Buster Posey
SAN FRANCIS CO The San Francisco Giants won the National League West by eight games in large part because Buster Posey had an MVP-level season.
They reached their second World Series in three years even though Posey hasn’t had anywhere close to an MVP-type postseason.
Normally a disciplined hitter, Posey went out of the zone more often than usual against the St. Louis Cardinals’ tough pitching in the National League Championship Series and wound up hitting .154. He and No. 5 hitter Hunter Pence (.179) combined for four RBI against the Cardinals.
But not only did the Giants overcome deficits of 2-0 in the division series and 3-1 in the NLCS, they also outscored the Cardinals 20-1 in the final three games.
“It definitely allows me to relax. I’m sure it allows Hunter to relax some, too,” Posey said of the rest of the offense’s output. “For us to win six elimination games in a row, you know you’re going to have to get contributions from everybody on the team.”
And as a catcher, Posey’s contributions go beyond what he does at the plate. Two of the critical plays of the division series entailed Posey throw- ing out Cincinnati Reds baserunners.
Of course, Posey also delivered that series’ signature hit, a grand slam off Mat Latos that accounted for most of San Francisco’s scoring in a 6-4 victory in the clincher.
He also is the team’s clear leader and more vocal than when he was a rookie two years ago and helped the Giants win the World Series.
“Buster’s always going to be that guy who’s aged beyond his years. He’s just really mature and really professional,” Tim Lincecum said. “But he has grown in that he has gone from that guy who wasn’t necessarily saying that much back in the day to a guy who will say stuff now. He is that guy.”