Forever Yankees- there are many of them out there, but not as many in recent years. Similar to trends in business, less and less employees start and end at the same company these days. “The average worker today stays at each of his or her jobs for 4.4 years, according to the most recent available data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, but the expected tenure of the workforce’s youngest employees is about half that,” according to an article published in Forbes (HERE) at the end of last year. The article continues to say that Millennials (those born between 1977-1997) will stay in a job even less. So, newbies like Bryce Harper, and frankly most of the Washington Nationals will move on at the end of their contract, barring any big salary moves, which after the PEDs problem, salary caps and Billy Beane’s Economics 101, does not seem likely.
Enter Jorge Posada: a Yankee tradition, a pinstripe favorite, and nice guy with an amazing career. “Posada, a five-time All-Star, has a career average of .273, a career OPS of .848 and 275 home runs. He also played in 125 postseason games and was a key contributor to four championship teams,” according to the 2011 article in New York Daily News “Former Yankees manager Joe Torre says Jorge Posada is Hall of Fame worthy.” His 17-year tenure was an incredible experience, which he can pass along to young players as the next manager of the New York Yankees, our future club.
At my son’s exit interview at the end of his JV season, his coach stated that he “needs to understand the game from a managing standpoint; the catcher is the field manager.” Posada learned that skill early on in his career and he developed into one of the best field managers and leaders in today’s game. And not to mention, he was a mentee to Yogi Berra. “Maybe the most important thing he helped me with was with his view of the game, knowing how hard it is but that you really needed to keep a positive attitude every day — that was big for me,” said Posada of Berra in 2011. This year, Posada stepped in for the 87-year-old Berra who is not as spry as he used to be. And he entered with bang- ready to fill the shoes of one of the greatest of the game who for so many years shared his wisdom with up and coming players, like Posada. As guest instructor, Posada continued his coaching legacy for his leadership ability and his knowledge of the game is an amazing advantage for our future stars.
So, his 17-year career at one organization, one company has grown to 19-years as Jorge Posada takes on a familiar role prepping him for his chance at the helm; a natural place for a catcher just like Joe Torre, Jim Leyland, Joe Maddon, Mike Scioscia, Bruce Bochy, Clint Hurdle and of course Joe Girardi. “"It stands to reason," says Tim McCarver, the catcher's catcher. "A general manager would have to be blind not to notice the success catchers have had." And Brian Cashman is once again using his head when he graciously opened Legends Field to Jorge Posada. He will be a quick study, because he has the disposition to lead and the experience in the game; both come to someone who has his eyes on the entire field his whole career. Our Forever Yankee, Jorge Posada, from All-Star catcher to guest instructor to hall of famer to Yankee manager- I like that road, I like that road very much! And we as fans like and respect Jorge Posada. We always have. So, what do you say, YES Network, the Jorge Posada Show in your future? I think so!
--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Opinion Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof
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