jorge posada

After 17 seasons and 5 titles, Yankees' Jorge Posada retires

NEW YORK – For most of his 17 Yankee seasons, Jorge Posada had taped inside his locker a quote by Thurman Munson.

 “look, I like hitting fourth, and I like the good batting average. but what I do every day behind the plate is a lot more important because it touches so many more people, and so many more aspects of the game.”

Posada was a born hitter and a converted infielder, but one whose career was infused by the catcher’s creed of Munson.

“he plays the game, I think, the way Thurman played it. A lot of grittiness. A lot of toughness,” said Diana Munson, who became a huge Posada fan. “I’m so honored to have loved two Yankee catchers in my life.”

With Munson’s widow at the Stadium on Tuesday, along with treasured teammates, immediate family, select fans and the Yankee hierarchy, Posada alternated between smiles and tears during his emotional goodbye to the game.

“I could never wear another uniform,” Posada said. “I will forever be a Yankee.”

Posada, 40, paused at times to compose himself as he thanked his family, the organization and its fans.

“hopefully, you won’t miss me that much,” he said to close friend Derek Jeter, who sat with teammates Mariano Rivera and CC Sabathia.

Jeter was one of the few whom Posada had confided in during a difficult 2011 season.

“I knew that this was it,” said Posada, who felt “demoted from Day One” after being turned into a full-time designated hitter. “I never really had a chance to fight for my job.”

But the flame that fueled Posada’s game didn’t rekindle this winter – not even when Jesus Montero was traded to Seattle for Michael Pineda, creating a vacancy at DH. Posada knew that door was closed to him.

“I want to be home and enjoy the summer,” Posada said with his wife, Laura, and two young children beside him. “and see what comes my way.”

Already, Posada says, he has rejected overtures from three TV networks. he can see himself in another baseball job, but hasn’t envisioned being a manager or a coach – at least not yet.

“right now, it’s not something anybody’s focused on,” said general manager Brian Cashman. “but one thing he did clearly get from this is that he didn’t want to wear another uniform.”

Yankee Alex Rodriguez Stirring It Up

The floundering Yankees managed to win one yesterday. Many are questioning a Rod’s tatics in the top of the ninth. with the Yankees up by two runs, Alex Rodriguez was running from first on a pop fly by Jorge Posada. as the Blue Jay Clark, 3b, was preparing to catch the pop fly with McDonald, ss, backing up the play; a Rod let out a yell. this yell was heard by Clark as one of his team mates calling him off and he backed off at the last moment. McDonald was unable to make the catch and the ball fell in for a hit.

The controversy started immediately. Umpire Chad Fairchild had to seperate McDonald and Rodriguez when McDonald started jawing with Rodriguez. The Blue Jays manager entered into the onfield dispute and the homebase umpire had to intervene. Rodriguez remained at third base with his smirk, until he came into score on Giambi’s single.

Rodriguez later brushed aside the Blue Jays’ anger, saying the Yankee$ were desperate for a win.

Honestly, I couldn’t care less, he said. They have their opinions. We’re looking not to be swept.

The thing about the Yankees, one of the reasons they’re so respected, is they do things right. Always have, manager John Gibbons said. They’ve got a lot of pride and a lot of class. They play the game hard. That’s not Yankee pride right there, he said. That’s not the way they play. I thought it was bush league.

It sounds like the sort of thing that would happen during an unsupervised game on the sandlots or a beer ball game. Technically there is nothing wrong with what a Rod did. After all, he didn’t go out of the baseline or try to bowl over the player fielding the ball. Players really should know the voices of their other team mates.

In the final analysis, Alex resorted to a parlor trick trying to fan the embers in the overbloated bellies of his fellow Yankee$. It smacks of misplaced desperation.

Posada forever will be a Yankee

Flanked by his wife and children, with five World Series trophies sitting on a table to his right, Jorge Posada, the five-time All-Star catcher retired at age 40 after 17 major league seasons. he finished with a .273 career batting average, 275 home runs and 1,065 RBIs.

At a crowded Yankee Stadium news conference, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and CC Sabathia were among those who watched Posada fight off tears as he sat on a dais with wife, Laura, 12-year-old son Jorge Jr. and 9-year-old daughter Paulina. It was clear the rest of the family also wanted to be Yankees lifers.

