Jorge Posada
Encyclopedia
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta (born August 17, 1971) is a Major League Baseball
player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees
. He served as the Yankees primary catcher
for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter
for the 2011 season. He is a switch hitter
, and has been on five All-Star teams
over his 16-year career.
He is the only Major League catcher to ever have hit .330 or better with 40 doubles, 20 home runs, and 90 RBIs in a single season. Posada and Yogi Berra
are the only Yankees catchers to hit 30 home runs in a season. Since 2000, Posada has had more runs batted in, home run
s, and hits than any other catcher in baseball. Posada is one of the "Core Four
" Yankees.
father and a Dominican mother, and attended the Alejandrino High School in San Juan
, where he participated in basketball, volleyball, track, and baseball. As a baseball player in high school, he was named an All-Star player at shortstop
in the 1988-89 season.
He attended Calhoun Community College
in Decatur, Alabama
in 1991, where he received an Associate's Degree
. He was voted best hitter (1990), co-captain (1991), and selected all-conference (1991). He was inducted in the Alabama Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 and Calhoun retired his number (#6).
as an infielder. He played second base during his first minor league season with the Class-A Oneonta Yankees before being switched to catcher.
While playing for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
in 1994, Posada suffered a home plate collision in which he broke his left leg and dislocated his left ankle.
championship teams (1998, 1999, 2000, 2009) and six American League championship
teams (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009). Posada is a five-time All-Star (2000–03, 2007) and a five-time winner of the Silver Slugger
Award in those same years.
, playing in one game. He was called up late in the 1996 season
, appearing in 8 games, but was not added to the postseason roster. Posada replaced Jim Leyritz
in 1997 as the backup catcher to Joe Girardi
, with the expectation that he would appear in approximately 40 games: he started in 52. Going into the 1998 season, Posada pushed for more playing time. Posada caught David Wells
' perfect game on May 17, 1998. Overall, Posada batted .268 with 17 homers and 63 runs batted in over 111 games in the 1998 season. The Yankees renewed Posada's contract for $350,000 for the 1999 season, less than the $650,000 he asked for. In 1999, Posada batted .245 and committed 17 passed balls.
Girardi helped mentor Posada when they were teammates. The two catchers split time for the Yankees through 1999, with Posada receiving "roughly 60 percent of the playing time behind the plate to Girardi's 40 percent." During the 1999 season, Posada played in 112 games with 379 at-bats, while Girardi played in 65 games with 209 at-bats. While Girardi began the 1999 postseason as the regular catcher, Posada saw increased playing time.
, which allowed Posada to become the Yankees' full-time catcher. With Girardi gone, the Yankees entrusted Posada with the everyday catching job.
Posada won a Silver Slugger Award for catcher every year from 2000 to 2003. He started the All-Star game at catcher in 2002
and 2003
. In 2003, he hit 30 home runs (one every 16.0 at bats, ninth best in the league) and drove in 101 runs, both career highs. He batted .281 and was also fifth in the league in OBP (.405), and sixth in the league in walks (93; walking 17.5% of the time, a career high). He tied Yogi Berra
’s record for most home runs by a Yankee catcher and finished third in the MVP voting.
In 2006, Posada posted his highest batting average and home run total since 2003. He also led the major leagues with 20 pinch hits. In addition, work with new first base coach Tony Peña
, a former catcher, helped him improve his percentage of runners thrown out stealing second almost 60 points above his career average. He had batted (.277) and had 23 home runs with 93 RBIs.
Posada batted .338, with 20 home runs, 90 RBIs, and career highs in hits (171) and doubles (42) in 2007. He joined Iván Rodríguez
as the only two catchers in MLB history to record at least 40 doubles in two separate seasons. He was 3rd in the AL in on-base percentage (.426), 4th in batting average, 6th in OPS
(.970), and 8th in doubles and slugging percentage (.543). Posada batted .395 in September, and became the first Yankee catcher since Thurman Munson
, in 1978, to finish among the top 10 AL batting leaders. His longest hitless streak was only 11 at-bats. Posada is the first catcher to hit .330 or better with a slugging percentage of at least .540 and an on-base percentage of at least .420 since Mike Piazza
in 1996-97. On the final day of the 2007 regular season, Yankees manager Joe Torre
allowed Posada to act as the manager for the game, an honor that Torre traditionally bestowed upon a veteran player if the final game does not matter in the standings. The Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles
10-4 to give Posada an unofficial win in his 'managerial debut'.
to sign a 4-year, $52 million contract to remain with the Yankees.
