On the Yankees beat

One of your team leaders should come from behind the plate. Jorge has emerged over the years into a well defined informal leader of our Yankees. Hopefully, Jorge's position on his contract will be noted by Mariano.

I believe the Yankees want both Mariano and Jorge to be a part of the team next year (2008) at least. If they hold up physically this year.

I respect Jorge's leadership and playing ability. He will be remembered for these qualities. And his desire to go after Pedro.

I started respecting Jorge a lot more when the Yanks got knocked out of the playoffs by the Angels (the first time-2002). He went nuts after the last game after he saw some guys acting like they didn't give a sh*t. He came out and said anyone who didn't get physically sick when they lost didn't belong on the team. I like the emotion he shows.

Jorge is one of the remaining "core" players of the latest dynasty era. He is also the C which is the quarterback on a team.

I am glad to see him take on this leadership role. Somebody needs to teach these ringless superstars what it takes to get one! Keep up the good work Jorge.

Until the Yanks get a bona-fide catcher, they should be kissing Posada's rear. Right now, Posada has the Yanks by the "short and curlies". We currently have no catcher in our system even close to Posada in terms of production, familiarity with the pitchers, gamesmanship, or leadership in general. If Posada were to leave via free agency next year, every team would realize the Yankee situation and "hold us up", if we tried to trade for a catcher. As things currently sit, the Yanks have painted themselves into a corner. They must currently keep Posada happy, and eventually re-sign him.

Sorry, I disagree. Just because he speaks more than before doesn't mean he's a leader. For some reason, in his eyes, he thinks since he's been there so long, he's earned the right speak up. Maybe that's true, but to call him a leader? Please.

Unless you consider the do as I say, not as I do approach. He's one of the worse base runners in the AL. Ever wonder why some pitchers refused to catch him?

Defensively - up until last year, he was terrible. He was such a mess the Yankees sent him for an eye exam because he was missing so many pitches. Eye exam came back negative. What does that tell you? Ever see him hussle out a ground out?

Now that Bowa stepped in, he has done a great job with George. George's feet behind that plate is a ton better. Up until last year, when was the last time you saw this guy block the plate on a throw? Never. Ok, rarely. He loved to catch the ball in front of the plate and try a sweep tag.

If it wasn't for his hitting, this guy wouldn't even be with the team.

Giradi, O'neil, Tino etc. were leaders. Lead, on the field by example. Not in the club house and doing all the yapping.

I'm critical on Bernie but one thing I can say about him, every ground ball he hustled like the World Series was at steak. Berniel lead by example.

Bowa didn't have much to do with Jorge's improved catching , it was Pena. He was the one who improved his defense.

I do agree that he was below average defensively before last year. Especially with blocking the plate.

Tony,
Posada is very slow but you don't usually rate catchers on their base running ability, to pick on him for that is foolish.
While I will agree with those who say he was never a top flight defender, his offense is worth the trade off. The guy worked very hard with the pitchers and on his game and Pena found a way to improve his footwork to get his defensive production up. As far as I know, the Yanks haven't lost any games due to his "bad" defense and I most certainly recall him blocking the plate many times so I do not agree that he is afraid to do so.
Last year he played with a torn tendon behind his knee which was very painful yet he didn't complain at all and never went on the DL. That's a leader.

Who do the Yanks currently have in their system that is better or even the equal of Posada? Nobody. Whatever you may think of Posada and waht he brings to the Yanks, he is still head and shoulders better than anyone we currently have at that position. If the guy were to "walk" after this season, the Yanks would be desperate to find a replacement.

As much as I enjoyed Bernie Williams over the yrs ,he was not the most heads up baserunner and had a tendency, which Torre used to get all over him for ,of pouting when he was slumping of having poor body language on the field....to state that 1 or 2 pitchers didn't want to throw to Posada might be true ...samething in Atlanta Maddux didn't like throwing to Lopez but Glavine and Smoltz did.Carlton had McCarver...but to say Posada was a bad defensive catcher until Pena worked w/ him on blocking balls is utter nonsense .Posada since he became a starter has always been a solid Defensive catcher who has improved incremently over the yrs...Posada will remain w/ NY for at least 2-3 yrs after this season

Posada's worst weakness as a defender is making plays at the plate. Most guys sit out front of the plate and then block as the runner comes in. posada always seems to be sitting up the 1B line and then has to lunge back to the plate.

Rick : I'm not trying to argue ,but in all fairness to Posada he's trying to pick relays and throws from the outfield ,let's face it Jeter is the only one who even marginally makes a good relay and some of the mediocre arms in the outfield over the last few yrs made throws off line to the catcher. Sheffield constantly airmailed throws.A catcher will only sit on the plate if the throw meets him there.

Jorge's reasons for not blocking the plate and using the sweep tag are well-documented. He blocked the plate in the minors, got slid into and had his leg broken. That doesn't seem like it would make you rush back in front of the plate, now does it? If the worst you can say about him is that he likes the sweep tag, I'll take it. He is still one of the top catchers in the game, even though he is a horrible base runner. The only pitcher who didn't want to throw to him was Randy and we all know he is a surly jackass. "All time great" Roger Clemens loved throwing to Jorge.

ruse: You have no clue what you are talking about;)! Pena made a HUGE differance in Posada's defense last year. Geez , I thought I was a homer but anyone who thought Posada was a good defensive catcher , prior to last year , is a total homer...lol! Don't get me wrong I am glad we have him and hope he sticks around but his defensive effort was lacking til last year......thanks to PENA a fantastic defensive catcher:)!

