TAMPA – There were a lot of people in San Juan with a lot less than the Posadas when Jorge was growing up. Never dirt poor, but not close to being rich, the son watched his father toil at three jobs and looked forward to the day when Tamara and Jorge, Sr. had it a little easier.
That day is less than a year away now that the switch-hitting 27-year-old catcher is on the verge of stardom and all the dollars that flow from that. At this time next year, Posada should be making at least $3.5 million a year and probably more after going through the arbitration process following a season which holds the promise of being a monster year while playing for the renewal sum of $350,000.
“I want to help give something back for all the things they gave me all the time,” Posada says of his parents.
Time was something Posada thought was running out with his mother last December. Walking on the Upper East Side near her son’s apartment, Tamara Posada became winded and needed to find a seat. Immediately, father and son wasted no time getting her to Puerto Rico, where tests revealed two clogged and one blocked artery. Triple bypass surgery followed.
Less than two months after playing a large role in the Yankees becoming the greatest team in baseball history, Posada had his priorities redefined.
“You see things in a different way,” Posada said. “The game isn’t everything anymore.”
Like her son did years ago when he was converted from a second baseman to a catcher, Tamara Posada, 59, is using hard work and will power to stay healthy.
“She is doing good, she changed here diet, is walking and quit smoking,” Jorge said.
And the son? He is no different than any other son when it comes to parents who have experienced medical difficulties. In other words, it hit him flush on the jaw.
“So much can happen in so little time,” Posada said. “I have a different view. I thought my mom was invincible and all of a sudden we are taking her to the hospital.”
Of course, the most positive thing to come out of the situation was that Tamara avoided a heart attack. And while the timing is never good, it helped Posada to be with his mother.
“I was glad it happened during the offseason because if it happened while I was here, it would have been tough,” Posada said.
Even before his mother’s surgery, Posada made sure he talked to her frequently, to let her know her rising star son hadn’t forgotten what she meant to him.
“I talk to her every day or every other day just to say hello, maybe five minutes or so,” Posada says. “She comes to see the games about twice a year.”
When Tamara visits this summer, she will be looking at a player many believe is about to go through the roof in terms of statistics. One reason is that Posada will likely catch more than he did a year ago as he assumes the role of regular catcher with Joe Girardi taking on a lesser work load. Secondly, Posada’s confidence is on the rise following a season in which he hit .268 with 17 homers and 63 RBIs in 111 games.
“He hasn’t scratched the surface yet,” catching instructor Gary Tuck said. “Our goal is to be consistent and be the total package.”