“This is so cool,” Paulina said to her dad as she picked up the cardboard in front of her seat with her name and the famous interlocking “NY” logo. “I’m going to keep this.”

Posada joins Bernie Williams and Andy Pettitte in retirement, leaving only the 37-year-old Jeter and 42-year-old Rivera from the core group that led the Yankees to four World Series titles in five years from 1996-2000.

Posada was at the center of what became known as the Core four. While Jeter and Rivera rarely reveal their feelings, and Pettitte did so only on occasion, Posada was a passionate open window into the Yankees.

Posada talked with great fervor about the team that drafted him in the 24th round in 1991.

“Every time I step through the Yankee Stadium doors,” he began, “I quoted Joe DiMaggio and said, I want to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee.”

“I could never wear another uniform,” he said. “I will forever be a Yankee.”

More Yankees

All-Star catcher Russell Martin and New York avoided salary arbitration when they agreed to a $7.5 million, one-year contract. The deal was $100,000 under the midpoint between the $8.2 million he had asked for in arbitration and the $7 million the Yankees had offered.

Giants

Two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum and San Francisco reached a verbal agreement on a two-year contract worth $40.5 million. The deal includes a $500,000 signing bonus and salaries of $18 million this year and $22 million in 2013.

Tigers

Pitcher Brandon Morrow and Toronto agreed to a $21 million, three-year contract that avoided arbitration. Morrow gets $4 million this year and $8 million in each of the following two seasons. The 27-year-old was 11-11 last season with a 4.72 ERA.

Red Sox

Cody Ross has agreed to sign with Boston, giving the team an experienced hitter with postseason success to help replace J.D. Drew in right field. The 31-year-old Ross batted .240 with 14 home runs for the Giants last season.

Orioles

Infielder Wilson Betemit and Baltimore agreed to a two-year, $3.25 million contract. Betemit will receive a $500,000 signing bonus and earn $1 million this season.

elsewhere

Tony La Russa will become the second retired manager to lead an All-Star team, joining Hall of Famer John McGraw. La Russa concluded a 16-season run in St. Louis with the team’s second World Series title in five years. Commissioner Bud Selig announced that the 67-year-old La Russa will manage the National League in this year’s game July 10 in Kansas City.

first published on January 25, 2012 at 1:00 am

Emotional Jorge Posada Says Goodbye To Yankees, MLB

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — after 17 seasons in pinstripes, Jorge Posada said goodbye to baseball Tuesday morning.

With Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera in attendance, the Bombers’ longtime catcher and DH announced his retirement during an 11 a.m. press conference at Yankee Stadium.

Posada began by quoting Joe DiMaggio: “I want to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee.”

The five-time All-Star catcher ended his career with the team that drafted him rather than attempting to play elsewhere.

1010 WINS’ Juliet Papa reports

WFAN’s Sweeny Murti first reported Posada’s plans two weeks ago.

“Today’s a very emotional day for me,” Posada said. “ever since I was a little kid, all I wanted to do was become a major leaguer.”

More: Teammates, former foes wish Posada well in retirement

Posada joins Bernie Williams and Andy Pettitte in retirement, leaving only Jeter and Rivera from the core group that led the Yankees to four World Series titles in five years from 1996-2000.

Diana Munson, the widow of former Yankees captain Thurman Munson, was among those who made the trip for Posada’s retirement. she spoke about how Posada helped revive her interest in baseball, which had disappeared after her husband’s death.

“I’m so honored to have loved two Yankee catchers in my life,” Munson said.

All five World Series trophies from Posada’s career were on display to his right, and the marquee outside Yankee Stadium read “Thank You, Jorge.”

Posada became a free agent after a trying season in New York, the final year of a four-year, $52 million contract.

“It’s been an honor,” said a teary-eyed Posada. “I could never wear another uniform. … I will forever be a Yankee.”

Posada’s voice broke up, especially when he spoke in Spanish. He thanked a number of current Yankees, rubbing his chin three times and wiping his eyes.

