It was a day years within the making for honoring the Florida State legacy of Buster Posey.
The previous FSU baseball star and three-time World Sequence Champion with the San Francisco Giants made a uncommon look again at his alma mater Saturday. He bought to witness, alongside together with his spouse, Kristen, and 4 kids, as his No. 8 grew to become the fourth FSU jersey retired within the outfield at Dick Howser Stadium.
And he bought to do it together with his FSU head coach, Mike Martin Sr., who retired after the 2019 season, in attendance to honor him.
“It is a large honor. It is arduous to place it into phrases…” Posey stated. “For those who would have informed me as a 16-, 17-year previous that someday I might have my jersey up there on the wall, I might have laughed at you.
“I will say this too. I do know the sphere is called after him, however I believe so extremely of 11 that it virtually doesn’t really feel proper for my jersey to be there subsequent to his. I really feel like his ought to stand alone.”
By all accounts, that could be the right summation of Posey. He’s top-of-the-line gamers in FSU baseball – and presumably even faculty baseball – historical past. His last season at FSU in 2008, he hit .463 with 26 residence runs and 93 runs batted in, successful the school baseball Triple Crown and the Golden Spikes Trophy.
As a professional, he gained three World Sequence rings, two NL Comeback Participant of the 12 months awards and was a seven-time All Star in 12 years with the Giants earlier than retiring in November of 2021.
And but, on a day constructed to honor him, he was pushing the reward elsewhere.
“There are folks that have in all probability had related careers, however I do not know that there are folks that have carried themselves the way in which he carried himself right here and clearly past,” FSU head coach Hyperlink Jarrett stated. “He is right down to earth and we’re very appreciative that he would spend this time coming again to permit us to have a day for him…
“His being right down to earth and humble, similar to he was when he was right here, is what stands out to me as a lot as any of the accolades. He’s a world-class man.”
Posey arrived at FSU as a highly-touted shortstop out of Leesburg, Ga. in 2006. He performed there his first season earlier than shifting to the catcher spot forward of the 2007 season when FSU introduced in Mark Hallberg, who would go on to be Posey’s third-base coach in San Francisco, as a switch shortstop.
That wound up being an ideal transfer for Posey, who took to the place change exceptionally effectively, going fifth total within the 2008 MLB Draft and changing into top-of-the-line MLB catchers in current historical past and a surefire Corridor of Famer as soon as eligible.
Posey credit an excessive amount of this to Martin, who was the most important purpose behind his option to play faculty ball at FSU.
“I used to be hooked by the ambiance, the depth of the way in which that 11 coached and I used to be not let down by that after I bought right here. I noticed instantly how a lot he loves the sport of baseball. I tremendously benefited due to that…” Posey stated of Martin. “He was passionate, even in 97 levels in fall observe. He was keen about getting higher, about instructing, about serving to individuals perceive the facility of what their thoughts was and the way it can assist them by way of powerful occasions. A few of these classes I took throughout my large league profession and classes now as a dad that I wish to instill in my very own kids. Lots of occasions for those who take your thoughts someplace, your physique’s gonna observe you. That is generally a tough factor to know as a teenager by way of experiencing totally different difficulties.”
Even in retirement, Posey is conserving himself fairly busy. He’s on the board for Dick Vitale’s V Basis for Most cancers Analysis and in addition having fun with all that comes with being a father of 4.
“4 youngsters are conserving us busy. I am actually having fun with that. I am within the carpool lane quite a bit,” Posey quipped.
Posey’s return to FSU got here with a busy schedule, which included a number of interviews, catching up with a number of former teammates, followers and giving his 4 kids a tour of the stadium that he known as residence throughout his faculty days.
His 11-year-old son, Lee, even bought to throw out the ceremonial first pitch of the sport, throwing it to his dad behind the plate.
However Posey did take outing of that busy schedule to meet up with the present FSU baseball crew. He sat down with them, talked about a few of his favourite reminiscences and moments and answered their questions on baseball.
To be able to match this in, the Seminoles skipped their pregame infield/outfield warmup reps earlier than Saturday’s sport, which they gained 5-3 over Pitt.
“My foremost message to them was, as cliche as it’s, I do consider your two, three, 4 years that you simply get to spend at this college for me have been a few of my greatest reminiscences as a baseball participant,” Posey stated. “Not solely simply as a baseball participant, however the time that you simply spend together with your teammates away from the sphere. They turn out to be your greatest associates.”
Jarrett added, “I’ll always remember it and our crew, these gamers will keep in mind that without end.”
Posey stated he at all times tried his greatest to maintain tabs on how issues have been going for the Seminoles after leaving, however admitted how difficult it was given his hectic schedule and dwelling so distant on the West Coast.
Nevertheless, he at all times made time for normal check-ins with Martin. And whereas he could not have a long-standing relationship with Jarrett, he’s beginning to change that and has an excessive amount of respect for what he completed in his teaching profession earlier than taking on his alma mater.
Posey ended his deal with to the followers at Howser, fittingly, by sending his greatest needs to Jarrett’s effort to do what so many FSU groups have come up simply wanting undertaking.
“Hyperlink, good luck to you guys. Carry a championship again to Tallahassee.”
