Is Jorge Posada The "X" Factor Of A Successful 2000 Season?

CalifYanksFan · 03-14-00, 02:13 PM

Catcher rising star
By Mark Feinsand
FOXSports.com

Jorge Posada must come up big behind the plate in 2000

How can you choose one player who will make the difference on a team that has won three of the last four World Series titles, including back-to-back sweeps?
The answer is, you can't.

The New York Yankees won the 1998 title with a subpar year from Chuck Knoblauch and the 1999 crown with average years from Andy Pettitte, David Cone and Roger Clemens.

No one player will make or break the Bombers as they attempt a three-peat, but if you want to focus on one player who will have a significant impact on this year's Yankees, look no further than Jorge Posada.

Posada, entering his fourth full season in the majors, is finally the guy behind the plate in the Bronx. Clubhouse leader and defensive specialist Joe Girardi packed up and moved to his hometown to play for the Cubs, leaving the 25-year-old Puerto Rico native as the Yankees' full-time backstop.

The extra at-bats Posada will get should benefit the Yankees, as he is much more of an offensive threat than the light-hitting Girardi. The Yankees expected great things from Posada after he hit 17 home runs with 63 RBIs in 358 at-bats in 1998. But he took a step back in 1999, hitting just 12 homers with 57 RBIs in 379 at-bats, dropping 23 points in average to .243 in the process.

But Posada's biggest challenge this season will not be at the plate — but rather behind it.

This season, Cone and Pettitte will be in the unfamiliar position of pitching to someone other than Girardi, who served as the duo's personal catcher since 1996. In addition to handling the two veterans, Posada will have the job of calling pitches for rookie lefty Ed Yarnall, who replaces Hideki Irabu in the rotation.

If Posada can make the transition smooth for all of Joe Torre's starters, the Yankees could be hoisting yet another banner at the House That Ruth Built.

FOX Views

Curt Menefee

Posada will thrive in 2000, as he will enjoy not having to look over his shoulder when he has an 0-4 game. With Joe Girardi wearing a Cubs uniform, replaced by veteran Tom Pagnozzi, the pressure is off offensively for Posada, who is the Yankees' everyday catcher. Without that pressure, he should improve defensively, as he won't carry his worries behind the plate. His relationships with the picthers will come with time, working with them on a regular basis.

Steve Lyons

After spending the last two seasons platooning with Joe Girardi, Posada has finally been handed the job on a full time basis. Now he needs to prove he deserves it. He has the tools to be a solid major league catcher, and on the Yankees it is not his offense that will be counted on. He needs to be able to handle the pitching staff and stop opposing runners. If he can do that, the Yankee machine will continue to roll.

Kenny Albert

For the first time in his career, Posada is the clear cut No. 1 catcher in New York. Joe Girardi did so much for Posada's career over the first few years — both on and off the field — that it will be interesting to watch Posada’s development as he plays more games this year than ever before. But Yankees pitchers feel he is capable, and he shouldn't have much problem with the additional work.

Jorge Posada by Suzanne Plunkett/AP Photo

Comment: Jorge wanted the chance. Jorge has got the chance. It's a lot on his shoulders and he needs to deliver. If not, his stay in NY is going to be short. Good luck Jorge.

------------------
Russ
BTHLs PAL in CAL
Official Ambassador from the Left Coast
26 in 2G

VisitMyYankeesWebsite

Bluesexy's daddy · 03-14-00, 02:52 PM

My "prediction" :

Posada will improve behind the plate. He will work better with the staff and this will in turn improve their performance overall.

His hitting will improve because he will be in the batters box nearly every game. I predict a .275 avg. and 25 HR.

------------------
Q: What do you call a mets fan with a 70 IQ after he drinks a bottle of cheap whiskey??

A: A redsox fan.

CalifYanksFan · 03-14-00, 03:03 PM

BSD - Actually it's

A: Redsox Fan
B: Braves Fan
C: Who Cares
D: All The Above

------------------
Russ
BTHLs PAL in CAL
Official Ambassador from the Left Coast
26 in 2G

VisitMyYankeesWebsite

Yankee Mike · 03-14-00, 04:21 PM

I've always had confidence in Jorge. He will occasionally show off a lot of power at the plate. Did everyone else see the one he launched to CF/RF on Saturday? The guy can hit when he's on target. I've heard he worked on both offense and defense during the offseason, and should be sharper in both areas. He might come into this season and be a little rough every now and then... but give him a few months. He should be doing just fine.

