New York Yankees Catcher Jorge Posada Reportedly Asks out of Lineup
After being dropped to ninth in the batting order on Saturday against the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees veteran catcher Jorge Posada reportedly asked out of the lineup.
Posada has since come out and said he simply had back stiffness and needed to clear his head, but general manager Brian Cashman denied this and manager Joe Girardi said Posada never told him this during the meeting before the game.
By the time the game was over, the Yankees had lost their fourth straight game, and second straight to their bitter rivals.
So, if Posada did indeed refuse to play on Saturday, the question is, was he in the right, even if he was batting .165 for the season?
Ironically, Red Sox DH David Ortiz actually came to Posada's defense after the game.
Via the Boston Herald:
?You want me to tell you what I think? They?re doing that guy wrong,? Ortiz said. ?They?re doing him wrong. Because that guy, he?s legendary right there in the organization.?
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Ortiz has a point. Posada has spent his entire career with the Yankees, all 17 years of it, and helped them to five championships. He's been their rock throughout their recent reign.
But, the fact is, this is now, folks. This isn't 10 years ago, this isn't five years ago, this is now. Posada is batting .165 in 109 at-bats. What's more, the Yankees need help, losers of four straight. If a manager feels he needs to shake things up, a true veteran that knows he's on his last legs at 39 years old will do what it takes to help his team, even if it means swallowing some pride.
And this is nothing new. Posada hit .248 last season. He's a shadow of his former self, and Girardi knows this. The Yankees organization knows this.
Regardless of what you think of the Yankees' organization, this is the right move. They're not trying to slight anybody. They're making a tough, but needed tweak.
You know how Posada can get a better spot in the batting order?
Start hitting.
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