Jorge Posada Can Pull a ‘Ted Williams’ If He’s Not on the Yankees Playoff Roster
September 22, 2011 · Harold Friend · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Joe Girardi knows whether or not Jorge Posada will be on the New York Yankees playoff roster. He owes it to Posada to let him know.
If Posada will be allowed to continue playing this season, he has no decision to make, but if he will end his season after the Yankees final regular season game, he has a rare opportunity. He should announce that he has played his final game.
Last night, with the bases loaded, two outs and the score 2-2 in the eighth inning against Tampa Bay, Posada pinch-hit for Jesus Montero. Facing right-hander Brandon Gomes, Posada took a called strike. He hit Gomes’ next delivery into right field for a two-run single that was the margin of victory.
The Yankees won the Eastern Division Championship.
Posada produced the hit that won the 2011 division title in what could be the last at-bat of his career.
On Sept. 28, 1960, Ted Williams was honored before the Boston Red Sox‘ game against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Williams had previously announced that he was retiring at the end of the season.
Williams walked on four pitches in the first inning, flied to center in the third and brought the crowd of 10,454 to its collective feet with a deep drive to right that died at the 380-foot marker in the fifth.
In the eighth inning, the fans realized that Williams was hitting for the last time. They applauded, then applauded and then applauded even harder.
Orioles pitcher Jack Fisher leaned in to get the signal from catcher Gus Triandos. The big right-hander nodded assent, went into the windup and delivered. Williams took ball one.
Fisher repeated the procedures, delivered and Williams swung with all his might but missed. With the count one ball and one strike, history was made.
Williams hit Fisher’s third pitch over the center field fence. It was the 521st home run of his career.
The Red Sox were scheduled to end the season at Yankee Stadium, but a team spokesman announced that Williams would not play. He ended his career hitting a home run his last at-bat.
Jorge Posada showed last night that he still has something left to contribute to the Yankees. Whether Joe Girardi agrees remains to be seen, but if he isn’t on the playoffs roster, he will, in one sense, have the opportunity to top Williams.
Posada’s hit was much more important to the Yankees than Williams’ hit was to the Red Sox. Jorge’s hit led directly to the clinching of a title, albeit not the one the Yankees want the most, but it can lead to the World Championship.
The Red Sox finished in seventh place in 1960, 32 games behind the pennant-winning Yankees. Granted, Williams wins hands down with respect to a personal accomplishment. At the time, his 521 home runs were exceeded by only Babe Ruth and Jimmy Foxx.
If Posada had failed instead of singling and the Yankees had lost, there is little doubt that they would have clinched the division the next day or the day after. But that’s not what happened.
Posada came through and no matter what happens in the next few days, he has the chance to go out on top.
References:
Star will pass up remaining games. (1960, Sep 29). New York Times (1923-Current File), pp. 42-42. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/115156970?accountid=46260
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