Posada To Throw Out First Pitch Tomorrow

From David Waldstein:

It has been six months since an emotional Jorge Posada walked out of Yankee Stadium, unable to express himself publicly except through his tears. Posada knew that night, after the Yankees’ season-ending loss to the Detroit Tigers, that he had played his final game as a Yankee.

...

But on Friday, Posada will have his chance to see how much the fans appreciated him. The Yankees announced on Wednesday that Posada would throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Friday’s home opener against the Los Angeles Angels. While Derek Jeter, Posada’s closest friend on the team, said he would not catch the pitch, another one of Posada’s longtime teammates volunteered for the duty.

“Definitely, I would like to,” said Mariano Rivera, who played almost all of his career with Posada.

...

“I think it’s great,” Girardi said. “I’m happy to see him and I know all the guys will be happy to see him as well. It adds to the excitement. I’m sure the fans are going to show their appreciation for him, as well they should. He was a great Yankee.”

...

“It will be a special moment for him,” Jeter said. “I don’t want to speak for him, but I can only imagine what it will be like.”

...

“I think he’s going to be very emotional, knowing Jorge,” Rivera said. “But at the same time, he’s going to be very happy. We’ll be happy. I’ll be happy to see him. I haven’t seen him since he retired.”

It'll be great to see Jorge back in the Bronx, and with a "worried" Kuroda going up against Albert Pujols and the Angels, it will probably be the highlight of the day.

Jorge Says Goodbye

Here's some videos of today's tearful press conference:


Jorge officially announces his retirement


Jorge answers questions from the media


The fans thank Jorge

More videos can be found here.

We have all been privileged to watch you play and fight for this team for the last 17 years. You did it the right way and most importantly, you were a winner. Thanks you, Jorge!

Posada to Officially Retire Tomorrow

From Wallace Matthews:

The YES Network will televise Jorge Posada's retirement press conference live from Yankee Stadium beginning at 11 a.m.

Should be a pretty sad day in Yankeeland, though it would have been sadder to see him in a Rays uniform.

Yogi: Jorge is a Very Proud and Important Yankee

From Anthony McCarron:

With Jorge Posada set to announce his retirement in the coming weeks, another terrific Yankee backstop - Yogi Berra - appreciates that Posada is keeping his career pinstripes-only.

"Jorge is a good, caring man and a real good ballplayer for a long time," Berra said Monday. "It's nice he spent his whole career with one team, he's been a very proud and important Yankee. I wish him and Laura and their family only the best."

Video: Posada Clinches The Division

Here's one of the last great moments in Posada's great Yankee career:

Also, here is a link to his Prime 9 moments (for some reason the damn embed code won't work).

Jorge Posada To Announce Retirement

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Jorge Posada will announce his retirement "within the next two weeks".

Smart move by Jorge to retire a Yankee, and walk away after a solid postseason performance. I couldn't imagine him in any other uniform.

Hats off to ya Jorgie, thanks for being one of the greatest offensive catchers of our generation.

Hip Hip, Jorge!

Rays, O's & Phillies Interested in Jorge

From MLB.com:

The Tampa Bay Rays appear to have interest in signing free-agent catcher/designated hitter Jorge Posada, according to a report from ESPN Deportes.

Posada could serve as a backup at first base, DH and catcher, the story states, which potentially would give the Rays a 36-year-old starting catcher in Jose Molina and a 40-year-old reserve in Posada. During the 2011 season, the final year of a four-year, $52.4 million deal with the Yankees, Posada played just six innings behind the plate.

There is still a decision to be made by Posada, who is drawing interest from the Orioles and Phillies according to the same report, as to whether he will return for the 2012 campaign or retire. Posada has a .273 average with 275 home runs and 1,065 RBIs in 1,829 career games played over 17 years. He was a major contributor to four Yankees World Series championship teams, producing 11 postseason homers and 42 RBIs in total.

I'd hate to see Jorge sign with another team, especially one the Yanks would have to play 18 times, but who am I to tell the guy what to do, right?

That said, I do believe signing on somewhere else for one or two more sub-par years wouldn't do much for his legacy in this game.

