Jorge Posada retires after 17-year career

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Five-time All-Star catcher and five-time World Series champion Jorge Posada, who spent his entire 17-season career with the New York Yankees, announced his retirement at a tear-filled news conference Tuesday.

‘I could never wear another uniform,’ Posada, 40, said. ‘I will forever be a Yankee.’

Posada said he made the decision to retire during the 2011 season, a tough one for him. Posada was in and out of the lineup, and when he did play he would often be the designated hitter.

‘[Derek Jeter] helped me stay focused and positive. Thank you buddy. Hopefully you won’t miss me that much,’ he said Tuesday.

Posada’s retirement removes one of the last remaining pieces from the Yankees dynasty that won four World Series from 1996 to 2000. Only Jeter and Mariano Rivera are left from that group.

Jeter, 37, and Rivera, 42, talked about how their days for retirement would come.

‘Mo’s going to be here longer than all of us,’ Jeter told the Associated Press.

Posada made a point of thanking Jeter specifically during the news conference.

Posada finished his career with a .273 career batting average, 275 home runs and 1,065 RBIs.

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