THE last time a New York Yankee took himself out of the lineup (at least to my knowledge), Lou Gehrig did it voluntarily when he was feeling the initial effects of the disease that eventually killed him and bore his name. So the other day, I followed with great curiosity the incident where long-time Yankee catcher Jorge Posada asked to be taken out of the lineup after he was demoted to ninth spot in the batting order. Jorge felt disrespected.
On the other hand, Joe Girardi, the catcher he replaced in the late 1990s in New York and now the team manager, thought that Posada’s plummeting batting average wasn’t helping. Hence the demotion.
Of course that created a firestorm of controversy as it became a debate between sentiment and rational thinking.
When former Yankee centerfielder Bernie Williams’s contract was not renewed in the early 2000s, I felt bad because he had patrolled that outfield so magnificently like Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle before him. The Yankee brass felt his skills were on the decline and Williams was eventually gone.
Even after New York won another title two years ago, I wondered how the Core Four of Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Mo Rivera and Posada would be able to keep it up. Obviously, they were on the downside of their careers. It was like when they first entered the league and Don Mattingly was on his last legs as a player. Now the shoe is on the other foot. They’re the grizzled veterans with the new generation of Robinson Cano, Brett Gardner, and Joba Chamberlain the new batch of stars.
Again, I wondered if former cross-town rival Mike Piazza of the Mets felt this way when he split time catching and playing first base before he filed for free agency and a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres.
I don’t believe that Girardi was disrespecting Posada and surely it was a difficult decision. But the writing was on the wall in the past couple of years when Francisco Cervelli then Russell Martin was signed to play in pinstripes. The addition and impact of both catchers (with Martin being the everyday backstop) were obvious that the brass figured Hip Hip Jorge’s time was close to done. Remember how Hideki Matsui responded to going from right field to designated hitter? That was tough, especially after being named Most Valuable Player of the World Series two seasons ago.
It’s tough when you’ve been an everyday player who contributed big to the ball club’s success only to be relegated to the bench or a utility player. It’s a question every aging athlete has to ask one’s self at one point in their athletic lives. But I thought that Jorge should have taken one for the team. “A bad day” is what he termed it and I don’t think he should be punished for it. I certainly don’t think he should quit at this stage and he must finish the season before making that decision.
I’m sure that it’s also the same with Jeter who, more than ever, has to answer questions about his batting and fielding. At times, I thought the way the Yankee management handled matters and negotiations should have been conducted with a little more prudence and sensitivity but that’s management. I have to deal with similar issues at the office, as well. Lots of should haves and should bes. It’s just about coping, adjusting, understanding and making the most out of things. It’s easier said than done but there it is.
Does this taint his pinstriped legacy? Not one bit. He has been the consummate Yankee and is a winner, champion and many-time All-Star. Joe DiMaggio is revered in baseball circles but not many people may remember that he once held out for a larger contract. And for all of the late Billy Martin’s constantly getting fired and rehired in New York, he’ll always be one of the greatest to ever play for the Yankees.
Jorge will hit again. He’ll hit a few more home runs. Add to his RBIs. And maybe even play some first base.
But I figure this season may be his last.