“I also want to thank my teammates,” Posada said while struggling to maintain his composure. “Especially Derek Jeter, who helped me stay focused and positive. Hopefully you won’t miss me that much. Mariano Rivera, my brother. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

Posada said he made the decision to retire during last season, which turned tumultuous may 14 when he was dropped to No. 9 in the batting order against Boston. He asked to be taken out of the lineup, saying he wasn’t ready to play.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi and GM Brian Cashman said that was just a blip in his career — part of Posada’s fiery nature, the one that drew fans to him. Jeter said that emotion can’t be faked, that it comes from a drive to win.

“I feel the same way,” Jeter said. “I’m just better at hiding it.”

Jeter and Rivera talked about how their days for retirement would come.

“Mo’s going to be here longer than all of us,” Jeter said.

Posada finishes with a .273 career batting average, 275 home runs and 1,065 RBIs.

Should the Yankees retire Posada’s No. 20? Sound off below…

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. the Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Former NY Met Jose Reyes hears cheers in New York City, perhaps for last time, at BBWAA dinner in Manhattan

he is no longer a Met, but Jose Reyes was still a Mets fan favorite at the Baseball Writers of America New York chapter awards dinner Saturday night.

Making his first public appearance since he bolted for the Marlins as a free agent, Reyes was cheered by fans in the audience when he was introduced.

Reyes was honored with the Good Guy Award and lived up to the honor by making it a point to thank Mets fans.

“I know I am not going to be here no more, but I appreciate all the support you gave me all these years,” Reyes said.

MONAHAN’S SERVICE Outgoing Yankee head trainer Gene Monahan was honored with the William J. Slocum/Jack Lang Award for long and meritorious service.

Introduced by Mariano Rivera and NASCAR driver Kevin Harvick, Monahan gave an emotional speech about his 49 years in the Yankee organization.

Visibly choked up during a speech about living his dream, Monahan received two standing ovations.

FINAL THANK YOU Yankee catcher Jorge Posada, who is expected to hold a press conference this week making his retirement official, sent a video to the dinner. he congratulated his teammates David Robertson and Rivera for winning awards and then thanked the media for the coverage of him throughout his career.

NOT VALENTINE’S TOWN Bobby Valentine got a new sort of welcome at the dinner. The former Mets manager and new Red Sox skipper was booed by the fans when introduced.

“When I went to the Boston writers’ dinner they told me to wait and see how different they treat you when you go to New York. I laughed,” Valentine said. “Then I came in and went to the front desk and found there was no room for me. it was under Bobby Balentine.

“I came up to the dais and (chapter chairman) Mark (Feinsand) told me not to sit down yet, they didn’t have a chair for me.

“So, I look forward to being treated a lot better the next time I am in town.”

Valentine, who was integral in the Mets’ 9/11 relief efforts, was on hand to present the Joan Payson Community Service Award to Robertson.

Robertson was honored for his work raising money for those affected by the tornadoes in his his home city of Tuscaloosa, Ala.

like he did for most of the 2011 season, Robertson also set up Rivera Saturday night.

The closer won the Talk of the Town Award for breaking baseball’s record for saves last season. Rivera has 603 in his career.

Hometownstations.com-WLIO- Lima, OH News Weather SportsJorge Posada: 17 seasons, 5 titles and 1 team

By RONALD BLUMAP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) – Jorge Posada was watching television when he saw speculation on which teams were interested in signing him as a free agent.

“They put my face on different uniforms,” he said. “And it didn't look good.”

He began a Yankee and ended as a Yankee, spending his entire career in pinstripes.

Flanked by his wife and children, with five World Series trophies sitting on a table to his right, the five-time All-Star catcher retired at age 40 on Tuesday after 17 major league seasons. He finished with a .273 career batting average, 275 home runs and 1,065 RBIs.

At a crowded Yankee Stadium news conference, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and CC Sabathia were among those who watched Posada fight off tears as he sat on a dais with wife, Laura, 12-year-old son Jorge Jr. and 9-year-old daughter Paulina. it was clear the rest of the family also wanted to be Yankees lifers.

“This is so cool,” Paulina said to her dad as she picked up the cardboard in front of her seat with her name and the famous interlocking “NY” logo. “I'm going to keep this.”

Posada joins Bernie Williams and Andy Pettitte in retirement, leaving only the 37-year-old Jeter and 42-year-old Rivera from the core group that led the Yankees to four World Series titles in five years from 1996-2000.