On July 21, 2008, Posada was placed on the disabled list. Posada intended to recover from this injury in order to perform as designated hitter or first baseman. However, the team decided to acquire Xavier Nady
, in order to allow him enough time to operate. On July 28, 2008, Yankees officially announced that he would undergo season-ending surgery to repair the glenoid labrum in his right shoulder. Consequently, Posada did not participate again until 2009 spring training
.
On April 16, 2009, in the bottom of the 5th inning, he hit the first regular season home run in the new Yankee Stadium
against Cliff Lee
of the Cleveland Indians
. In an interleague series against the Houston Astros
in June 2010, Posada became the first Yankee since Bill Dickey
in 1937 to hit a grand slam in back-to-back games. On July 23, 2010, Posada got his 1,000th career RBI against the Kansas City Royals.
in his left knee. Posada was shifted to designated hitter
for the 2011 season due to his declining defensive performance, while Russell Martin
became the everyday catcher.
After starting the 2011 season in a slump, Posada was moved to ninth in the batting order for a May 14 game against the Boston Red Sox. Posada asked to be removed from the lineup. Posada told reporters that he needed time to "clear [his] head" and also mentioned some "stiffness" in his back as the reasons for his request. Manager Joe Girardi
claimed he did not know about the "stiffness" but agreed to give Posada a day off because he thought he needed it "mentally". Posada apologized to Girardi and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman
the next day saying he "just had a bad day" and a "very frustrating season so far". The team management declined to discipline him and considered the matter closed. Posada hit .382 in June, but was removed Posada from the everyday lineup due to his .230 season batting average. On August 13, 2011, his first start since the benching, in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays
, Posada went 3 for 5 with a grand slam and six RBIs. His grand slam was the tenth of his career, moving him past Yogi Berra
and Mickey Mantle
for sixth place on the Yankees' all-time list. On August 25, 2011, he played second base for the first time in his Major League career during the ninth inning of the Yankees' 22 to 9 victory over the A's; Posada recorded the final out by fielding a grounder.
On September 10, 2011, Posada played catcher for the first time all season against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
after Russell Martin
was injured by a foul tip, as Francisco Cervelli
was unavailable to play and Jesus Montero
was the DH for the game. Martin was taken out at the start of the 3rd inning and replaced by Posada. Posada went 1 for 2 with a single and threw out the only baserunner who tried to steal against him. On September 21, 2011, Posada hit a pinch hit, go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the 8th inning, giving the Yankees the lead; the Yankees won the game to clinch the AL East division title. Posada finished the regular season with a .235 batting average, 14 home runs, and 44 RBI.
In the 2011 American League Division Series
, Posada got six hits (including a triple), four runs, and four walks in 14 at-bats as the starting DH for a .429 batting average and a .579 on-base percentage. When asked by a group of reporters after the game if had considered the fact he might have played for the final time with the club with whom he made his major league debut as a September call-up in 1995, Posada said, "I don’t want to look at it like that. We lost, and we’ll see what happens in the off-season." As the interview session went on, he eventually became emotional and left the clubhouse area to compose himself. Girardi said, "This guy, when you look at what he did in this series, he was awesome. He’s had a tremendous career, and I’m sure he’s going to continue to play, and I don't know what’s going to happen." Girardi added, "But you talk about being proud of players — what he went through this year and what he gave us in the postseason, I don’t think there’s a prouder moment that I’ve had of Jorgie."
's regime. Posada, Sr. worked as a scout for the Colorado Rockies
. His uncle, Leo Posada
, played for the Kansas City Athletics.
On January 21, 2000, Jorge married Laura Posada, an attorney and former model and actress from Puerto Rico. They have two children, Jorge Luis and Paulina.
