could you picture Yogi giving Jorge Posada catching tips  when Posada's a good 6 inches taller then Yogi? That would be pretty funny.  Who knows a new Yogisim could come out of that?

I'll leave this post with my favorite Yogism of all time.


"Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical."


- Courtney