More From Heyman: Posada Would Like To Sign With Marlins

Posada Says His Days in The Bronx Are Over

From Mike Mazzeo:

Jorge Posada remains undecided on his future but believes it won't be with the New York Yankees.

"It's not gonna happen," Posada said Wednesday night at a Manhattan function for The Jorge Posada Foundation. "I don't think there is even a percentage of a chance that I can come back."

The free agent says he's not bitter with the organization he has played for his entire career. He said five or six teams have shown interest in his services.

"I will always be a Yankee. The New York Yankees, for me, is my second family," Posada said. "It'd be tough to put on another uniform for real and learn a new set of rules. But it's one of those things where I have to see if I wanna keep playing."

"At the end of the day, it's a business," he added. "You look back and you wish there were some things that could've gone differently, but they didn't. Everything happened for a reason. I'm not bitter at the Yankees. I'm not bitter at (manager) Joe Girardi. I'm not bitter at (general manager) Brian Cashman. It just happens."

...

"I started working out again Nov. 1 like I always do, but I have no idea what's gonna happen," Posada said. "A lot of teams called after the season was over. I'm undecided. I don't know if I wanna play or stay home. I'm having fun with the kids and my family, but I don't know what I wanna do. I don't wanna make the mistake of telling you that I'm not gonna play or telling you that I am gonna play when I don't know what I wanna do."

This comes as no surprise to me and I'm sure to many other Yankees fans out there. I just hope he hangs it up. He had a great career with one team and that's the legacy he should maintain. It's a rare thing these days, and there's no reason to ruin it by hanging on for one more year.

Posada's Emotional Post Game Comments

From Rick Carpiniello:

Did Posada consider whether he’d just played his final game in a Yankees uniform:

“I don’t know. I don’t know,” he said. “That’s a tough one. We’ll see. I don’t want to look at it like that. We lost. We’ll see what happens in the offseason.”

Would he want to come back in a similar, or lesser role?

“I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I really can’t answer that right now. We just lost a tough series. We come back home to lose 3-2, it’s a tough one.”

Did he think about it during the game?

“No. No. It was all about the game. You put yourself in the situation of trying to win the ballgame. That’s all you think about.”

Asked about memories (presumably of all his years as a Yankee, the question was inaudible):

“I don’t go back as far as (yesterday). I don’t know. I can’t answer it. Really. I gave it all on the field.”

About the fans:

“They’ve been awesome. The fans have been unbelievable to this team and to me, and I give them a lot of credit. They kept me here.”

If this loss hurts more than others …

“Sorry,” he said, rubbing his eyes. Then he broke down in tears and left the clubhouse.

If this was the end for Jorge at least he went out with a nice series. He finished the ALDS with a .429 batting average, going 6-for-14, with 4 walks.

Thanks for the great career, Jorge.

Girardi: I Expect Jorge To Be On Postseason Roster

From Dan Martin:

Jorge Posada didn't just get the game-winning hit to clinch the Yankees' AL East title on Wednesday, he may also have given manager Joe Girardi more to think about when he puts his postseason roster together.

"It definitely helps," Girardi said of Posada's pinch-hit heroics. "I don't have a 100 percent [decision], but I expect him to be there."

Posada said he was pleased to hear his manager speak with that kind of confidence, because his spot in the postseason is anything but certain.

"I was hoping I was there," Posada said before starting at first base and going 1-for-5 in the Yankees' 15-8 loss to the Rays last night at the Stadium. He also struck out with the bases loaded in the eighth. "It's their decision and I'm glad it sounds like I'm going to be in it."

But Posada wasn't ready to place all the credit on that one single.

"I hope they have more to go on than [Wednesday] night," Posada said. "I hope I've shown them something this year."

I have no problem with him being a member of the postseason roster, whether this year's performance deserves it or not (it does not). DH him vs. lefties and see what you can get out of him. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he ended up having a solid postseason.

AL East Champs!

MLB.com

With a thrilling 4-2 victory tonight, the Yankees swept the day-night doubleheader vs. the Rays and clinched the 2011 American League East. Jorge Posada dramatically got the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 8th, a 2-run single with the bases loaded to put the Yanks ahead for good.

