Jorge Posda

Jorge Posada was born on August 17, 1971 in Santurce, Puerto Rico) is a switch-hitting catcher and 4-time All Star who plays for the New York Yankees.
He was drafted by the Yankees in the 24th round of the 1990 amateur draft, and made his major league debut in 1995.Posada was a second baseman during his first minor league season. His successful conversion from that position to catcher was unusual. Posada survived a hideous home plate collision in 1994 in which he broke his left leg and dislocated his left ankle while playing for the AAA Columbus Clippers.

Since his debut with the Yankees, Posada has a career on base percentage of .375. His batting average, through 2006, has been 39 points higher against righties than against lefties.[1]

Posada has also been a member of 4 World Series championship teams ( 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000) and 6 American League championship teams ( 1996,1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003). Posada has been a 5-time All-Star (2000-03, 2007) and a 4-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award in those same years.

In 2000 he batted .287 (a career best) and was 6th in the league in walks (107), 8th in on base percentage (.417), and 9th in intentional walks (10).

In 2001 he was 8th in the league in intentional walks (10).

In 2002 he was 7th in the league in doubles (40), and 10th in intentional walks (9). He also led the leagues in grounding into double plays (23).

Arguably, his best season to date was 2003, when he hit 30 home runs (1 every 16.0 at bats, 9th best in the league) and drove in 101 runs, both career highs. He batted .281 and was also 5th in the league in OBP (.405), and 6th in the league in walks (93; walking 17.5% of the time, a career high). He tied Yogi Berra’s record for most home runs by a Yankee catcher and finished third in the MVP voting.

In 2004 he was 3rd in the league in walks (88), and 4th in OBP (.400). He also led the leagues in grounding into double plays (24).

In 2005, he suffered a down year, causing some skeptics to think that his career was almost over.

However, in 2006, he had a bounce back year, posting one of his best offensive seasons. Among other things, he led the major leagues with 20 pinch hits.[2] In addition, work with new first base coach Tony Pena, a former catcher, helped him improve his percentage of runners thrown out stealing second almost 60 points above his career average.

Through June 9, 2007, Posada was 2nd in the AL in batting average (.359), 3rd in doubles (21), 6th in slugging (.571), and 7th in OBP (.414