Jorge Posada
After a slow start early in his career when he found himself caddying for veteran catchers who were known for their defense, Jorge Posada developed into one of the most popular backstops in Yankee history. A switch-hitter, Posada was adept at pulling the ball into the short corner in Yankee Stadium from the left side of the plate. He established himself as a constant on the Yankees in the 1990s and early 2000s, as free agents came in and out of George Steinbrenner's star-studded lineup. A four-time All-Star, Posada delivered one of the biggest hits in the Yankees Game Seven rally against the Red Sox in the 2003 American League Championship Series.
| Career Batting Stats |
| G |
AB |
H |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
SLG |
OBP |
OPS |
OPS+ |
| 1483 |
4982 |
1379 |
762 |
221 |
883 |
16 |
.277 |
.477 |
.380 |
.857 |
111.3 |
|
Quotes From Jorge Posada
"It�s just about feel. The way the bat feels in my hands; I like to feel the pine tar, I like to feel the dirt, I like to feel the tape I put on the bat, and I like to feel the wood on the bat." � Jorge Posada, on why he chooses not to wear batting gloves
Where does Jorge Posada rank among baseball greats?
Jorge Posada ranks #19 among the Top 50 all-time at C. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 2003
"Jorgie" finished third in American League Most Valuable Player voting. He hit 30 homers and drove in 101 runs, while drawing 93 walks.
Jorgie vs. Jason
Born eight months apart in 1971-1972, Jorge Posada and Jason Varitek traveled vastly different paths to the big leagues, but they ended up battling each other in many of the most dramatic games in the Red Sox/Yankees rivalry, both wearing the tools of ignorance as switch-hitting All-Star catchers.
Fans of both teams have debated the merits of Varitek and Posada since 1999, when Jason took over the starting job for the Sox. That season, Varitek hit 20 homers and posted .269/.482/.330, while Posada went .245/.401/.341 with 12 dingers in the pinstripes. But Jorge's Yankees won their second straight World Series, while Varitek's Sox finished four games behind.
Starting in 2000, Posada posted better power numbers: slugging 28, 22, 20, 30, and 21 homers through 2004. Varitek was less consistent, going 10, 7 (injury-year), 10, 25, and 18. Playing a few more games each season, Posada also drove in more runs, topping out at 101 in 2003, when he finished third in AL MVP voting. Varitek received a few MVP votes in 2003, 2004, and 2005.
Finally, in 2004, Varitek's team vanquished the Yankees in the playoffs, and his "in-your-face" confrontation with Alex Rodriguez in July was a pivotal point in Boston's season. Still, Posada owns more rings: four to one.
Defensively, Varitek is universally considered to be the better catcher. However, Posada is no slouch. Though he's not known for his plate-blocking (Varitek is legendary at this facet of the game), Posada has a strong and accurate arm, and has done an admirable job catching a myriad of different pitchers in his years with the Bombers. Yet, behind Ivan Rodriguez, Varitek was the best overall defensive receiver in the AL, and in 2005, he finally snatched the Gold Glove from Pudge.
Given the intangibles (Varitek is the captain and emotional field leader of the Sox), Varitek draws closer in comparison to Posada, who has been a superior offensive force during his career. Now 33 years old, an age when catchers start to rapidly decline, both Posada and Varitek's best seasons are behind them. But given Posada's diving SLG percentage in 2004-2005 (.481, .430), while Varitek continues to take advantage of Fenway Park (.482, .489 during the same span), Jason might post better numbers in the final phase of his career.
Where He Played
Catcher
Born
Jorge Rafael (Villeta) Posada was born on August 17, 1971, in Santurce
Batted: Both
Threw: Right
College: Calhoon CC
Major League Debut
9 4,
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1995
Ray Durham
Johnny Damon
Edgardo Alfonzo
Derek Jeter
Bobby Higginson
Jason Giambi
Billy Wagner
Mariano Rivera
Troy Percival
Family Tree
Jorge is the nephew of former outfielder Leo Posada, who played for the A's in the 1960s, and was once traded for Bill Kunkel, a Yankee pitcher who went on to a long career as a major league umpire.
Related Players
In 2003, Posada received five first place votes for AL MVP. Carlos Delgado also got five, and winner Alex Rodriguez got six... Often compared to Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, also a switch-hitter.
Post-Season Appearances
1995 American League Divisional Series
1997 American League Divisional Series
1998 World Series
1998 American League Divisional Series
1998 American League Championship Series
1999 World Series
1999 American League Championship Series
1999 American League Divisional Series
2000 World Series
2000 American League Championship Series
2000 American League Divisional Series
2001 American League Championship Series
2001 World Series
2001 American League Divisional Series
2002 American League Divisional Series
2003 American League Divisional Series
2003 World Series
2003 American League Championship Series
2004 American League Divisional Series
2004 American League Championship Series
2005 American League Divisional Series
Milestones
Posada colected his 1,000th hit on August 20, 2005, a ground-rule double off Bobby Jenks of the White Sox.
Batting Feats
- August 23, 1998: Switch HR same game...
- July 10, 1999: Switch HR same game...
- April 23, 2000: Switch HR same game...
- June 28, 2002: Switch HR same game...
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
Posada was red-hot in April of 2007, but he missed at least three games with a bruised left thumb... In August of 2007, Posada missed a few games after he woke up from a hotel sleep in Toronto with a stiff neck. He blamed it on bad pillows... Posada was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career in late April 2008, due to a painful right shoulder. When the announcement was made, Posada had tears in his eyes in the Yankee clubhouse.
All-Star Selections
2000 AL
2001 AL
2002 AL
2003 AL
Learn More about Jorge Posada
Search Amazon.com for Books about Jorge Posada ⇒
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View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