WHY POSADA'S D-DAY IS NEXT TUESDAY

Mark Hale of the New York Post, read HERE, has tweeted that Jorge Posada will make his official announcement on Tuesday next week. He will retire from baseball after 17 years. It will be a sad day in Yankeeland, for me at least.

Jorge Posada may not have been the best defensive catcher in the world, but one thing he was was fearless and full of heart. He played with a passion that I can only remember seeing in 1 other Yankee catcher in my lifetime... Thurman Munson. Posada was one of my favorite ballplayers. I remember several occasions where his bat did the talking, clutch moments and big hits. He will be missed in 2012, but hopefully, over time our sadness will again turn into joy when we see him and the other members of the Core Four, alittle older and welcomed back in a big way to Yankee stadium.

Now, selfishly, I imagine a major event at Yankee Stadium one day, after Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera hang it up for good as well. It will be the ticket that fans would kill for; A very special day for all us fans...when the New York Yankees retire the Core Four's numbers all at once. That's right, all 4 guys, all 4 champions, #2, #20, #42 and #46 all standing together in monument park for a moment no one will ever forget. Posada's official retirement is the 2nd of the Cour Four and speculation is Mariano Rivera is next at the end of 2012. Then, once Derek Jeter finishes his contract, he too, would do the right thing and retire a New York Yankee. Then, in the year 2020 or something like that, when I'm still running Bleeding Yankee Blue and it's the most successful Yankee website ever (I kid), the Core Four will have their big day in the spotlight, one last time. The standing ovation will be long and deafening and all of us will celebrate our most favorite group of athletes for that special day as we watch our Cour Four's retired numbers revealed, next to our 32 World Championships Banner.

Look, Jorge Posada is about to officially retire and yes, Tuesday will be sad, but it's only the beginning. We'll see all our guys again and it will be an incredible day...trust me. We knew this day could come and now it's here. We need to let it happen and, if you get a chance... mark 2020 down on the calendar... I already am.

Please comment, we have DISQUS, it's easier than ever. Let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and look for the hashtag #BYB. Also, join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.