JORGE POSADA - 2007

Jorge Posada, a native of Puerto Rico, made the jump from the short-stop position for the Calhoun Community College Warhawks to becoming one of the top catchers in major league baseball with the New York Yankees. After eleven seasons with the Yankees Posada had earned the reputation as one of the key players for the perennial playoff contenders for World Series contention.  

Posada has earned four World Series Championship rings and has competed as a starter in two All Star Games as a New York Yankee. He tied Yogi Berra?s record of 30 home runs in a season for the New York Yankees.  

In addition to his efforts on the baseball field, Posada has been distinguished by the ?Giving Back Foundation? for his foundation, which provides assistance in medical research. Posada?s son was born with a rare medical condition, know as craiosynostosis. Jorge has been actively involved in finding a cure for this medical condition through the development of his foundation.  

Posada has also been honored by New York City and Puerto Rico for his work in the off season with youth in volunteer clinics and equipment provision for youth baseball in needy areas. Posada received the 2001 Milton Richman ?You Gotta Have Heart? Award from the New York Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association and the 2000 Thurman Munson Award for his baseball and philanthropic work.  

Recruited by Warhawk Coach Fred Frickie after a hint from a professional baseball scout, Posada became a Warhawk in the fall of 1989. He was named to the All-Region XXII squad as a freshman after batting .362. As a freshman, Posada set a new record for doubles with 21 and hit nine home runs. In the spring draft, the New York Yankees selected him for the second time.  

Moving to third base from shortstop proved to be a great move for the Warhawks during his sophomore year. During his tenure at Calhoun, Jorge was a switch hitter playing in 90 games. He had 84 hits, 33 doubles, two triples and 13 homeruns for a total of 44 extra base hits. Jorge earned his Associate of Science degree at Calhoun prior to being drafted by the Yankees and signing in June of 1991.  

After four seasons with Yankee minor league squads, Posada was promoted to the major league team in the fall of 1995. He played at the AAA Level for the 1996 season and was called up again in the last month to his current position.

The 1998 season served as the beginning of his contribution to the three consecutive World Series Championships of the Yankee Dynasty. Jorge is a four-time All Star, a four-time winner of the Silver Slugger award, and was chosen New York Player of the year in 2003.  

Jorge?s career numbers in 1,240 games with the Yankees include a career batting average of .270, 189 home runs, 735 RBIs, 630 runs and 252 doubles (through August 5, 2006).  

Jorge was in the top 10 in American League On-Base Percentage three times in his career, placing eighth in 2000, fifth in 2003 and fourth in 2004.  

A native of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Posada lives in Tampa with his wife Laura, son Jorge Posada, Jr., and daughter Paulina.