“Mariano said this is it. He says one more year. But Derek says he's got like three more to go. so we'll see,” Posada said, adding he didn't expect the great closer to quit after next season.

“I don't think about it right now. But the time will come,” Rivera said. “Definitely the time will come when I'll have to just admit it and hang (up) the glove and the uniform and move on. We all go through that.”

Jeter, the Yankees' captain and leader, expects to outlast Rivera.

“Mo's still got to go first. He's a lot older than me,” he said before adding with a laugh: “Mo's going to be here longer than all of us.”

Shrieking at success and fuming over failure, Posada often was nuclear fission at the center of the Yankees and what became known as the Core Four. While Jeter and Rivera rarely reveals their feelings, and Pettitte does only on occasion, Posada has been a passionate open window into the Yankees, praising, strutting, venting and battling.

“We feel the same way; I'm just better at hiding it. But we feel the same way inside, and I think that's why we've gotten along so well throughout the years,” said Jeter, who first played alongside Posada in the minors in 1992.

He has called him “Posado” for years, even since late Yankee Stadium announcer Bob Sheppard mispronounced his name when he pinch ran for Wade Boggs in Game 2 of the 1995 AL playoffs.

In the same room where Pettitte announced his retirement 11½ months ago, select season ticket holders were invited to sit in the audience.

Posada talked with great fervor about the team that drafted him on the 24th round in 1991.

“Every time I step through the Yankee Stadium doors,” he began, “I quoted Joe DiMaggio and said, I want to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee.”

“I could never wear another uniform,” he said. “I will forever be a Yankee.”

Posada's voice broke up, especially when he spoke in Spanish. He thanked his teammates, rubbing his chin three times and wiping his eyes. He called Rivera “my brother” and praised Jeter “who helped me stay focused and positive.”

“Hopefully you won't miss me that much,” he said.

Diana Munson, wife of the late Yankees catcher Thurman Munson, spoke admiringly of Posada, who kept a quote from her husband in his locker: “Batting fourth and being in the lineup is important, but I think the stuff I do behind the plate is more important.” One day at Yankee Stadium, Posada sat next to her and told her about his admiration for the former captain, who died in a plane crash when Posada was 7. she wound up following Posada in the box scores.

“He in fact is the one who brought me back to baseball again. after losing Thurman, I kind of lost my heart for baseball,” she said. “He plays the game I think the way Thurman played it: a lot of grittiness, lot of toughness. … I think he and Thurman would have been best buds. He definitely has the it factor. I can't describe it. I don't know what it is. But I knew immediately upon meeting him that he had it, and I think the Yankee fans also have realized that, and I imagine they're as sad today as we all are.”

She was followed by a video of fan tributes and by Lisa and Brett Niederer from Bristol, Wis. she talked about the Jorge Posada Foundation and its emotional support and financial assistance to families affected by craniosynostosis, a disease that causes bones in the skull to fuse prematurely.

Jorge Jr. has had nine operations, and Lisa Niederer was watching on television when the father and son went onto the field together during the introductions for the 1992 All-Star game. Brett, then 2½, was diagnosed the disease around the start of that year, and they talked about the Posada family's assistance.

“I knew we were not alone anymore,” said Lisa, who has become a mentor for the foundation.

When the focus returned to baseball, Posada recalled how he started his professional career as a shortstop, was moved to second base and was asked by the Yankees to move to catcher after the 1991 season.

“I felt like it was the worst decision ever,” he said, remembering all the passed balls he allowed while catching top draft pick Brien Taylor. “It was not a pretty sight.”

He went on to have one of the better offensive careers by a catcher. the switch-hitting Posada made the decision to retire during a season that turned tumultuous May 14 when he was batting .165 and was dropped to no. 9 in the batting order against Boston. He asked to be taken out of the lineup, saying he wasn't ready to play.

Posada rallied to hit .268 for the rest of the season, leaving him with a .235 average, 14 homers and 44 RBIs. And then on Sept. 21, his two-run pinch-hit single beat Tampa Bay to clinch the AL East and earn another huge ovation. He hit .429 (6 for 14) in the five-game loss to Detroit in the division series.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi and general manager Brian Cashman said that was just a blip in his career – part of Posada's fiery disposition, the one that drew fans to him, one that he may take with him into coaching or managing – after the Yankees likely honor him with a tribute this year.