Then they broke out the bubbly and had a very energetic celebration in the clubhouse.

Underdogs? Yeah right.

Now its time to get ready for their ultimate goal....

Haren Throws CG Shutout, Yanks Drop 4th Straight

(Getty Images/Yahoo!)

Just this sight alone, though a somewhat happy one, represented that things were not going right for the Yankees tonight. Russell Martin left the game with an injury in the 3rd inning, and in to replace him at catcher went 40-year old Jorge Posada. Though he did a serviceable job, the Yankees bats did not, and the Bombers dropped their 4th straight game 6-0.

CC Sabathia had another very high pitch count, but another nice outing as well, throwing 6 innings of 1 run ball. CC managed to escape a few jams, and normally would have done enough to get a win. But not tonight. In fact he was tagged with the loss.

For the Halos, Dan Haren threw a complete-game 4-hit shutout, as the Yankees simply couldn't get anything started against him. Yes, Weaver has been great, but don't overlook Dan Haren. If the Angels make the playoffs, that 1-2 punch can seriously give them a chance to get to the Fall Classic.

Rough outings by Hector Noesi and George Kontos (his MLB debut) gave the Angels those 5 extra insurance runs.

Luckily, Boston lost to Tampa again, so the Yankees' lead in the AL East remains 2.5 games.

The Yankees will now try to regroup, and honor New York City with a win on the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. The game will be on YES.

Martin Leaves With Hand Contusion, Posada Catching

The Yankees stretch of seemingly injury after injury after injury continued tonight in Anaheim, when catcher Russell Martin left the game with a right hand contusion after taking a foul tip off his right thumb. He is currently listed as day-to-day.

And the guy who replaced Martin behind the plate is none other than Jorge Posada, catching for the first time since Game 6 of the ALCS last October. And the first batter who got on, Howie Kendrick - Posada got him out trying to steal.

Hip Hip, Jorge!

Where is Jesus?

I present to you a series of triple-slash lines:

.279/.355/.467
.280/.385/.560
.229/.320/.385
.234/.308/.313

The first two lines illustrate the reasoning that many believe is keeping Jesus Montero and his 7 home runs and .900+ OPS in the month of August toiling away in Scranton-Wilkes/Barre. Jorge Posada's line against RHP comes first, and Andruw Jones's demolition of LHP is second. Essentially, the Yankees DH platoon is more than adequate when utilized properly. This allows the Yankees to prevent the inevitable can of worms that would be opened from an actual permanent benching of Posada without being disingenuous ... he really is getting the job done against righties, and Jones is more than doing his part against southpaws.

That doesn't tell the whole story, however. The third line is Russell Martin since his incredible April, which is significantly bolstered by the last week or so. Last is Brett Gardner over the last five weeks, a similar downturn to last season (which was attributed to his injured wrist). Both Martin and Gardner have played nearly every day when healthy, so it may simply be a matter of their bodies breaking down in the heat and humidity of the summer.

How does this apply to Montero? It's simple, really. By calling up Montero the Yankees could rest Martin against tough righties, allowing the defensive stalwart to rest a couple of times per week. Against lefties, Gardner could take the day off, Jones can shift to left, and Montero could shed the tools of ignorance and focus on swinging the stick. All told, this would likely provide Martin and Gardner with two days off per week, rejuvenating them for the stretch run and postseason. It would also allow the Yankees to see what sort of player they have in Montero, both behind the plate and at the dish (while also relieving him of the rigors of catching everyday in the minors).

To provide for this strategy, the Yankees need only send Cervelli down ... a minor loss, if a loss at all. Is this a perfect solution? That's impossible to know without any action - but it certainly seems reasonable and simplistic.

Jorge Thinks He Can Catch Next Year

Via Wallace Matthews:

"I could catch next year,'' Posada said in the clubhouse before tonight's game with the Kansas City Royals. "I could have (caught) this year. I could have been a backup this year, could have backed somebody up.''

...

