Buster Posey: All-Star catcher, 30, “would love nothing more” than to retire as Giant.
MIAMI — One cool thing with Giants catcher Buster Posey being an All-Star is hanging out for a couple of days with Yadier Molina.
Molina is the dean of major-league catchers, an eight-time All-Star and likely future Hall of Famer. He turns 35 on Thursday and recently signed an extension through 2020, after which he’ll be 38.
He has played his entire career in St. Louis, and it’s a decent bet he’ll retire a Cardinal.
Which brings us to Posey, who turned 30 in March and didn’t hesitate
before Monday’s All-Star workout when asked if he sees himself retiring with the Giants.
“Obviously, that’s my goal. That’s what I would like to do,” Posey said.
The connection between Posey and the Giants is unlike any other, considering he’s the only position player still around from all three championships and remains the linchpin, which National League manager Joe Maddon called him Monday.
Aside from his three rings, MVP award, Rookie of the Year award and batting title, Posey is a five-time All-Star. All as a San Franciscan.
“It’s based on success we’ve had,” said Posey, explaining his desire to stick around until his career ends, “and I feel a connection with the city, with the fans. It’s home for my kids, and it’ll be home for them. Obviously, things can change. But I would love nothing more than that.” Posey paused. “I think I’m OK at this point in my career where my agent’s not going to get mad at me for saying that,” he said.
In addition to Posey’s bond with his team and adopted hometown is his bond with manager Bruce Bochy, who is in his catcher’s corner.
For example, when Maddon criticized Posey last month while defending Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo for his part in a home-plate collision with San Diego catcher Austin Hedges, Bochy was quick to say Maddon didn’t know what he was talking about.
Maddon said Posey’s “bad technique” in a play at the plate caused his season-ending injury in May 2011. The Cubs’ manager isn’t a proponent of the rule that later was put in place to deter home-plate collisions and said there would be no rule if a third-string catcher were hurt instead of Posey.
On Monday, Posey was asked about Maddon’s comments:
“What I’ll say is, I think Joe always has his players’ backs, even if he’s a little misguided,” Posey said. “That’s where I’ll leave it.”
Maddon praised Posey during a news conference to announce All-Star lineups; Posey is batting fourth behind Charlie Blackmon, Giancarlo Stanton and Bryce Harper.
“A guy I admire a lot and respect from a distance, what he has done out west with that team,” Maddon said. “The Giants have been pretty successful over the last several years. Obviously, this guy is the linchpin to all their success.”
Posey and Molina are the lone NL catchers (though a catcher can re-enter if another
“I feel a connection with the city, with the fans. It’s home for my kids.” Buster Posey, on San Francisco
catcher is injured or ejected) and are All-Star teammates for the fourth time.
“We have a good relationship. He’s a great player,” Molina said. “We always talk and we always laugh and we always have fun together.”
Posey appreciates the longevity and durability of Molina, whose brother Bengie was the Giants’ catcher Posey replaced in mid-2010, a key moment in the franchise’s championship era.
“I have a lot of respect for him, the way he plays and how hard he plays,” Posey said. “To watch him go out and catch as much as he does still is impressive.”
Posey is signed through 2021 with an option for 2022 and has not experienced a down year quite like this — the Giants (34-56) are last in the NL West. But what transpired before this season is what makes him want to stay. And strive for better days. “Obviously, we’re surprised,” Posey said. “We didn’t anticipate to be where we are at this point. What are you going to do? What’s happened so far is done with. All we can try to do is get some momentum in the second half and hopefully take that into next year.”