The day when Jorge Posada is no longer the Yankees' every-day catcher is approaching.I've mentioned several times that over the past two seasons the Yankees have brought in great talent, but great character guys as well. Players that will do what the team needs of them and be happy about it, or at least act like they are. Usually when we speak about the great character of the new guys, we sometimes forget about the great character and leadership that had already been on the roster.
Nobody squats forever, and at 38, Posada understands the deal. Yet for a kid who fought his way out of Puerto Rico and a junior college in Alabama and battled voices in the Yankees organization that insisted he wasn't good enough, he isn't going away just because of his age and reputation as a catcher whose switch-hitting bat outweighs his defense.
"I am going to make it tough, that's the way I was brought up," Posada said. "We got a lot of talent, but I am going to make it tough for them. I don't want to go away. I am having fun and enjoy playing. To tell you the truth, they are going to really have to rip [the uniform] off me."
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"I see myself catching next year. I don't know what is going to happen beyond next year," said Posada, who can be a free agent after the 2011 season. "I think I can still do it. I am happy and I am fine."
And enough of a pro to know that while he wants to hold off the kids, they are teammates who look to him for advice.
"They understand. We do a lot of work together," said Posada, who hit .285 with 22 homers and 81 RBIs last year. "I am going to be there and help out. When we do the work, I am going to tell them what I saw. We are on a team here."
He's not the captain, but Jorge Posada has been one of the main leaders on this team for around a decade now. And just like it's going to be hard to get Jeter away from shortstop, it will be just as hard for Posada to give up his starting catchers spot. While this isn't necessarily good for the team, it's understandable. However, at the same time Posada shows how great a teammate he truly is by helping his toughest competition, all for the good of the team.
There are many players out there that will try to halt (or at least not help) a player's progression if it means they might keep their job longer. Players that will make rookies and prospects feel unwelcome in their own clubhouse. The Yankees are very lucky to have veterans, who know their time is running out, but are still there to help anyone who needs it. What these guys show by their actions is that they not only care how the team does now, but in the future as well.
