Jorge Posada - It's Been an Honor

As long as I have been watching baseball – granted, it’s only been something like 13 or 14 years – Jorge Posada has been driving in key runs and catching well enough to help propel his team to 5 World Championships.  Year after year, I can recall John Sterling raving about just how important “Georgie” was to the Yankees, and how much of an impact he really had on the team over the span of his 17-year career.  If there is one thing that I will remember Posada for, it would be how he approached the game.

Even though it was painful to watch him run out a double, nobody was faster to run onto the field to give a teammate a high-five after a home run.  Every time they showed Jorge in the dugout, he was smiling whether it was cracking a joke to Jeter, or celebrating a good outing by a starting pitcher.  He was – and still is – a crowd favorite in New York.  Even though he has been often overshadowed in the media by guys like Jeter, Pettitte, and Rivera, Posada had a special place in the hearts of New Yorkers and the Yankees’ organization.

Diana Munson, the widow of Yankee great Thurman Munson, actually said that Jorge was the reason she began to follow baseball again.  After her husband passed away in a plane crash, she couldn’t even bring herself to look at the box scores – that was, until Posada came around. ''I think he and Thurman definitely would have been best buds,'' she said.

Taking away parts about being a fan favorite and a beloved teammate, Jorge Posada could play.  Over a 17 year span, Jorge had 275 home runs, 1,065 RBI, and a .273 batting average.  Without a doubt, Posada was among the greatest catchers of all time when it came to hitting.  The one stat that really jumps off the paper, and really helps the Hall of Fame argument, is his .374 On Base Percentage.  This stat tops 7 out of the 10 catchers that are currently in the Hall, among those are names like Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra.  His contributions to the Yankees Dynasty 

In the late 90’s cannot be overlooked.  The man was a fierce competitor, and that was part of the reason behind the decision to retire.  “I knew in my heart, and I knew in my head that I didn’t want to play anymore” Posada said.  He wore his heart on his sleeve, and that was why he was great.

“Playing for the New York Yankees has been an honor,” Jorge said during the press conference where he announced his retirement. “I could never wear another uniform.  I will forever be a Yankee”

Jorge, we wouldn’t want it any other way.

NFC Championship Game Prediction

NFC Championship Game: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers   6:30 PM ET

So here we are at the NFC Championship Game, and instead of a Drew Brees/Aaron Rodgers shootout, we have another (unlikely) chapter to add to a storied rivalry between San Fran and New York.

These teams have met in the postseason on quite a few occasions – with many of the contests being defined by a single play or going down to the last second – and this is a game that will surely be one that both teams will remember for a long time.  In their latest meeting, San Francisco mounted a historic comeback and took down the Giants as New York botched a field goal snap as time was winding down in a 2002 Wild Card Game.  This series has had its fair share of classic moments in the past: The signature over the 49ers in 1985 when the Giants held Joe Montana and Roger Craig’s group to 3 points, as well as the ’91 New York team putting the kibosh on the Montana dynasty among many others.  Bottom line, these teams have some of the NFL’s most classic playoff matchups.

What I find interesting is how both teams are painted as heroes of the NFL, with both teams being led by stand-up coaches: In San Francisco’s case, Jim Harbaugh took over a team that was 6-10 the year before and leading them to The NFC Title Game in the following year.  Tom Coughlin is the guy that – once again – went from being on the hot seat to being the man that all of New York wants to stand behind.  These two coaches – more so than any others – have found ways to instill the belief in their team that it is in their destiny to win it all.  As wonderful as each of their stories are, there is only room for one in the Super bowl.

Alex Smith and the 49er’s offense played great last week against the Saints, opening up the pass early and letting Smith pick apart the weak New Orleans secondary.  Although Smith has put together the best year of his career, the red-hot Giants pass rush will give him problems.  If the defensive line keeps up the level of play that has defined their team’s recent victories, San Francisco could be forced to play catch-up early on.

When these teams met in the regular season in week 10, New York faltered on a 4^th down attempt to tie the game as time was winding down and San Francisco pulled out the home victory.  Frisco did what few teams have been able to do this year, pressure Manning into making costly mistakes.  This is the area where the game’s outcome will be decided in my opinion.  The Giants should be able to limit the damage from Vernon Davis and the likes of the San Francisco offense, and it will be up to Eli to avoid turnovers and put points on the board.

As cliché as it sounds – Eli Manning’s responsibility will be to win his team this game.  He needs to put this team on his back – as he has all season – and find a way to beat a defensive unit that had stumped Big Blue earlier in the season.  This is a game that will help define both Manning’s and Smith’s careers, and one of the two will have to step up and be a playoff hero.  Manning will triumph where Smith fails.

Prediction – NYG: 27 SF: 14

Meet Alex Smith

As a former number one overall pick, Alex Smith is familiar with the word "pressure." I'm sure he is also familiar with the word "bust", as he has undoubtedly gotten an earful from every fan in the bay area along with all the analysts that have piled on criticism over his unlikely 7-year career.

    

Before this season, the only talk you heard of Smith was: "Why is he still getting chances? Year after year, he disappoints, yet the team brings him back?"

    

There were no supporters for this guy outside of the organization (if there were, they were awfully quiet for a long time), and few would believe you if you said he would be the starter after 7 years in the doghouse.  And not one person would take you seriously if you said he would salvage a lost career and lead his team through the playoffs and within striking distance of the Super Bowl.

    

Yet here he is.

    

It is improbable that Smith managed to find a job from year to year, but I think the biggest factor in his survival is such: Smith had 7 different Offensive Coordinators over a 7-season career.  You can't blame him for having to learn a new offense every summer, yet there have been a few quarterbacks who have been the scapegoat in similar situations such as Jason Campbell and David Carr. Smith also got lucky that his new coach is a believer in what he can do; John Harbaugh was actually the guy that made the decision to re-sign Alex even though he was a Free Agent.

    

The events that brought him to this point are fortunate, as well as unlikely.  These are some of the reasons why I'm starting to root for the guy.....starting next year.

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