News leaked yesterday that New York Yankee legend Jorge Posada is set to retire in the coming weeks, effectively ending his 17-year baseball career.  This marks the end of an era for the Yankees, as in consecutive years two of the four last remaining players from their late 90’s dynasty years will have gone on to retirement. 

Though deep down I knew it was coming, I am definitely saddened by Jorge’s departure.   He is without a doubt one of my favorite Yankees of all-time, a true warrior and winner who wore the pinstripes with honor.  This year was tough to watch, as Jorge struggled adapting to the DH role for most of his final season(hitting for a batting average of only .235), and for a time it looked like he might suffer the indignity of being left off the Yankees postseason roster.  Thankfully he ended up going out on a high note.  Jorge not only was included on the playoff roster, but proved to be his team’s most productive hitter at the plate, batting a club-high .429 in the Yankees ALDS loss to the Detroit Tigers.      

It is rare in the era of free agency for a player to remain with a team for his entire career, and though I would’ve tuned in if Jorge decided to continue his career elsewhere, I am glad he will retire having only played for the Yankees.  On the heels of his great turn back the clock postseason, part of me hoped the Yankees might consider bringing him back for one more year.  Looking at the big picture, Yankee GM Brian Cashman seemed more than ready to move away from Posada, and all things considered you can’t blame him.  As much as I hate to admit it, having watched Jorge play since the late 90’s and knowing how consistently great he used to be game after game, year after year, his decline has been painfully evident over the last few seasons.  His value used to be his greatness as a hitting catcher, and when the value of his hitting could no longer compensate for his deficiencies behind the plate, the Yankees understandably had to move in a different direction.  Given Jorge’s difficulties as a DH this year coupled with the litany of aging 30 something players have to rotate at that spot going forward (Messrs A-Rod, Jeter, and Mark Teixeira), I think Posada was aware his time had finally run out.     

With plenty of time to look back and celebrate Jorge’s remarkable career, I will provide a preliminary look ahead to whether or not Jorge will become the 16^th (or 17^th, with Mike Piazza up for induction in the coming years) catcher to be inducted in the Hall of Fame. 

Pros:    

• Five-time American League All-Star.
• Five-time American League Silver Slugger award winner, given annually to the best offensive player at each position.
• Caught Boomer Wells complete game in 1998. 
• A proven winner and integral part of the late 90’s Yankee dynasty.  Was the primary catcher and played a significant role in 4 Yankee World Championship teams (’98,’99,’00,’09).  Played in 6 World Series all together and 125 postseason games as his team made the playoffs in 15 of 17 seasons in the majors.  Had numerous clutch postseason hits and plays. 
• In 2007, Jorge became the only Major League catcher to ever have hit .330 or better with forty doubles, twenty home runs, and ninety RBIs in a single season.  From 2000 to his retirement, he also had more hits, home runs, and RBI than any other catcher in baseball.
• Extremely durable at the most physically demanding position in baseball, as he played in over 135 games every season from 2000-2007.
• Despite playing a majority of his career in the “steroid era”, Posada’s accomplishments have never been in doubt, nor was he ever suspected of having used PEDs.  With a good portion of his contemporaries likely to be left on the outside looking when their careers are over, the Hall will have to induct a certain number of players from that era.   Posada’s clean record will no doubt be a notch in his column. 
• His career number compare favorably to some Hall of Fame inductees at his position, as he has a higher batting average, OBP %, slugging %, more home runs, and more RBI’s than a number of catchers already enshrined in Cooperstown. 
• Among all catchers since 1901, Posada ranks third in walks (936), seventh in doubles (379), sixth in OPS (.848), eight in OBP (.374) and home runs (275), ninth in slugging (.474) and 11th in RBI (1065).  Thanks Tom Verucci.
• Married to Laura Posada.

Cons: 

• Considered to be a below average catcher from a defense standpoint for most of his career, ranking low in most advanced defensive metric categories.
• Known for being hard headed/stubborn, and had difficulty meshing with a number of Yankee pitchers over the years (i.e. David Cone, Randy Johnson, A.J. Burnett).
• Part of great Yankee teams, but was never considered the best individual player on any of those teams. 
• At times prone to miscues on the base paths and behind the plate. 
• Career postseason batting average only .248. 
• Struggled in his final year, taking himself out of the lineup in a game against Boston which ended up ingniting in a small controversy.