Buster Posey
Encyclopedia
Gerald Dempsey "Buster" Posey III (born March 27, 1987) is a catcher
for the San Francisco Giants
. He was drafted by the Giants fifth overall in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft
.
Posey worked his way through the Giants' farm system in his first two seasons of professional baseball, advancing to its AAA affiliate. He made his major league debut on September 11, 2009, and after playing a third of the 2010 season in the minors, was called up to the Giants on May 29, becoming the team's starting catcher on June 30. In July 2010 he earned both NL Player of the Month and NL Rookie of the Month honors. He was also named the 2010 National League Rookie of the Year.
in Leesburg, Georgia
. While there he was the Georgia Gatorade
Player of the Year, Louisville Slugger State Player of the Year, and an EA Sports
All-American.
for the Florida State Seminoles
under coach Mike Martin. He began his freshman year at FSU playing shortstop, starting all 65 games for the Seminoles, and was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. He finished his freshman season with a .346 batting average, four home runs and 48 RBIs. As a sophomore, he moved from shortstop to catcher on the suggestion of assistant coach Mike Martin, Jr. He batted .382 with three home runs and 65 RBIs. After just one season of playing the position, Posey was a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award
, awarded to the best catcher in college baseball. He would end up finishing behind Edward Easley of the Mississippi State Bulldogs
.
In 2008, as a junior, he hit .463 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs, won the Johnny Bench Award and was named the 2008 Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year. On May 12, 2008, he played all nine fielding positions in a game against Savannah State, including pitcher where he struck out both batters he faced. On June 14, 2008, Posey was awarded the Dick Howser Trophy
, and on July 16, 2008, he won the Golden Spikes Award
, which is given to the best player in amateur baseball.
During the college offseason, Posey started at shortstop on the 2006 Cape Cod Baseball League
championship team for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox
and started as the catcher on the 2007 championship team as well.
. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants
with the fifth overall pick. On August 15, 2008, the Giants signed Posey shortly before the signing deadline for draftees, giving him a $6.2 million bonus, the largest up-front bonus in MLB draft history at the time. He was invited to the Giants Spring Training
in 2009. Following 2009 Spring Training, Posey was assigned to the San Francisco Giants Class A Affiliate San Jose Giants
.
On July 13, 2009, he was promoted to the Giants' Triple A team, the Fresno Grizzlies
. With an injury to Giants starting catcher Bengie Molina
, Posey was called up to the majors for the first time on September 2, 2009. He made his major league debut on September 11, 2009 as a pinch hitter
, striking out. Posey got his first Major League hit on September 19 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
After again appearing in the Giants' spring training camp, Posey began the 2010 season at Fresno, batting .349 in 47 games.
against the Arizona Diamondbacks
. Posey drove in the first runs of his major league career, going three for four with three RBIs
. He appeared primarily at first base through the end of June. Following Molina's trade to the Texas Rangers
on June 30, 2010, Posey became the starting catcher for the Giants. Posey hit his first career home run
off of Aaron Harang
of the Cincinnati Reds
on June 9, 2010.
Posey hit his first career grand slam against the Milwaukee Brewers
on July 7, 2010, en route to a two-home run, four-hit, six-RBI night. That came during a July hitting streak—all of which was played on the road—in which Posey batted .514, had 19 hits, 6 home runs, and 13 RBIs to set a record for rookies during any 10-day stretch in the history of the National League, per the Elias Sports Bureau
. This performance also earned Posey the National League Player of the Week honors for the week of July 5–11, 2010. Posey also had a 21-game hitting streak that ended July 29 when Anibal Sanchez
of the Florida Marlins
threw a one-hitter against the Giants. During the streak, which fell one game short of tying the San Francisco Giants' rookie mark set by Willie McCovey
and five short of the team record, Posey batted .440 with 37 hits, six home runs, and 23 RBIs. Posey was awarded both the NL Player of the Month and NL Rookie of the Month awards for his excellent July. On July 10, on the road against the Washington Nationals
, Posey was inserted into the Giants' batting order as the clean-up hitter, which became his regular position in the lineup.
On September 21, 2010, Posey hit an 8th-inning home run against the Chicago Cubs
in Wrigley Field
to win the game, 1-0, the only time in major-league history the feat has been accomplished by a rookie on a first-place team in a September pennant race. He hit another 8th-inning home run, his 18th, in the final game of the year to help secure the NL West Division championship, 3-0.
