Yesterday, a few months removed from announcing his retirement at Yankee Stadium, Jorge Posada threw out the first pitch of the Yankees home opener. In a beautiful and touching monent, Jorge had his Dad, Jorge Posada, Sr catch it. He has always credited his father for all the success he had as a ballplayer. Imagine giving your father the opportunity to stand behind homeplate of Yankee Stadium and catch a ball you throw from the pitchers mound? I would bet it was one of the best moments they have ever shared. So as Jorge jogged out with his son Jorge Luis to the mound with a standing ovation from the 50,000 plus in attendance and his former teammates standing behind him, Jorge Sr. got into a catcher's squat (which impressed me given he must be close to 70 years old) and caught the ball thrown by his son.
Jorge Posada has done more things as a Yankee player to make me a fan for life than I could name, but that moment of three generations of Posada men is now at the top.
Jorge always understood the history of the Yankees. He knew he was standing on the shoulders of those who came before, like Thuman Munson. But what yesterday showed us, if you didn't know already, Jorge also understands the importance of family, especially those whose shoulders he stands on, like his father.
The New York Yankees have almost closed the book on the era of the Jorge Posada years. There is only one chapter left. That is to retire #20 and give him his rightful place in Monument Park at Yankee Stadium.
⚾ #20 ROCKS - FOREVER!! ⚾
(Jorge and his Dad in the Yankee dugout, April 13, 2012, courtesy of Laura Posada via Twitter)