"It’s not easy to do something you’re not used to,'' he said. "But if I'm upset with anyone, I'm upset with myself, just overall. I don’t know what happened this year, I really don’t know. There's some things I could have done differently but I can't pinpoint what they are."

Physically, yes he can probably still catch, but he has been below average defensively for a long time now and I can't imagine a year off will help.

Also, there's no need to wonder what happened this year, he's a 39-year-old, sometimes you just get old.

Posada Plans To Play In 2012

From Mark Hale:

Jorge Posada wearing anything but Yankees pinstripes? That would have seemed impossible a few months ago.

Not anymore.

Posada, a career-long Yankee who is celebrating his 20th year with the organization, said he would consider playing for another team once his contract is up at the end of this season.

"It could [happen]," Posada told The Post yesterday. "I don't know what's going to happen after this year. But we'll see."

...

"The fans are a big reason why I love playing the game, and especially here," Posada said Saturday. "I play for them."

Nevertheless, Posada would consider playing for another team, though he admitted leaving The Bronx would be difficult.

Seeing Jorge in another uniform would be slightly nauseating, but it appears that's exactly what's going to happen. I can't imagine him being in the Yankees plans going forward, so if he's going to play next year I have to believe it won't be here.

So now what do you do?

Jorge Posada rejoined the lineup today and just happened to have his best game of the year. The switch-hitter went 3-for-5 with a homer (grand slam) and 6 RBI.

Phil Hughes also had his second straight strong start, and he did it against a good team. Hughes went 6, allowing 2 runs on just 4 hits, while striking out 6 and walking 1. That's two starts in a row that are better than anything A.J. Burnett has done for over a month.

The first one is pretty easy to manage. You get the guy some more at-bats and see what happens. If he hits, you play him, and if he doesn't, you don't. But the Hughes decision, especially after Brian Cashman's ridiculous comments earlier today, is much harder to figure out. If it were my call, I'd stick with a six-man rotation one more time through the rotation and see what each of these guys do with their next starts, and go from there.

What would you do? Did Posada hit his way back into the lineup? And should Phil Hughes stay in the rotation?

Posada To Bench, Chavez To DH For a While

Is Russell Martin Headed For The DL?

From Brian Costello:

A few hours before last night's 1-0 loss to the Indians, Russell Martin sounded optimistic about his aching back.

"It will be fine," the Yankees catcher said. "I can tell. It's something I'll play through."

His tone must have changed because 90 minutes later, the Yankees announced Martin was scratched from the lineup with back stiffness, with Francisco Cervelli taking his place as the starting catcher.

...the Yankees have to be getting concerned with the back problem Martin can't shake, and a trip to the disabled list has to be considered. The 28-year-old had missed four consecutive games with the back problem before returning to the lineup Sunday. He underwent an MRI exam on Thursday that showed no problems.

Costello argues that a few weeks might be the best thing for Martin, who has been struggling. Since May 1st, he's hitting .183/.309/.301 and he's just 2 for his last 31. Long believes the injury is to blame.

"He's been so beat up," Long said. "It's really unfair to judge. He basically busted up his toe twice. He's basically swinging without his legs. Anytime you do that, you get into some funks

If he does land on the DL, it'll be interesting to see what the Yankees do.

Personally I'd like to see Jesus Montero get a shot. Even if he's here for just a few weeks, the experience will help him and he could be a bolt of energy that this team will need to overcome these injuries and catch the red-hot Red Sox.

If not Montero you're looking at Francisco Cervelli and his .191 (and dropping) batting average getting most, if not all of the innings behind the plate. Besides the lack of hitting he's already racked up 5 throwing errors behind the plate-in just 16 games-tying him for 2nd most in all of baseball.

With Cervelli starting everyday, I assume the Yanks might let Posada get a game or two back there as well, but at this point I'm kinda scared to make him start catching again. With the luck this team has had lately it looks like another leg injury in the making.

Anyway, we don't even know if he's going to go on the DL so this could all be pointless. But if he does, what would you like to see the Yankees do?

EDIT: Thank you to SIH reader Liam for reminding me about Gustavo Molina. He is also an option.