After opting out of the 2020 MLB season due to COVID-19-related issues, Buster Posey just had one of his best seasons of his career as he led the San Francisco Giants to the best record in baseball (107-55) and won the 2021 NL Comeback Player of the Year. Unfortunately, on Thursday, November 4th, the greatest catcher in San Francisco Giants history, 3x World Series Champion, and 7x All-Star bid farewell.
Looking back on his 2021 season, Posey decided to go out with a bang. The future Hall of Famer hit .304 with 56 RBI’s and 18 HR’s as he became just the sixth player all-time to hit over .300 in his final season. Unlike many aging catchers, Posey left at the top of his game despite possibly having a couple years left under his belt.
Posey was drafted 5th overall back in 2008 by the San Francisco Giants and made his MLB debut in September of 2009. In May of 2010, Posey took over the starting job behind the plate and led a dynasty in the making to a 2010 World Series title as he won Rookie of the Year and batted .305 with 67 RBI’s and 18 HR’s (pretty similar to his 2021 season).
Following the San Francisco Giants’ “even year” conspiracy, Posey dominated baseball in 2012 when he batted .336 with 103 RBI’s and 24 HR’s on his way to winning the NL MVP award. Moreover, while Posey was busy leading the league in both OPS and AVG, he was also leading the Giants to a second World Series title in 3 years.
"I want to do more stuff from February to November with family," Posey said. "Physically, it's much harder now. It's hard to enjoy it as much when there is physical pain that you're dealing with. It was getting to the point that things that I was enjoying were not as joyful anymore."
It is fair to say that Posey’s collision with Scott Cousins at home plate may be one of the main reasons for his retirement. At AT&T Park back in 2011, Florida Marlins' outfielder Scott Cousins ran over the reigning NL Rookie of the Year in the 12th inning to score the winning run as the Marlins held on to a 7-6 victory. Posey missed the majority of the 2011 season due to the injury and despite winning the NL MVP the following season, Posey has delt with the injury his entire career.
Fans across the globe may be sad, but what this man has done for the San Francisco Giants’ organization is unimaginable. He and Pete Rose are the only players in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year, an MVP, and three World Series rings. Posey won three titles in the span of six years and almost won a fourth in his final year. Inconceivable. Improbable. Ineffable.
Farewell Buster.
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