Coming on to the scene midseason 2009, Buster Posey did not take long to impress. In 2010, he won Rookie of the Year and led the Giants to a World Series Title.
Forecasted to be the next big thing, a catastrophic play the very next year put Buster's future in limbo as his leg was broken in gruesome fashion after being blindsided by the Marlins' Scott Cousins. Some debated whether he'd be able to play catcher again. Others debated whether he'd be able to play anything ever again. After all, his leg had pretty much snapped. There wasn't much consistency surrounding recovery for that type of injury.
He returned in 2012 to the delight of Giants' fans who had already accepted him as the new face of the franchise. Posey quickly showed that the injury was completely in the rearview, hitting .336 while driving in 103 runs and hitting 24 HRs. He was elected to his second All Star game and given NL MVP honors. After a stellar regular season, Posey didn't let up in the playoffs, hitting a grand slam in the divisional series to lead the Giants to a remarkable comeback over the Reds. From there, the Giants went on to win their their second World Series in three years.
2013 wasn't as spectacular for Posey, as he finished 20th in the MVP race and the Giants failed to make the playoffs. But come 2014, he was back in business.
Posey had a stellar season, finishing sixth in the MVP race and receiving his second silver slugger award. The Giants clinched a spot in the Wild Card Playoff and soared through the playoffs just as they had in years past, winning the World Series in seven games over the Kansas City Royals. Just five years into his career, Posey already had three World Series rings.
Before Posey joined the Giants, the team hadn't won a World Series since 1954. Already considered a dynasty by many, don't be surprised to see the Giants win a few more in the upcoming years.
Also, the Giants pitching staff rising to the top of the league shortly after Posey started putting down signs behind the plate is no coincidence. The pitchers obviously deserve the majority of the credit, but Posey is definitely a huge part of the success equation. Not only is he one of the best skills in the game, but at 28 years old, he's one of the best minds.
“How valuable has he been? I mean, he’s invaluable. I think that’s the right word. There’s so much that a catcher has to do as far as working with each and every pitcher, everyone’s personality, game plans, the other team’s hitters, reading their hitters, reading the defenses. And on top of that he’s hitting at one of the highest levels you can possibly hit at,” said outfielder Hunter Pence (usatoday.com).
This season his numbers have not failed to disappoint. His .320 batting average is the fifth best in the National League, and he has the third most RBI's in the NL with 67. His WAR (Wins Above Replacement), which pretty much measures a player's value, is the third highest in the NL at 4.8. Only five years into his career, don't expect Posey to slow down anytime soon.
When we compare him to Johnny Bench and Yogi Berra, the two greatest catchers of all time, he still has a long way to go. That being said, he's on a good pace. Bench retired with two World Series rings, two MVPs, 10 Gold Gloves, and 14 All Star appearances. Berra won an astounding 10 World Series with the Yankees, while being selected to the All Star team 18 times and grabbing three AL MVP awards in the process (sporting news.com).
After five seasons, Johnny Bench had five gold gloves, two MVPs, and a Rookie of the Year. In that time, Berra had four championships and an MVP. Through five seasons, Posey has won three championships, garnered NL MVP once, and been awarded Rookie of the Year (baseball-reference.com).
Posey probably won't win as many championships as Berra or as many Gold Gloves as Bench, but I expect him to be in the greatest-catcher-of-all-time conversation nonetheless. If he keeps up this rate of winning a championship every other year, an MVP award every four or so, and picks up a few Gold Gloves along the way, it is hard to see him not at least contesting for a spot with Berra and Bench as one of the greatest catchers of all time.