Posada's son, Jorge Luis, suffers from craniosynostosis
, which he was diagnosed with 10 days after he was born. Jorge Luis has endured numerous surgeries to correct the condition. Posada established the Jorge Posada Foundation to help find a cure for the disease and support families with children affected by the condition. Jorge released a charity wine in 2008 called Jorge Cabernet to raise funds for his foundation. In June 2011, his son underwent what Posada hoped would be the final surgery for the condition.
Posada is close personal friends with teammate Derek Jeter
, who served as best man at Posada's wedding.
Posada wrote a children's book entitled Play Ball! that was published in 2006. He and his wife cowrote Fit Home Team, a family health manual, and an autobiography titled The Beauty of Love: A Memoir of Miracles, Hope, and Healing, which describes their personal ordeals and how they dealt with them after learning of their son's birth condition in 1999.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player who is currently a free agent and has played his entire career for the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. He served as the Yankees primary catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for most of his career, though following off-season knee surgery, he was moved to designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
for the 2011 season. He is a switch hitter
Switch hitter
In baseball, a switch-hitter is a player who bats both right-handed and left-handed.-Baseball:Usually, right-handed batters hit better against left-handed pitchers and vice-versa. Most curveballs break away from batters hitting from the same side as the opposing pitcher. Such pitches are often...
, and has been on five All-Star teams
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
over his 16-year career.
He is the only Major League catcher to ever have hit .330 or better with 40 doubles, 20 home runs, and 90 RBIs in a single season. Posada and Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
are the only Yankees catchers to hit 30 home runs in a season. Since 2000, Posada has had more runs batted in, home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, and hits than any other catcher in baseball. Posada is one of the "Core Four
Core Four
The Core Four is a term commonly used to refer to New York Yankees players Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, and Mariano Rivera. All four players were drafted or originally signed by the Yankees and played together in the minor leagues...
" Yankees.
Early life and education
Posada was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico to a CubanCuban
Cuban may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to Cuba, a country in the Caribbean* Cubans, people from Cuba, or of Cuban descent. For more information about the Cuban people, see Demographics of Cuba and Culture of Cuba...
father and a Dominican mother, and attended the Alejandrino High School in San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, where he participated in basketball, volleyball, track, and baseball. As a baseball player in high school, he was named an All-Star player at shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
in the 1988-89 season.
He attended Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College
Calhoun Community College is a two-year institution of higher learning, located in Decatur, Alabama, United States.The largest of the 27 two-year institutions comprising the Alabama Community College System, Calhoun is an open-admission, coeducational, comprehensive community college dedicated to...
in Decatur, Alabama
Decatur, Alabama
Decatur is a city in Limestone and Morgan Counties in the U.S. state of Alabama. The city, affectionately known as "The River City", is located in Northern Alabama on the banks of Wheeler Lake, along the Tennessee River. It is the largest city and county seat of Morgan County...
in 1991, where he received an Associate's Degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
. He was voted best hitter (1990), co-captain (1991), and selected all-conference (1991). He was inducted in the Alabama Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006 and Calhoun retired his number (#6).
Minor leagues
Posada was drafted by the Yankees in the 24th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball Draft1990 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1990 Major League Baseball draft.-Background:The draft went a record 101 rounds, surpassing 1989's total of 88, and included a record 1,487 selections. The Astros led all clubs with 100 selections. Seattle was second with 75,...
as an infielder. He played second base during his first minor league season with the Class-A Oneonta Yankees before being switched to catcher.
While playing for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
in 1994, Posada suffered a home plate collision in which he broke his left leg and dislocated his left ankle.
New York Yankees
Posada has also been a member of four World SeriesWorld Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
championship teams (1998, 1999, 2000, 2009) and six American League championship
American League Championship Series
In Major League Baseball, the American League Championship Series , played in October, is a round in the postseason that determines the winner of the American League pennant...
teams (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009). Posada is a five-time All-Star (2000–03, 2007) and a five-time winner of the Silver Slugger
Silver Slugger
The Silver Slugger Award is awarded annually to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball...
Award in those same years.
1995–1999
Posada debuted with the Yankees in 19951995 Major League Baseball season
Due to the 1994 Major League Baseball strike which carried into the 1995 season, a shortened 144 game schedule commenced on April 25, when the Florida Marlins played host to the Los Angeles Dodgers.-Regular season:...