------------------
Yankee Mike

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03-14-00, 02:13 PM	#1
CalifYanksFan One of the Originals Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: In Yankee Heaven	Catcher rising star By Mark Feinsand FOXSports.com Jorge Posada must come up big behind the plate in 2000 How can you choose one player who will make the difference on a team that has won three of the last four World Series titles, including back-to-back sweeps? The answer is, you can't. The New York Yankees won the 1998 title with a subpar year from Chuck Knoblauch and the 1999 crown with average years from Andy Pettitte, David Cone and Roger Clemens. No one player will make or break the Bombers as they attempt a three-peat, but if you want to focus on one player who will have a significant impact on this year's Yankees, look no further than Jorge Posada. Posada, entering his fourth full season in the majors, is finally the guy behind the plate in the Bronx. Clubhouse leader and defensive specialist Joe Girardi packed up and moved to his hometown to play for the Cubs, leaving the 25-year-old Puerto Rico native as the Yankees' full-time backstop. The extra at-bats Posada will get should benefit the Yankees, as he is much more of an offensive threat than the light-hitting Girardi. The Yankees expected great things from Posada after he hit 17 home runs with 63 RBIs in 358 at-bats in 1998. But he took a step back in 1999, hitting just 12 homers with 57 RBIs in 379 at-bats, dropping 23 points in average to .243 in the process. But Posada's biggest challenge this season will not be at the plate — but rather behind it. This season, Cone and Pettitte will be in the unfamiliar position of pitching to someone other than Girardi, who served as the duo's personal catcher since 1996. In addition to handling the two veterans, Posada will have the job of calling pitches for rookie lefty Ed Yarnall, who replaces Hideki Irabu in the rotation. If Posada can make the transition smooth for all of Joe Torre's starters, the Yankees could be hoisting yet another banner at the House That Ruth Built. FOX Views Curt Menefee Posada will thrive in 2000, as he will enjoy not having to look over his shoulder when he has an 0-4 game. With Joe Girardi wearing a Cubs uniform, replaced by veteran Tom Pagnozzi, the pressure is off offensively for Posada, who is the Yankees' everyday catcher. Without that pressure, he should improve defensively, as he won't carry his worries behind the plate. His relationships with the picthers will come with time, working with them on a regular basis. Steve Lyons After spending the last two seasons platooning with Joe Girardi, Posada has finally been handed the job on a full time basis. Now he needs to prove he deserves it. He has the tools to be a solid major league catcher, and on the Yankees it is not his offense that will be counted on. He needs to be able to handle the pitching staff and stop opposing runners. If he can do that, the Yankee machine will continue to roll. Kenny Albert For the first time in his career, Posada is the clear cut No. 1 catcher in New York. Joe Girardi did so much for Posada's career over the first few years — both on and off the field — that it will be interesting to watch Posada’s development as he plays more games this year than ever before. But Yankees pitchers feel he is capable, and he shouldn't have much problem with the additional work. Jorge Posada by Suzanne Plunkett/AP Photo Comment: Jorge wanted the chance. Jorge has got the chance. It's a lot on his shoulders and he needs to deliver. If not, his stay in NY is going to be short. Good luck Jorge. ------------------ Russ BTHLs PAL in CAL Official Ambassador from the Left Coast 26 in 2G VisitMyYankeesWebsite

03-14-00, 02:52 PM	#2
Bluesexy's daddy NYYF Triple Crown Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Albuquerque,NM,USA	My "prediction" : Posada will improve behind the plate. He will work better with the staff and this will in turn improve their performance overall. His hitting will improve because he will be in the batters box nearly every game. I predict a .275 avg. and 25 HR. ------------------ Q: What do you call a mets fan with a 70 IQ after he drinks a bottle of cheap whiskey?? A: A redsox fan.

03-14-00, 03:03 PM	#3
CalifYanksFan One of the Originals Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: In Yankee Heaven	BSD - Actually it's A: Redsox Fan B: Braves Fan C: Who Cares D: All The Above ------------------ Russ BTHLs PAL in CAL Official Ambassador from the Left Coast 26 in 2G VisitMyYankeesWebsite

03-14-00, 04:21 PM	#4
Yankee Mike NYYF Triple Crown Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bedminster, NJ	I've always had confidence in Jorge. He will occasionally show off a lot of power at the plate. Did everyone else see the one he launched to CF/RF on Saturday? The guy can hit when he's on target. I've heard he worked on both offense and defense during the offseason, and should be sharper in both areas. He might come into this season and be a little rough every now and then... but give him a few months. He should be doing just fine. ------------------ Yankee Mike


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