In an emotional press conference, long time New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada announced his retirement. Flanked by his wife Laura and two children Jorge Jr. and Paulina, Posada said a tearful good-bye to the only team he's played with as a professional ballplayer.
Teammates Derek Jeter, CC Sabathia and Mariano Rivera were in attendance, along with Yankee General Manager Brian Cashman, Yankee manager Joe Girardi and former bench coach and Yankee great, Willie Randolph.
Posada began the press conference by reading a typed speech, thanking his teammates, coaches, former coaches and family. He had to stop to compose himself a couple of times while talking about his family.
Posada answered questions from reporters in both English and Spanish and he was also presented with a video starring some longtime Yankees season ticket holders who spoke glowingly about the departing five-time World Series champion.
The video highlighted some key moments in his long and storied Yankees career; his first hit, his first home run, his game tying double against Pedro Martinez in the 2003 American League Championship, just to name a few.
Diana Munson, wife of the late Yankees catcher Thurman Munson, who attended the press conference as a special guest, spoke glowingly of Posada. She said that Jorge Posada's spirit helped her to enjoy watching the game of baseball again, that he reminded her of her late husband. She also said that she thought Posada and Thurman Munson could have been best friends.
Mrs. Munson closed her speech by saying, “I am so honored to have loved two Yankees catchers in my life."
Jorge Posada retires with a .273 career average, 275 home runs and 1,065 RBIs. Will those numbers be good enough to enter the Baseball Hall of Fame? Time will tell.
If New York Yankee fans had their way, Posada would be there.
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