The uneasy relationship between Jorge Posada and the Yankees turned bizarre and potentially ugly yesterday when the slumping designated hitter refused to play after being dropped to ninth in the batting order.
The reason for that refusal depends on whom you ask.
Posada said he had back stiffness and “needed to clear my head.” The Yankees said Posada never told them about any injury, and believed a bruised ego was his only ailment.
All of this played out during the Yankees’ 6-0 loss to the Red Sox in disharmonious theater reminiscent of “The Bronx Zoo” days. The drama featured sniping between Posada and general manager Brian Cashman, Posada’s wife using social media to explain her husband’s position, and Yankees executives contemplating what to do with the disgruntled, unproductive, 39-year-old DH — on and off the field.
The spectacle began with Yankees manager Joe Girardi moving Posada, who is hitting .165 (and 0-for-24 against left-handers), down to ninth in the lineup, the first time he would have started in that slot in exactly 12 years.
At 4 p.m., Posada told reporters he understood Girardi’s decision, but two hours later he went to the manager and asked out of the lineup.
A source said Posada told Girardi he was “insulted” by the lineup move. Both Posada and Girardi denied that.
“I told him I couldn’t play today and that I needed time to first clear my head and that was it,” Posada said.
Cashman was summoned and appealed to Posada to reconsider, but the longtime Yankee refused. Cashman met with reporters in the press box during the second inning of the game, and issued a brief statement verifying that Posada had pulled himself from the lineup. Cashman declined to answer most questions, including whether Posada was being insubordinate.
Posada, clearly perturbed, said: “I don’t know why he made a statement during the game, in the middle of the game. I don’t understand that. That’s the way he works now.”
Cashman said he told Posada and his agents what he was going to tell the media.
“I can’t help that he has to deal with a situation that he created,” Cashman said.
The tension between the Yankees and Posada has been simmering since the winter when the GM informed Posada he would no longer catch. Posada said last night he feels he has been disrespected “a little bit.”
During the game, Posada’s wife, Laura, posted a message on her Facebook page and on Twitter, which read: “Jorge loves being a Yankee [more than] anything. He’s trying his best to help his team win. Today, due to back stiffness he wasn’t able to do that.”
Posada said he never mentioned the back problem to either Girardi or Cashman because he does not consider it serious. A source said Posada had received no treatment for any injury in recent days nor had he complained to the trainer or medical staff about an injury. Posada said he saw a chiropractor yesterday after his back tightened up while he took grounders at first base.
Posada said he is not considering retirement.
“I still want to be here,” he said. “I love playing and I love playing for this organization. Hopefully, we can move on.”
A very tense Girardi fielded questions after the game during an uncomfortable press conference.
“I’m not going to talk about it much,” Girardi said. “Players go through difficult times. We all do. Sometimes we need a day to clear our heads. This season has been a struggle.”
The Yankees were considering their options. They could dock Posada two days’ pay for his refusal to play last night. If Posada refuses to play tonight, the Yankees believe, he could be placed on the restricted list, where he could stay indefinitely. He then would not be able to collect what remains of his $13.1 million salary in the final season of a four-year, $52.4 million contract.