From the New York Daily News

Tuesday, July 10, 2001

By ANTHONY McCARRON
Daily News Sports Writer

Jorge Posada was a skinny infielder when he started his pro career. When the Yankees asked him to switch to catcher, there was another converted catcher in their system, Tom Wilson, who the organization brains thought had a better chance of being a productive major leaguer.

At several of his minor-league stops, the stadium's backstop screen was a long way from home plate and Posada made the journey frequently. The old joke, "He's more of a retriever than a receiver," popped up in the organization and there were days when Posada's frustration was so acute he wanted to dump shin guards forever.

But that formerly bony infielder has built himself into a powerful hitter, one of the best hitting catchers in the game. He has conquered the frustration of learning the position and the frustration of sharing it and made himself an All-Star.

Tonight, Posada will celebrate his second consecutive selection to the American League All-Star team by making sure to carve out as much time for the festivities as he can. He's bought his 19-month-old son, Jorge Jr., a pinstriped Yankee uniform to wear during the fun. His wife, Laura, and his mother-in-law will be in Seattle. He even got to pick the music that will play when he bats — Houdini's "Five Minutes of Funk," the same song that plays prior to his at-bats at the Stadium.

Last year, at the game in Atlanta, "everything happened so fast," he said. "Now I know what to do. I'm going to take a little more time for myself, just to relax and talk to the guys."

One clear memory is hearing his name blaring from the Turner Field loudspeakers during the player introductions. In his recollection, after the tip of his cap, it all grows foggy. "It was like I wasn't there, but I was," he said.

Posada, 29, relishes those moments. Just as he savored last season, when he finally was given the everyday catching job. Joe Girardi, who had split duty with Posada for three years, left as a free agent and the Yankees believed Posada would blossom. He hit .287 with 28 homers and 86 RBI. This year, going into the break, Posada is batting .304 with 13 home runs and 62 RBI.

"I finally looked back at last year over the winter," Posada said. "I was very blessed. I waited a long time (six full seasons in the minors). I never backed down, even when I was on the bench, I worked harder.

"I really take pride in being the everyday catcher. I pray to be healthy, so I can improve every year. But I don't really like talking about what I've done. I've got to keep going."

Yankees hitting coach Gary Denbo worked with Posada at several stops along Posada's climb through the Yankee system. He remembered the switch-hitting Posada fixing his lefthanded swing, making it more compact. "He was a guy who struck out a lot, but he improved himself dramatically and now he's a force as a power hitter," Denbo said. "A lot of his chances to get where he is now were determined by his work ethic."

That has given Posada confidence. Which, Paul O'Neill says, is the main reason why Posada is a terror with runners in scoring position this season, hitting .440 in those situations.

"I've always liked his balance at the plate," O'Neill said. "He never looks like he swings off-balance. He's really confident with runners on and that's what that's all about. He's the guy we want at the plate then."

Posada said he and the other Yankees who made the All-Star team didn't say much more than congratulations to each other. "Nobody puts it into words," Posada said.

Derek Jeter, who lives in the same Manhattan apartment building as Posada and usually drives to the Stadium with him, knows how much the second All-Star selection means to Posada.

"The first time you go, you are in awe, looking around at everyone," Jeter said. "Now he's getting another opportunity to go and he realizes he belongs.

"Now some of the other players should be looking at him with that feeling."