A Look Back at the Career of Jorge Posada

Today the New York Yankees will retire #20, a number last worn by 17-year veteran and Core Four catcher ‘hip-hip’ Jorge Posada. Though Jorge Posada had a rough ending to his career in pinstripes, he was undoubtedly the backbone of the Yankees dynasty through the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Here is a look back at the brilliant career of Jorge Posada.

It all started when he attended Calhoun Community College in Decatur, Alabama as a second baseman. At Calhoun, Posada was voted best offensive player in 1990. In 1991 he was named co-captain and was selected to the All-Conference team. That same year he was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 24th round (646th overall) as a shortstop, and signed his first professional contract on May 24th, 1991.

After being converted from an infielder to a catcher down in the minors, Jorge Posada continued to tear up the competition offensively, and after slashing .271/.405/.460 with 11 HRs and 62 RBI in his final season with the Columbus Clippers (AAA), a than 24-year old prospect would stick with the Yankees for 17-straight seasons through 2011.

He made his major league professional debut on September 4, 1995 as a defensive substitution for Jim Leyritz. Interestingly enough, fellow Core Four member Andy Pettitte started for the Yankees on that very same day.

Five years later, Jorge Posada was named the starting catcher for the Yankees in 2000, taking over for current skipper Joe Girardi, and remaining the starting backstop for 11-straight seasons.

Over the course of his 17-year career, Jorge Posada was awarded numerous awards, including the Thurman Munson Award for his ‘baseball accomplishments and philanthropic work in New York’. Over the course of three straight seasons from 2000 to 2003, he was also awarded the Silver Slugger Award. He received the 2001 Milton Richman “You Gotta’ Have Heart” Award by the New York Chapter of the BBWAA.

Off the field, Jorge was also named one of the Diamond Dad’s Founding Fathers in 2003 and was nominated for a Roberto Clemente Award in 2005 and in 2007 he was later named one of the finalists. In 2007 he received the Bart Giamatti “Caring” Award from MLB’s Baseball Assistance Team. Jorge was also honored with the Mentor of the Year Award from Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. and Fashion Delivers in 2006. Both Jorge and his wife Laura received the 2006 Puerto Rican Family Foundation Excellence Award for their commitment to children, especially those affected by Craniosynostosis.

Alongside fellow Core Four teammates Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada is a decorated five time World Series Champion – 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2009. He was also a five-time American League All-Star – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2007.

In 2003 he tied Yogi Berra’s historical record for most home runs in a season by a Yankee catcher (30), and ranked third in the American League Most Valuable Player selection. He became the first Yankee to make six straight Opening-Day starts as a catcher since Thurman Munson. In 2005, he recorded his 1,000th career hit with a seventh-inning double in a win over the Chicago White Sox.

Jorge Posada’s last MLB appearance came on October 6, 2011 in Yankee Stadium when the Yankees were eliminated from the ALDS by the Detroit Tigers.

When all was said and done, Posada became just the fifth MLB catcher to record at least 1,500 hits, 350 doubles, 275 homers and 1,000 RBI in a single career. As a starting catcher from 2000 to 2o11, he recorded more RBIs and more home runs than any other catcher in baseball. He is still the only MLB catcher to ever bat .330 or higher with 40 doubles, 2o home runs and 90 RBI in a single season.

Enjoy the day and welcome to Monument Park Mr. Jorge Posada! An honor well deserved!

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