That nature caused him to tell his agents not to negotiate with other teams.

“They kept saying that people are asking about you,” Posada said. “I'm like – not interested.”

Copyright 2012 the associated Press. All rights reserved. this material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jorge Posada to Announce Retirement

I was very happy this afternoon when I saw that Jorge Posada will announce his retirement in the coming weeks. Don’t get me wrong – I love Jorge and will miss him, but I believe that his choice to retire right now instead of attempting to play in the 2012 season is the right one.

When it comes to Jorge (and Jeter and Mo as well), my perception of their actions is driven by purely sentimental reasons.  I’m happy to see Jorge leave the game on a high note. and, most importantly, I’m happy that he won’t be subjected to the same criticisms and drama that were seemingly never ending in 2011.

Jorge definitely had his ups and downs this year, but he went out with a bang in the ALDS, batting .429 with four runs scored and a triple. (A triple! From Jorge!) and all this after being benched indefinitely in August and not knowing when (if ever) he would see more playing time as a Yankee. in the minds of Yankees fans, there has never been any question of whether Jorge has heart. He wears his emotions on his sleeve without apology, which is why Yankees fans have such a deep love for him and his passion for the game.

But the reality right now is that Jorge is a 40-year old catcher, and the Yankees have no shortage of DH candidates and a plethora of much younger catchers waiting in the wings. Playing time for Jorge in 2012 would be almost non-existent even if the Yankees had shown an interest in bringing him back for another year. and as much as I love seeing him in the dugout, I can’t (and don’t want to) imagine him sitting in a home dugout anywhere other than Yankee Stadium.

It would be impossible for me to describe here how much Jorge has meant to the Yankees and their fans over the last 16 years. His career line of .273/.374/.474 with 275 home runs and 5 World Championships doesn’t even begin to tell the story. You could ask any Yankees fan and they would have no trouble recounting their favorite Posada moments.

Yankees fans are smart – they didn’t allow the negativity that swirled around Posada this season to outweigh all of the positives in his career, and a poor 2012 season wouldn’t have ruined Posada’s legacy in their eyes, either. but Posada is a Yankees lifer, something that is almost unheard of in today’s business-first world of Major League Baseball, and even if Posada believes he has another year of playing time left in him, his decision to retire as a Yankee is the right one.

As I said before, Jorge will be missed – just as Bernie Williams and Andy Pettitte are, and just as Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera one day will be. but I don’t believe that retirement will mean we have seen the last of Jorge. He has always been an incredibly smart player who knows the game inside and out, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him remain with the Yankees in the capacity of a coach, a commentator, or a consultant. one of the many great things about the Yankees organization is how involved former players are with the team, and I believe that Jorge will be a great addition to guys like Tino Martinez, David Cone, and Paul O’Neill who are retired but remain very active with the team. Jorge is a beloved Yankee, and I have to think that as long as he wants to be involved with the team, the Yankees brass will be more than willing to find a place for him. As for the fans, we will certainly always be there to support Jorge for all the great baseball moments he has given us over the years.

You can follow Robbie (@clarkbar213) and Yanks go Yard (@YanksGoYardFS) on Twitter and “like” YGY on Facebook.

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Jorge Posada: Return won't happen

NEW YORK – Catcher Jorge Posada said Wednesday he won't return to the New York Yankees next season, and he'll either join another team or retire after 17 years in Major League Baseball. “I don't think there's not even a

Brian Cashman joined WFAN in New York with Mike Francesa to discuss CC Sabathia's contract negotiations over the past weekend, Jesus Montero being a catcher next season, signing Jorge Posada as a free agent, what he expects from AJ Burnett next season,

NEW YORK – Catcher Jorge Posada said Wednesday he won't return to the New York Yankees next season, and he'll either join another team or retire after 17 years in Major League Baseball. “I don't think there's not even a

NEW YORK – Catcher Jorge Posada said Wednesday he won't return to the New York Yankees next season, and he'll either join another team or retire after 17 years in Major League Baseball. “I don't think there's not even a

Jorge Posada's days are over in New York, plus he's thinking about retiring.