Buster Posey retiring

[Ashitaka]

Word from multiple reporters is that Posey will officially announce his retirement tomorrow. Age 34 and just posted a 4.9 WAR season, shockingly "early" to see him done. It shouldn't, but you have to wonder if this hurts his Hall of Fame chances. With just maybe three more seasons he could have absolutely put it in stone.

[dafish]

Nov 3, 2021 15:52:24 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Word from multiple reporters is that Posey will officially announce his retirement tomorrow. Age 34 and just posted a 4.9 WAR season, shockingly "early" to see him done. It shouldn't, but you have to wonder if this hurts his Hall of Fame chances. With just maybe three more seasons he could have absolutely put it in stone.

Remember seeing a longevity report for players, and right at the bottom just above pitchers was catchers.  Think of how many times you have to bend your knees in your career.  And that doesn't count the concussions, and other contusions for the profession that Berra called the Tools of Ignorance.

A lot of great catchers like Bench and Biggio recognized the hazards of the trade, and turned in their mask for a sane career.  But you are right.......  Looking at Posey's numbers, they are no where near HOF standards.

[Ashitaka]

It's a shame because I think he should be in the Hall, but if Joe Torre couldn't get in, I guess Buster won't, very comparable careers as players. Posey was actually better (you could make the argument that he's the best catcher of all time on a per AB basis) but stopping short as he did might really hurt.

Though if Koufax got in despite that, I think Posey should as well.

[abregmanfan]

Tip of the cap to Buster Posey. No doubt the hall is waiting for him.

[unionstation82]

Absolute legend. I hope he gets in.

[Saint]

Absolute HoFer. More players need to retire before they start dragging ass. Good for him.

[unionstation82]

Nov 3, 2021 20:48:11 GMT -6 Saint said:

Absolute HoFer. More players need to retire before they start dragging ass. Good for him.

I don’t mind the Barry Sanders route of retirement. You rarely see it outside of football.

[Saint]

Nov 4, 2021 12:23:53 GMT -6 unionstation82 said:

Nov 3, 2021 20:48:11 GMT -6 Saint said:

Absolute HoFer. More players need to retire before they start dragging ass. Good for him.

I don’t mind the Barry Sanders route of retirement. You rarely see it outside of football.

I agree.

[Saint]

Although I will add, if Thurman Munson didn't get in with very similar overall production, I don't know Posey will do.

Posey was a better hitter for sure, but Munson had him on defense, imo. They were very close in a number of areas. Both MVPs, both 7x All-Stars, both of ROYs, both won multiple championships, etc.

[Ashitaka]

Nov 4, 2021 15:04:25 GMT -6 Saint said:

Although I will add, if Thurman Munson didn't get in with very similar overall production, I don't know Posey will do.

Posey was a better hitter for sure, but Munson had him on defense, imo. They were very close in a number of areas. Both MVPs, both 7x All-Stars, both of ROYs, both won multiple championships, etc.

Munson played in a really offensive-friendly era after they messed with the mound in the late 60's. If you look at park and league adjusted metrics, there's a much more significant gap (Posey 129 OPS+ vs Munson 116 OPS+, for example).

That said, I wouldn't mind Munson getting in himself. Catchers shouldn't be held to the same offensive standards as other positions.

[Saint]

Nov 4, 2021 15:16:56 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Nov 4, 2021 15:04:25 GMT -6 Saint said:

Although I will add, if Thurman Munson didn't get in with very similar overall production, I don't know Posey will do.

Posey was a better hitter for sure, but Munson had him on defense, imo. They were very close in a number of areas. Both MVPs, both 7x All-Stars, both of ROYs, both won multiple championships, etc.

Munson played in a really offensive-friendly era after they messed with the mound in the late 60's. If you look at park and league adjusted metrics, there's a much more significant gap (Posey 129 OPS+ vs Munson 116 OPS+, for example).

That said, I wouldn't mind Munson getting in himself. Catchers shouldn't be held to the same offensive standards as other positions.

Yeah but if you bring in their defense, Munson makes it closer. Very similar WARs over similar career lengths.

[unionstation82]

A Yankee captain, All Star, and former MVP who died while employed is not in the Hall of Fame? ‘Surprising’ would be an understatement.

[Ashitaka]

[Ashitaka]

Nov 4, 2021 16:40:27 GMT -6 Saint said:

Nov 4, 2021 15:16:56 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Munson played in a really offensive-friendly era after they messed with the mound in the late 60's. If you look at park and league adjusted metrics, there's a much more significant gap (Posey 129 OPS+ vs Munson 116 OPS+, for example).

That said, I wouldn't mind Munson getting in himself. Catchers shouldn't be held to the same offensive standards as other positions.

Yeah but if you bring in their defense, Munson makes it closer. Very similar WARs over similar career lengths.

Posey is 16.7 WAR ahead of Munson though. That's like three full seasons of All-Star level production.

I will give Munson a win for showing up in the post-season. Dang he hit during the playoffs.

[Saint]

Nov 4, 2021 21:37:57 GMT -6 Ashitaka said:

Nov 4, 2021 16:40:27 GMT -6 Saint said:

Yeah but if you bring in their defense, Munson makes it closer. Very similar WARs over similar career lengths.

Posey is 16.7 WAR ahead of Munson though. That's like three full seasons of All-Star level production.

I will give Munson a win for showing up in the post-season. Dang he hit during the playoffs.

16.7? I see Munson at 46.2 and Posey at 44.9 according to baseball-reference.com...