, playing in one game. He was called up late in the 1996 season
1996 Major League Baseball season
*American League Championship Series MVP: Bernie Williams**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Javy López**National League Division Series*All-Star Game, July 9 at Veterans Stadium: National League, 6-0; Mike Piazza, MVP...
, appearing in 8 games, but was not added to the postseason roster. Posada replaced Jim Leyritz
Jim Leyritz
James Joseph Leyritz is a former catcher and infielder in Major League Baseball.-Early years:Leyritz attended Turpin High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, Middle Georgia Jr...
in 1997 as the backup catcher to Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
, with the expectation that he would appear in approximately 40 games: he started in 52. Going into the 1998 season, Posada pushed for more playing time. Posada caught David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
' perfect game on May 17, 1998. Overall, Posada batted .268 with 17 homers and 63 runs batted in over 111 games in the 1998 season. The Yankees renewed Posada's contract for $350,000 for the 1999 season, less than the $650,000 he asked for. In 1999, Posada batted .245 and committed 17 passed balls.
Girardi helped mentor Posada when they were teammates. The two catchers split time for the Yankees through 1999, with Posada receiving "roughly 60 percent of the playing time behind the plate to Girardi's 40 percent." During the 1999 season, Posada played in 112 games with 379 at-bats, while Girardi played in 65 games with 209 at-bats. While Girardi began the 1999 postseason as the regular catcher, Posada saw increased playing time.
2000–2007
Girardi left the Yankees as a free agent after the 1999 season to become a full-time catcher with the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, which allowed Posada to become the Yankees' full-time catcher. With Girardi gone, the Yankees entrusted Posada with the everyday catching job.
Posada won a Silver Slugger Award for catcher every year from 2000 to 2003. He started the All-Star game at catcher in 2002
2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2002 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 73rd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues that make up Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 9, 2002 at Miller Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the home of...
and 2003
2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2003 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 74th midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues constituting Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 15, 2003 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois, the home of the Chicago...
. In 2003, he hit 30 home runs (one every 16.0 at bats, ninth best in the league) and drove in 101 runs, both career highs. He batted .281 and was also fifth in the league in OBP (.405), and sixth in the league in walks (93; walking 17.5% of the time, a career high). He tied Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
’s record for most home runs by a Yankee catcher and finished third in the MVP voting.
Tony Peña
Antonio Francisco Peña Padilla is a former professional baseball player, manager and current coach. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Pirates, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, White Sox, and Astros. Peña was the manager of the Kansas City Royals between 2002 and 2005. He...
, a former catcher, helped him improve his percentage of runners thrown out stealing second almost 60 points above his career average. He had batted (.277) and had 23 home runs with 93 RBIs.
Posada batted .338, with 20 home runs, 90 RBIs, and career highs in hits (171) and doubles (42) in 2007. He joined Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
as the only two catchers in MLB history to record at least 40 doubles in two separate seasons. He was 3rd in the AL in on-base percentage (.426), 4th in batting average, 6th in OPS
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
(.970), and 8th in doubles and slugging percentage (.543). Posada batted .395 in September, and became the first Yankee catcher since Thurman Munson
Thurman Munson
Thurman Lee Munson was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played his entire 11-year career for the New York Yankees...
, in 1978, to finish among the top 10 AL batting leaders. His longest hitless streak was only 11 at-bats. Posada is the first catcher to hit .330 or better with a slugging percentage of at least .540 and an on-base percentage of at least .420 since Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
in 1996-97. On the final day of the 2007 regular season, Yankees manager Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
allowed Posada to act as the manager for the game, an honor that Torre traditionally bestowed upon a veteran player if the final game does not matter in the standings. The Yankees beat the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
10-4 to give Posada an unofficial win in his 'managerial debut'.
2008–2010
Posada turned down a five year contract offer from the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
to sign a 4-year, $52 million contract to remain with the Yankees.
On July 21, 2008, Posada was placed on the disabled list. Posada intended to recover from this injury in order to perform as designated hitter or first baseman. However, the team decided to acquire Xavier Nady
Xavier Nady
Xavier Clifford Nady VI is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman, who is a free agent.-Amateur career:The St. Louis Cardinals originally drafted Nady in the 4th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft after he was named Northern California Player of the Year in his senior...