Hitman: I never said Posada was a great fielding catcher ,but I think he's been a solid defensive catcher,maybe not Pudge or Matheny but he's done very well ,maybe Pena helped Posada w/ blocking balls in the dirt,so now Pena gets all the credit ? Do you know what your talking about ? Your one of those fans who have a 2 minute attention span while missing the whole show!

i agree with you ruse. posada was a good catcher untill last year when pena helped him with his mechanics.to say he was a bad catcher untill last year is crazy!!!!

Posada ,9 errors in 2004 w/8 passed balls ,3 errors in 2005 w/8 passed balls ,9 errors in 2006 w/13 passed balls ..Jorges passed ball totals went up in 2006 ,I guess you have Pena to thank.

Mike Fl : thanks that's all I was trying to say,Pena did help him improve his mechanics but to what extent ? maybe a tweak here and there

Posada was never a poor defensive catcher. He had weaknesses at throwing out runners and wearing down at the end of the season.

Working with Tony Pena, especially, seemed to make him into an excellent catcher. He revised his footwork, primarily in the crouch and gunned down runners to the point of being one of the top catchers in baseball.

Offensively, Jorge has always been one of the best.

Team leader? Absolutely. Were there no Jeter no doubt he would be the captain. Hard-nose player, great work ethic, excellent with pitchers. To fault him for receiving rainbow throws from the outfiled aimed like a SCUD missle (meaning: could land anywhere) is ridiculous.

I hope Jorge is back next year.

Thanks for the correction, I meant Bowa.

To me, running the bases is the easiest part of baseball. You have two coaches to help you if you're not smart enough to run them on your own. This is Posada's worse problem. How can you have someone who isn't smart enough to run the bases be considered a leader? Posada is very slow, which should mean, running the base would be that much easier for him.

1 or 2 pitchers didn't want to pitch him? Which might be true, but we're not talking about 2 scrub pitchers either.

Now, let's get a little more technical on his catching. Who's better defensively, Posada or Pudge? Why? Watch Pudge for a full game. Watch him move his feet on balls in the dirt. Watch him drop to the ground and use his chest to block them. Watch Pudget get in front of every possible pitch. Then watch Posada for a game. Watch him lazily backhand balls. Watch him try and short hop a pitch in front of him go right between his legs.

I'm not debating his offensive skills. He is top 5 in the league. A switch hitting catcher who can hit? I'd sign him in a heart beat, so yes, I want him on my team. But to be considered a leader? Why, because he was on the Championship teams?

Ok, to be fair. I have to consider a terrible defensive catcher who was great with the stick. Piazza. Now, was Piazza a leader of the club house? If the answer is yes, well, I'm losing my argument because Piazza did not lead by example.

So, let me look at this way. Are there any Yankee players looking up to Posada? Any of them saying gee, I wish Posada was up in this spot? Any players running to Posada for advice? No, no and no.

My bottom line on Posada is simple. Below average on defense. Way above average with the bat. Talks too much during spring training. Is not, will never be a leader.

Ok, I went back and reread Jim B's blog. Here's a direct quote,

"Peña, after a year working closely with Posada, knows he can lean on Posada to teach the younger catchers in camp. Peña said Posada, upon request, has reported early to speak to the other catchers.

"He's already played, what, 10 or 11 years in the big leagues, but he still comes in early and helps me teach the younger players," Peña said. "I use him as an example all the time."

Let me point out two words. Upon request. Upon request? This "leader" had to be asked to show up early? Then Pena says he always comes in early. I guess Pena meant that he comes in early, when requested?

I guess I'll agree to disagree with this guy being considered a leader.

ruse: I have been watching and playing baseball for over 30 years. I have a very good attention span , thank you. That said you don't know what you are talking about. I never gave all the credit to Pena...though Posada had EVEN CREDITED HIM WITH HIS IMPROVED PLAZY LAST YEAR. You seem to be on here alot and most of what I have read is nonsense. You know little about the game and seem to just regurgitate facts you read. So quite simply watch whom you say smart @ss things to son...cause you may get them shoved down your idiot throat.

excuse me PLAY not PLAZY....your still an idiot though ruse;):)!

Hitman: I've been watching baseball far longer than you ,apparently I don't know the game as well as you do,if you look down the post you have at least 3 people who agree w/me on Posada...I never for a minute suggested Pena didn't help Posada...But when you claim he made a "HUGE" difference I don't see it ,he is only slightly better mechanically ,if you want to be right go ahead if it makes your day!I could give a crap !

ruse: First off I was taught to respect my elders and if you have been following baseball longer than I ...then you are my elder. So I apologise for some of my comments. Sometimes you think a wiseass punk is making the comments and other times , like this , you realise you were wrong.

Now , I have always felt Posada was lazy behind the plate.....but glad as hell we had/have him. Now this is my opinion and we all are allowed to have our own. I saw a very big difference in Posada last year and had seen several articles where Posada and Torre credited Pena with the differance. It may just be my opinion but I believe many would agree. I personaly would love to see Jorge keep up the good defensive work and retire a Yank...

Hitman : So would I!...believe me Posada ain't going nowhere.

He at least needs to stick around for that 16 year old phenom we have in the minors to mature;):)!

I agree with HitMan.

The difference in Posada's defense was a huge leap. Maybe he was awful because he was lazy or just plain slow. Maybe he was like Cano and lacked concentration during the game. Whatever the reason, he was bad.

Now he's better and hopefully improves on his defense.

One thing for sure, when he isn't up to par, I'll be posting about it :)

I always felt his stance wasn't conduseive(sp?)to blocking balls in the dirt or more importantly throwing out base stealers. He improved in both areas(especially throwwing out runners) imho by adjusting his stance with Pena's guidance. I hope the trend continues as he looked very good back there last year:)!

Lol...throwing not throwwing and condusive is spelled way wrong.......doh!