In the coming weeks, Jorge Posada is suppose to announce his retirement from baseball. This comes on the heels of the Yankees having no desire to bring him back after his contract expired at the end of the season. My heart is broken.
Actually my heart broke initially before the beginning of last season when Andy Pettitte retired. He was the first of the "Core Four" (Jeter, Mariano, Pettitte and Jorge) to leave. I guess the difference was that Andy made that decision completely on his own. On his terms. Jorge was not afforded that same luxury.
Maybe that's why this one hurts a little more. Can't we all relate to being pushed out? Pushed out by a lover, friend or employer. Our desire for something we love to continue but have no choice but to give it up? I know what everyone says.."He has plenty of money..He doesn't need to work". But it's not always about money. Jorge honestly and truly does what he loves, what he has been working towards since he was a small child in Puerto Rico. How many of us can say that about our jobs?
I expect that when Jorge, in a week or two, says those words in front of reporters, friends, his wife and kids and Yankee brass it will be the toughest moment of his professional life. The tears he shed will be shed on this end as well.
My wish for Jeter and Mariano is..go out like Andy not Jorge. Not so that you save yourselves heartbreak..so that you save ME from it.
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