, in order to allow him enough time to operate. On July 28, 2008, Yankees officially announced that he would undergo season-ending surgery to repair the glenoid labrum in his right shoulder. Consequently, Posada did not participate again until 2009 spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
.
On April 16, 2009, in the bottom of the 5th inning, he hit the first regular season home run in the new Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
against Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
of the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. In an interleague series against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in June 2010, Posada became the first Yankee since Bill Dickey
Bill Dickey
William Malcolm Dickey was a Major League Baseball catcher and manager.He played his entire 19-year baseball career with the New York Yankees . During Dickey's playing career, the Yankees went to the World Series nine times, winning eight championships...
in 1937 to hit a grand slam in back-to-back games. On July 23, 2010, Posada got his 1,000th career RBI against the Kansas City Royals.
2011
Following the 2010 season, Posada had surgery to repair a torn meniscusTear of meniscus
In sports and orthopedics, a tear of a meniscus is a rupturing of one or more of the fibrocartilage strips in the knee called menisci. When doctors and patients refer to "torn cartilage" in the knee, they actually may be referring to an injury to a meniscus at the top of one of the tibiae. Menisci...
in his left knee. Posada was shifted to designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
for the 2011 season due to his declining defensive performance, while Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...
became the everyday catcher.
After starting the 2011 season in a slump, Posada was moved to ninth in the batting order for a May 14 game against the Boston Red Sox. Posada asked to be removed from the lineup. Posada told reporters that he needed time to "clear [his] head" and also mentioned some "stiffness" in his back as the reasons for his request. Manager Joe Girardi
Joe Girardi
Joseph Elliott Girardi is a former Major League Baseball catcher and current manager of the New York Yankees. During a 15-year playing career, he played from 1989–2003 for the Chicago Cubs, the Colorado Rockies, the New York Yankees, and St. Louis Cardinals...
claimed he did not know about the "stiffness" but agreed to give Posada a day off because he thought he needed it "mentally". Posada apologized to Girardi and Yankees general manager Brian Cashman
Brian Cashman
Brian McGuire Cashman is an American Major League Baseball executive for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Cashman was born in Rockville Centre, New York and raised in Washingtonville, New York. He was raised in an Irish Catholic family. He moved with his family to Lexington, Kentucky, where his...
the next day saying he "just had a bad day" and a "very frustrating season so far". The team management declined to discipline him and considered the matter closed. Posada hit .382 in June, but was removed Posada from the everyday lineup due to his .230 season batting average. On August 13, 2011, his first start since the benching, in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
, Posada went 3 for 5 with a grand slam and six RBIs. His grand slam was the tenth of his career, moving him past Yogi Berra
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
and Mickey Mantle
Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle was an American professional baseball player. Mantle is regarded by many to be the greatest switch hitter of all time, and one of the greatest players in baseball history. Mantle was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.Mantle was noted for his hitting...
for sixth place on the Yankees' all-time list. On August 25, 2011, he played second base for the first time in his Major League career during the ninth inning of the Yankees' 22 to 9 victory over the A's; Posada recorded the final out by fielding a grounder.
On September 10, 2011, Posada played catcher for the first time all season against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
after Russell Martin
Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Jeanson Coltrane Martin, Jr is a Canadian Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees.Martin became the everyday catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers immediately upon his Major League debut, and continued in that role for nearly 5 years...
was injured by a foul tip, as Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli
Francisco Cervelli is a Major League Baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. He was an international signee by the Yankees in and played in the 2009 World Baseball Classic for the Italian team. He is Hispanic of Italian descent...
was unavailable to play and Jesus Montero
Jesus Montero
Jesús Alejandro Montero is a Venezuelan baseball catcher for the New York Yankees. At the time of his signing, the Yankees projected him as a possible future replacement for Jorge Posada, however there were doubts about whether his height and weight were conducive to being an everyday...
was the DH for the game. Martin was taken out at the start of the 3rd inning and replaced by Posada. Posada went 1 for 2 with a single and threw out the only baserunner who tried to steal against him. On September 21, 2011, Posada hit a pinch hit, go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the 8th inning, giving the Yankees the lead; the Yankees won the game to clinch the AL East division title. Posada finished the regular season with a .235 batting average, 14 home runs, and 44 RBI.