Posey was named by his peers as the NL Players Choice Award
s Outstanding Rookie. He was also named the catcher on Baseball Americas All-Rookie Team.
Posey helped lead the Giants to the 2010 World Series
to face the Texas Rangers
, hitting .282 with three runs batted in during the first two rounds of the playoffs. In Game 4, Posey hit his first postseason home run to center field off of Darren O'Day
. The Giants would go on to win the series, 4-1. He became the fifth rookie catcher to win a World Series. During the series he hit .300 with a home run and two runs batted in.
On November 15, 2010, Posey was named National League Rookie of the Year, taking 20 first place votes to second place finisher Jason Heyward
's nine. Posey joins Willie Mays
, Orlando Cepeda
, Willie McCovey
, Gary Matthews
and John Montefusco
as the 6th Giant to win the Rookie of the Year award. He became the sixth catcher in National League history to win the award.
He was also named the catcher on the 2010 Topps
Major League Rookie All-Star Team
.
On May 25, 2011, Posey's lower left leg was injured during a collision with Scott Cousins
at home plate that broke his fibula and tore ligaments in his ankle, requiring surgery to repair. On May 29, 2011, a 90-minute surgery was performed to repair the ligaments and insert two screws in his leg to stabilize the ankle, following which the Giants announced Posey's season had ended.
As of September 2011, Posey was able to walk on his injured leg. In October, he traveled to the Giants' Spring Training facility to continue his rehab for six weeks. When asked about his progress, he said, "I'm pretty happy where I am." Posey is expected to be on the Giants' 2012 Opening Day roster.
Posey married his high school sweetheart, Kristen, in January 2009.
On Sunday, August 14, 2011, Buster and Kristen became the parents of twins (a boy and a girl); Lee Dempsey Posey and Addison Lynn Posey.
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He was drafted by the Giants fifth overall in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft
2008 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.-First round selections:* Did not sign...
.
Posey worked his way through the Giants' farm system in his first two seasons of professional baseball, advancing to its AAA affiliate. He made his major league debut on September 11, 2009, and after playing a third of the 2010 season in the minors, was called up to the Giants on May 29, becoming the team's starting catcher on June 30. In July 2010 he earned both NL Player of the Month and NL Rookie of the Month honors. He was also named the 2010 National League Rookie of the Year.
Early years
Posey is the eldest of four children of Gerald "Demp" Dempsey II and Traci Posey. He attended Lee County High SchoolLee County High School (Leesburg, Georgia)
- External links:*...
in Leesburg, Georgia
Leesburg, Georgia
Leesburg is a city in Lee County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,965 at the 2009 census estimate. The city is the county seat of Lee County.Leesburg is part of the Albany, Georgia Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. While there he was the Georgia Gatorade
Gatorade
Gatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
Player of the Year, Louisville Slugger State Player of the Year, and an EA Sports
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
All-American.
College career
Posey played college baseballCollege baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
for the Florida State Seminoles
Florida State Seminoles baseball
The Florida State Seminoles baseball team represents Florida State University in NCAA Division I college baseball and are one of the most successful collegiate baseball programs in the United States without a College World Series championship....
under coach Mike Martin. He began his freshman year at FSU playing shortstop, starting all 65 games for the Seminoles, and was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. He finished his freshman season with a .346 batting average, four home runs and 48 RBIs. As a sophomore, he moved from shortstop to catcher on the suggestion of assistant coach Mike Martin, Jr. He batted .382 with three home runs and 65 RBIs. After just one season of playing the position, Posey was a finalist for the Johnny Bench Award
Johnny Bench Award
The Johnny Bench Award was created in 2000 by to honor college baseball's top catcher. The award is the brain child of Wichitan Mike Gehrer who has coached and administrated in the Wichita area at the high school level for many years. He was a college catcher himself and is one of the most forward...
, awarded to the best catcher in college baseball. He would end up finishing behind Edward Easley of the Mississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State Bulldogs
The Mississippi State Bulldogs are the athletic teams of Mississippi State University. They participate in NCAA's Division I in the competitive 12-member Southeastern Conference under the mascot Bulldogs and the school colors of maroon and white...
.
