tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Posada Goes Out In Style

It has been a difficult year for Jorge Posada. Before training camp, Brian Cashman told the aging Posada not to bother bringing his catching equipment because he was going to be the full time DH. As his troubles batting right-handed continued, he faced the demotion in the lineup vs the Red Sox and the ultimate removal from the lineup vs the Red Sox in September. Questions surrounded him as to whether or not he would be on the post season roster. However, his clutch hitting against the Rays in the division clinching game convinced the Yankee high command that Posada would play in October. It may have been the only good decision they made going into the post season.

Posada was the leading Yankee hitter in the starting lineup. A lineup that consisted of Robinson Cano, Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixiera, Alex Rodriguez and Nick Swisher. Posada hit .429 and seemed to be on base every time he was up. It's almost like he knew this was it and he was going to go out in style. The sad thing is that the Yankees didn't capitalize on this Core 4 members last hurrah. I haven't heard anyone ask this question but why didn't Joe Girardi move Posada up in the lineup?? How about flip-flopping Posada and Swisher?? Maybe with Posada at the plate in the bottom of the 7th with the bases loaded and 2 outs he gets the job done. Of course we will never know because Girardi trotted out the same lineup 5 days in a row. More on Girardi in another post.

When you look at Posada's career stats they are average. His career regular season stats: .273 batting average with 275 home runs and 1,065 RBI's. Post season stats: .248 with 11 home runs and 42 RBI's. So the numbers are not great. But Posada understood what it means to be a Yankee. He came up through the Yankee farm system. He detested losing. I'll never forget the double he hit in the 2003 ALCS against the Red Sox. There is that picture of Posada screaming in jubilation as he reached second base.

There is no question that Posada's skills have declined over the last 2 years. The Yankees can't really bring him back. With ARod probably going to need more DH time and the emergence of Jesus Montero and Austin Romine, there is no room for Posada. He has been a good Yankee and he went out in style leading the team he has only ever played for in hitting. The sad thing is its one more player gone from the glory years and you have to wonder if we will ever see such a run again.