In the 2011 American League Division Series
2011 American League Division Series
The 2011 American League Division Series were two best-of-five playoffs comprising the opening round of the Major League Baseball postseason, played to determine the participating teams in the 2011 American League Championship Series. Three divisional winners and a fourth team—a wild card—played...
, Posada got six hits (including a triple), four runs, and four walks in 14 at-bats as the starting DH for a .429 batting average and a .579 on-base percentage. When asked by a group of reporters after the game if had considered the fact he might have played for the final time with the club with whom he made his major league debut as a September call-up in 1995, Posada said, "I don’t want to look at it like that. We lost, and we’ll see what happens in the off-season." As the interview session went on, he eventually became emotional and left the clubhouse area to compose himself. Girardi said, "This guy, when you look at what he did in this series, he was awesome. He’s had a tremendous career, and I’m sure he’s going to continue to play, and I don't know what’s going to happen." Girardi added, "But you talk about being proud of players — what he went through this year and what he gave us in the postseason, I don’t think there’s a prouder moment that I’ve had of Jorgie."
Personal life
Posada's father, Jorge Posada, Sr., is Cuban, but defected to Puerto Rico to escape Fidel CastroFidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
's regime. Posada, Sr. worked as a scout for the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. His uncle, Leo Posada
Leo Posada
Leopoldo Jesús Posada Hernández is a former major league baseball outfielder.-Career:Posada was signed as undrafted amateur free agent by the Milwaukee Braves in 1954. In 1956, he was selected by the Kansas City Athletics from the Braves in the minor league draft.Posada played for the Athletics...
, played for the Kansas City Athletics.
On January 21, 2000, Jorge married Laura Posada, an attorney and former model and actress from Puerto Rico. They have two children, Jorge Luis and Paulina.
Posada's son, Jorge Luis, suffers from craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis
Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the fibrous sutures in an infant skull prematurely fuses by ossification, thereby changing the growth pattern of the skull...
, which he was diagnosed with 10 days after he was born. Jorge Luis has endured numerous surgeries to correct the condition. Posada established the Jorge Posada Foundation to help find a cure for the disease and support families with children affected by the condition. Jorge released a charity wine in 2008 called Jorge Cabernet to raise funds for his foundation. In June 2011, his son underwent what Posada hoped would be the final surgery for the condition.
Posada is close personal friends with teammate Derek Jeter
Derek Jeter
Derek Sanderson Jeter is an American baseball shortstop who has played 17 years in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A twelve-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, Jeter's clubhouse presence, on-field leadership, hitting ability, and baserunning have made him a central...
, who served as best man at Posada's wedding.
Posada wrote a children's book entitled Play Ball! that was published in 2006. He and his wife cowrote Fit Home Team, a family health manual, and an autobiography titled The Beauty of Love: A Memoir of Miracles, Hope, and Healing, which describes their personal ordeals and how they dealt with them after learning of their son's birth condition in 1999.
Awards
| Award / Honor | Time(s) | Date(s) |
|---|---|---|
| AL All-Star Major League Baseball All-Star Game The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers... |
5 | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007 |
| AL Silver Slugger Award C | 5 | 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007 |
| International League International League The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States... All-Star C |
2 | 1995, 1996 |
| Baseball America Baseball America Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a... First-Team Major League All-Star C |
1 | 2002 |
| Carolina League Carolina League The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth... All-Star |
1 | 1993 |
| Thurman Munson Award | 1 | 2000 |
| Milton Richman Milton Richman Milton Richman was an American sports columnist and sports editor for United Press International who was inducted into the Writer's Wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.-Biography:... "You Gotta' Have Heart" Award |
1 | 2001 |
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- List of Major League Baseball players from Puerto Rico
- Top 300 home run hitters of all time
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBIs
- New York Yankees award winners and league leadersNew York Yankees award winners and league leadersThis is a list of award winners and league leaders for the New York Yankees professional baseball team.-Baseball Hall of Famers:-Most Valuable Player:*1923 - Babe Ruth*1927 - Lou Gehrig*1936 - Lou Gehrig *1939 - Joe DiMaggio*1941...
- List of New York Yankees Opening Day starting lineups