Most of the remaining Cardinals gathered on the top step of the first-base dugout. Yadi, one of the few players who can credibly claim to be a peer of Posey’s, acknowledged him as he walked to the Cardinals bullpen during the ceremony and watched on from the outfield grass. “What can I say about Buster? He got me a ring!” Bengie said to a round of applause and laughter. Bengie delivered the most memorable speech of the day, getting Posey to sign his jersey and provide a Buster Hug. “Like a good friend, someone that you could have really serious conversations about life with (or ) dive deep into baseball.”Īmong those on hand were the Molina brothers, Yadier in town with the Cardinals and older brother Bengie as Posey’s former teammate and the catcher he supplanted behind the plate. “Just great values to his core,” said outfielder Austin Slater, who is now the longest-tenured Giant besides Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt. … I feel really fortunate to have gotten to spend last year with him.” “To see him day in and day out do what he did last year, just as a baseball fan, was friggin’ awesome. “He’s as good of a person as you could ever be around in a clubhouse and in life,” said Giants pitcher Alex Wood, the former Dodger who faced Posey 27 times as an opponent, then joined forces for his final season. Both children threw ceremonial first pitches, followed by former closer Brian Wilson ending the festivities with one, final Buster Hug. The final two pitches Posey will catch in Oracle Park came from his two eldest children, Lee and Addison, whom he now coaches on youth softball and baseball teams. I’ve loved the game my whole life, so just really grateful to have been honored in this way with teammates and coaches and fans and family and friends. “Just grateful and humbled to have a day like this. “It was very important for me to be able to say thank you to the fanbase,” Posey said. Sandwiching a speech between two standing ovations, with a dozen family members to his right and a who’s who of former teammates to his left, Posey recounted his experience from the Giants’ three World Series runs, thanking the fans for their support. “I did pretty good,” Posey said afterward. For all those reasons - the three World Series championships, the clutch hits, the no-hitter celebrations but also the human behind them - Saturday was an emotional day for all involved. Returning to the shores of McCovey Cove, Posey gave fans the chance at a farewell that hadn’t, until now, been available after the announcement following last season that sent shockwaves through the Bay Area. He will live on forever in the memories of those who crossed paths with him. He stepped away in 2020 to raise newborn twins during a pandemic, then made it a full-time decision after last season. He wore a stoic face, until it was time for a Buster hug. He will be one day be immortalized in bronze.īuster Posey, the man, endeared himself to millions of Giants fans. He paraded down Market Street three times. But you would also know from countless conversations with former teammates, coaches and competitors.Īfter all, few other players could have generated the lovefest that took place Saturday at Oracle Park.īuster Posey, the player, won a rookie of the year. You know because Saturday was the day the Giants celebrated that man, Buster Posey, in an hourlong pregame ceremony. Before reading further, you already know who he is talking about. “As great a player, he’s an even better man,” said former GM Brian Sabean, relaying Alou’s wisdom in a recent interview with the Bay Area News Group. SAN FRANCISCO - Felipe Alou, the former Giants manager, had a saying: When the man is better than the player, you’ve really got something.
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