In 2008, as a junior, he hit .463 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs, won the Johnny Bench Award and was named the 2008 Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year. On May 12, 2008, he played all nine fielding positions in a game against Savannah State, including pitcher where he struck out both batters he faced. On June 14, 2008, Posey was awarded the Dick Howser Trophy
Dick Howser Trophy
The Dick Howser Trophy, considered to be the Heisman Trophy of college baseball, is an award presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year, presented by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association ....
, and on July 16, 2008, he won the Golden Spikes Award
Golden Spikes Award
The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
, which is given to the best player in amateur baseball.
During the college offseason, Posey started at shortstop on the 2006 Cape Cod Baseball League
Cape Cod Baseball League
The Cape Cod Baseball League is a collegiate summer baseball league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, in which many college baseball stars play during the summer. Many future Major League Baseball players have started there during their college years; MLB has provided...
championship team for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox
Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox
The Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox, or Y-D Red Sox, is a collegiate summer baseball team based in South Yarmouth, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Eastern Division...
and started as the catcher on the 2007 championship team as well.
Draft and minor leagues
Posey was considered the best catcher available in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft2008 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.-First round selections:* Did not sign...
. He was drafted by the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
with the fifth overall pick. On August 15, 2008, the Giants signed Posey shortly before the signing deadline for draftees, giving him a $6.2 million bonus, the largest up-front bonus in MLB draft history at the time. He was invited to the Giants Spring Training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in 2009. Following 2009 Spring Training, Posey was assigned to the San Francisco Giants Class A Affiliate San Jose Giants
San Jose Giants
The San Jose Giants are a minor league baseball team in San Jose, California, USA. They are a Class A - Advanced team in the Northern Division of the California League, and have been a farm team of the San Francisco Giants since 1988. Home games are played at San Jose Municipal Stadium...
.
On July 13, 2009, he was promoted to the Giants' Triple A team, the Fresno Grizzlies
Fresno Grizzlies
The Fresno Grizzlies are a minor league baseball team based in Fresno, California. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League , is the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants major league club. The Grizzlies play in Chukchansi Park , located in downtown Fresno and built in 2002...
. With an injury to Giants starting catcher Bengie Molina
Bengie Molina
Benjamin José "Bengie" Molina , nicknamed "Big Money", is a former Major League Baseball catcher.He is the older brother of major league catchers José Molina and Yadier Molina....
, Posey was called up to the majors for the first time on September 2, 2009. He made his major league debut on September 11, 2009 as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
, striking out. Posey got his first Major League hit on September 19 against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
After again appearing in the Giants' spring training camp, Posey began the 2010 season at Fresno, batting .349 in 47 games.
Major League career
Posey was called up to the major leagues on May 29, 2010, and started at first baseFirst baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
against the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. Posey drove in the first runs of his major league career, going three for four with three RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. He appeared primarily at first base through the end of June. Following Molina's trade to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
on June 30, 2010, Posey became the starting catcher for the Giants. Posey hit his first career home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
off of Aaron Harang
Aaron Harang
Aaron Michael Harang is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.-Amateur career:Harang graduated from Patrick Henry High School then went on to San Diego State University...
of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
on June 9, 2010.
Posey hit his first career grand slam against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
on July 7, 2010, en route to a two-home run, four-hit, six-RBI night. That came during a July hitting streak—all of which was played on the road—in which Posey batted .514, had 19 hits, 6 home runs, and 13 RBIs to set a record for rookies during any 10-day stretch in the history of the National League, per the Elias Sports Bureau
Elias Sports Bureau
The Elias Sports Bureau is an American company that provides historical research and statistical services in the field of professional sports.In 1913, Al Munro Elias and his brother Walter established the Al Munro Elias Bureau in New York City...
. This performance also earned Posey the National League Player of the Week honors for the week of July 5–11, 2010. Posey also had a 21-game hitting streak that ended July 29 when Anibal Sanchez
Aníbal Sánchez
Aníbal Alejandro Sánchez, Jr. [a-NEE-bal] is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher with the Miami Marlins. He is listed as 6 feet tall and 180 pounds...
of the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
threw a one-hitter against the Giants. During the streak, which fell one game short of tying the San Francisco Giants' rookie mark set by Willie McCovey
Willie McCovey
Willie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
and five short of the team record, Posey batted .440 with 37 hits, six home runs, and 23 RBIs. Posey was awarded both the NL Player of the Month and NL Rookie of the Month awards for his excellent July. On July 10, on the road against the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, Posey was inserted into the Giants' batting order as the clean-up hitter, which became his regular position in the lineup.
