Buster Posey announced his retirement despite coming off a resurgent effort that helped guide the San Francisco Giants to a historic season and National League West title that snapped the Los Angeles Dodgers’ reign over the division at eight years.
The Giants held $22 million team option on Posey (with a $3 million buyout) for the 2022 season, and most anticipated it would be exercised or replaced with a multi-year contract. Reports of Posey retiring surfaced Wednesday and he confirmed the news in a press conference the following day.
Posey cited a desire to spend more time with his wife, Kristen, and their four children as the driving factor to retire at 34 years old.
The decision has been met by endless congratulatory messages, including from Dodgers free agent Clayton Kershaw, via NBC Sports Bay Area:
“I just have all the respect in the world for him. I think that’s the best way to say it. When you play against a guy for a long time and you’re a part of the rivalry that’s the Giants and Dodgers, obviously there’s some built in animosity toward the other team. We’ve had our tiffs in the past with a lot of other teams in the division over a lot of different things, but I’ve always admired Buster from afar. I always thought he carried himself on the field really, really well.
“Now that I’ve got some boys, I always think about guys I would want them to emulate their game after. Not just how they play, obviously, because Buster was really good at that. But just how they go about the game, how they play, how they interact with their teammates and things like that. Buster is at the top of the list for me. I’m happy for him. Congratulations for his retirement. That’s pretty cool he gets to do that and spend some time with his beautiful family. I was honored to be a part of this. It’s pretty cool to get to be a part of.”
The Dodgers additionally recognized Posey for his 12-year career.
A tremendous competitor and extraordinary player. After all the great battles, congratulations on an incredible career, @BusterPosey! pic.twitter.com/JpzpFLXTLq
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) November 4, 2021
During his time with the Giants, Posey was named 2010 NL Rookie of the Year, 2012 MVP and he won four Silver Slugger Awards, one Gold Glove and a batting title. He of course was also the backstop for three Giants teams that won the World Series (2010, 2012, 2014).
Posey’s career vs. Dodgers
Posey played in 176 games against the Dodgers, the most of any opponent in his career. He batted a lifetime .293/.368/.430 with 29 doubles, 19 home runs and 75 RBI in those contests.
A bulk of those appearances came against Kenley Jansen, who faced the longtime Giants’ catcher more than any other batter in his respective career. Posey 9-for-28 (.321) with one RBI, four walks and seven strikeouts in head-to-head meetings against Jansen.
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