New York Yankees: Jorge Posada Shares Thoughts on Shifting Role, We Translate
January 31, 2011 · Dan Hanzus · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Is anybody else convinced that Jorge Posada is so not on board with this full-time DH thing?
Po’s been the Yankees‘ resident lovable curmudgeon for 15 years. He’s not exactly the personality type that embraces change. And nothing good can come from change when you’re a 39 year old catcher.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Clint Eastwood modeled his character in Gran Torino after the salty Yankees veteran. Walt Kowalski was a gruff, stubborn old man who wouldn’t hesitate to shoot you with a rifle if you messed with him or his car; the same probably applies to Posada and his catching position.
(That ringing you hear is Jesus Montero calling Brian Cashman to make sure he’s staying in the minors in 2011.)
Posada spoke about the shift to DH for the first time on Sunday night at a Bernie Williams event, where I presume the former center fielder busted out some soccer mom-approved guitar licks.
God love him, Po tried so hard to be the good soldier during his brief media chat, but what he said definitely didn’t sound like what he meant.
Luckily, River & Sunset has the gift for decoding such jock speak.
All initial quotes come via the Daily News.
What Georgie said:
“I can’t complain. I always like to catch, I’m used to catching, but if they want me to DH to help out the team, you have to do that. It is what it is. I look forward to everything I do. I try to help out the team, and if that’s going to help out the team and that’s what they want, I’m OK with it.”
What Georgie meant:
“I can’t complain. Literally, I can’t complain. I’m a 39 year old professional baseball player. Have you noticed what GMs think of guys my age now? We’re dinosaurs staring down a fiery meteor. I’m used to catching, because I’m a man, and men don’t DH. Jose Canseco is a DH. Jorge Posada is a man. I’m not OK with it.”
What Georgie said:
“I’ll catch. I’ll catch. I’ll catch this year. I’ll DH and then they’re going to want me to catch one of those days. I’m keeping an open mind. I would love to catch. I’m training like I always do, and if I have to catch, I’ll catch.”
What Georgie meant:
“I’ll catch. I’ll catch. I’ll catch this year. If I have to do Girardi’s laundry, cook his lunch, pay his orthodontist bill, I’ll do it. I’ll do anything, you hear me? I’m keeping an open mind, and by “open mind,” I mean a closed mind. I’m training like I always do, but that’s mostly because I have to stay cut up for Laura, my insanely hot wife. I’ll catch. I’ll catch. I’ll catch. I’ll catch. I’ll catch.”
What Georgie said:
“Derek’s a shortstop and Derek’s not going to move to another position. He hasn’t even started playing this year and you’re talking about four years from now. You can’t see the future.”
What Georgie meant:
“Have you seen Jeter’s new house? They’re calling it Jetropolis. Well, no they’re not, but I am. The place is insane. You can mark my words: If he invites me, I’ll never leave. I’ll show up with Laura and the kids and we’ll just bunker down like Cousin Eddie from the Vacation movies. The place is so big he won’t even know we’re there…but seriously, I don’t want to be the DH.”
Dan Hanzus writes three columns a week on his New York Yankees site, River & Sunset. He can be reached at dhanzus@gmail.com. Follow Dan on Twitter @danhanzus.
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