With Joe Girardi and Jim Leyritz in the home stretch of their careers in the late 1990s, Jorge Posada was deemed the Yankees' heir apparent at catcher.
"Jim and I knew our days were numbered. We enjoyed it as long as we could," Girardi said, "and Jorge turned into everything that everyone expected."
For his storied 17-year career in pinstripes, Posada was honored before Saturday afternoon's Yankees game. The Yankees unveiled a plaque in Monument Park recognizing his career, and retired his uniform No. 20.
"Trying to put into words the feelings and emotions around this day is definitely tough," Posada said in his speech.