On September 21, 2010, Posey hit an 8th-inning home run against the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
to win the game, 1-0, the only time in major-league history the feat has been accomplished by a rookie on a first-place team in a September pennant race. He hit another 8th-inning home run, his 18th, in the final game of the year to help secure the NL West Division championship, 3-0.
Posey was named by his peers as the NL Players Choice Award
Players Choice Award
The Players Choice Awards are annual Major League Baseball awards, given by the Major League Baseball Players Association .The Players Choice Awards are given following a secret ballot by players. Four awards go to a player in each league, while two awards each go to one player in all of Major...
s Outstanding Rookie. He was also named the catcher on Baseball Americas All-Rookie Team.
Posey helped lead the Giants to the 2010 World Series
2010 World Series
The 2010 World Series was the 106th occurrence of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff, played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion San Francisco Giants, began on Wednesday, , and ended on Monday, , with the Giants...
to face the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, hitting .282 with three runs batted in during the first two rounds of the playoffs. In Game 4, Posey hit his first postseason home run to center field off of Darren O'Day
Darren O'Day
Darren Christopher O'Day is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. He played college baseball for the University of Florida, and has played professionally for the Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, and Texas Rangers...
. The Giants would go on to win the series, 4-1. He became the fifth rookie catcher to win a World Series. During the series he hit .300 with a home run and two runs batted in.
On November 15, 2010, Posey was named National League Rookie of the Year, taking 20 first place votes to second place finisher Jason Heyward
Jason Heyward
Jason Alias Heyward , nicknamed J-Hey and J-Hey-Kid, is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Atlanta Braves. He throws and bats left-handed....
's nine. Posey joins Willie Mays
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
, Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Cepeda
Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes is a former Puerto Rican Major League Baseball first baseman.Cepeda was born to a poor family. His father, Pedro Cepeda, was a baseball player in Puerto Rico, which influenced his interest in the sport from a young age. His first contact with professional baseball was...
, Willie McCovey
Willie McCovey
Willie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
, Gary Matthews
Gary Matthews
Gary Nathaniel Matthews Sr. , nicknamed Sarge, is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball. He now serves as a color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies. From through , Matthews played for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Seattle...
and John Montefusco
John Montefusco
John Joseph Montefusco Jr. is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1974 to 1986 for the San Francisco Giants, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. Named the National League Rookie of the Year in 1975, Montefusco's nickname was "The Count", a pun on his last name which...
as the 6th Giant to win the Rookie of the Year award. He became the sixth catcher in National League history to win the award.
He was also named the catcher on the 2010 Topps
Topps
The Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
Major League Rookie All-Star Team
Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters
This is a year-by-year list of the Topps All-Star Rookie teams. Note that players selected for a particular team appear in the following year's set release...
.
On May 25, 2011, Posey's lower left leg was injured during a collision with Scott Cousins
Scott Cousins
Scott Michael Cousins is an outfielder for the Miami Marlins organization.-Amateur career:Cousins, 6'1 197 lbs, attended North Valleys High School in Reno, Nevada where he was a stand out in both baseball and basketball.As a sophomore at the University of San Francisco in 2005, Cousins...
at home plate that broke his fibula and tore ligaments in his ankle, requiring surgery to repair. On May 29, 2011, a 90-minute surgery was performed to repair the ligaments and insert two screws in his leg to stabilize the ankle, following which the Giants announced Posey's season had ended.
As of September 2011, Posey was able to walk on his injured leg. In October, he traveled to the Giants' Spring Training facility to continue his rehab for six weeks. When asked about his progress, he said, "I'm pretty happy where I am." Posey is expected to be on the Giants' 2012 Opening Day roster.
Personal
Posey's younger sister, Samantha, hit for a home-run cycle while playing in a double-header for her college softball team, Valdosta State.Posey married his high school sweetheart, Kristen, in January 2009.
On Sunday, August 14, 2011, Buster and Kristen became the parents of twins (a boy and a girl); Lee Dempsey Posey and Addison Lynn Posey.