On November 3rd, San Francisco Giants’ catcher Buster Posey, announced that he is retiring after 12 seasons. This comes as a shock to most fans, as he was only 34 years old and coming off a bounce back year after electing not to play last year because of COVID. Even though he has only played for 12 seasons, Posey is a no doubt future Hall of Famer.
Since coming into the league in 2009, Posey has led all catchers in Wins Above Replacement(57.6), wRC+(129) and Win Probability Added(19.19). Posey has also been one of the best catchers behind plate too, throwing out 33% of runners, 6% better than league average. Since 2009, he is also fourth in framing runs with 128.8, making him one of the best pitch framers in the game.
In 2012, Posey put up one of the all time great catching seasons, slashing .336/.408/.549, winning the batting title and National Leagues Most Valuable Player award, becoming just the 16th catcher to ever win the award. He also led all of Major League Baseball in fWAR with 10.1.
Posey in his 12 seasons, has also been an integral part to three championships teams. Winning one in 2010, 2012 and 2014 and catching 14 postseason shutouts along the way, six more than any other catcher. Posey’s game calling should come as no surprise, as he as also caught three no hitters in his career.
Posey has been a leader on and off the field and has checked off every box of becoming a hall of famer; rookie of the year, MVP, World Series champ(3x), and a career .302 hitter. While baseball fans are going to miss him, it has been a pleasure to watch one of the best catchers of his generation play the game of baseball.
