Jorge Posada's retirement was full of emotional moments (Photo Bill Menzel)

Todo tiene su final; Nada dura para siempre. Tenemos que recordar; Que no existe eternidad. 

Part of Lyrics  " Todo Tiene Su Final "by salsa singer Hector Lavoe

Yankee Stadium, el Bronx-NY- If a musical tune as is customary played for a batter upon coming to the plate in a game were to accompany Jorge Posada’s farewell, the announcement of his retirement as-and-only a Yankee in a17-year baseball career, the Hector Lavoe song would have been fitting. 

And then almost: The first two lines say: “All has an end. Nothing lasts forever” And sooner or later a prominent baseball player as Jorge Posada has been with the New York Yankees, whom is mentioned as a possible Hall of Famer, has to come to grips with when to say adios – goodbye.

But there is a paradox to the lyrics when it comes to Jorge. The next two lines read: “We have to remember. There is no eternity.” And yet with his retirement announcement, Jorge Posada, in a very emotional farewell in front of a packed media room at the stadium, has all but assured himself a space of eternity in the most renowned team in sports.

He played with a passion and it was just as fitting that an emotional press conference was the closing to an illustrious career for a Puerto Rican player who is in essence is true a caribeño – born in Puerto Rico of a Cuban father and Dominican mother.

Jason Zillo, media relations director, acted as master of ceremonies. Before giving the mike to Jorge, Mr. Zillo acknowledged the names of several notables in the audience, from top brass CEOs to Yankee players including former Yankee Willie Randolph.

CC Sabathia, Derek Jeter, Mariano River and former Yankee Willie Randolph (Photo Bill Menzel)

Jorge opened by saying that whenever he would walk through the doors of the stadium, it would often remind him of Joe DiMaggio’s quote: "I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee.” He acknowledged his parents’ role for the support they gave him to realize his dream: to be a Major League Baseball player and a Yankee. He thanked the Steinbrenner family as “my family away from home.”

He went on to say “I played the many games I played (after being called up to the team in 1995) with only one goal: to win a championship and bring the trophy back home.” A total of 5 Fall Classic Championships trophies (out of 7 World Series) were on display to the left of Jorge, his daughter Paulina, wife Laura and Jorge Posada Jr.

5n Championships out of 7 World Sereis during Posada years (Photo Bill Menzel)

A video clip was shown highlighting on- the-field exploits by Jorge Posada with the participation of season ticket holders that as fans express their appreciation for, and lauded Jorge Posada. He thanked the fans as the best in the world.

“Playing for the New York Yankees has been an honor,” he said, and followed by stating that “I could never wear another uniform.” Later press questions were asked on the possibility of playing for another team, but he made it clear that he would not pursue that path. “I will always be a Yankee,” is what Jorge wanted to cherish. In today’s baseball, playing out a career with only one team is indeed a rare occurrence.

Jorge then introduced the Spanish language to the press conference that would be followed with several tearful emotional pauses: the first one came after he acknowledges his mother Tamara, his father Jorge and his sister Michelle. He went on mention his wife (firm support on his baseball career) and children, thanking them for always making him smile. At this point his daughter Paulina broke a wide cute smile while his son Jorge raised his arm when his name was mentioned and this tickled the audience into laughter.

He thanked his teammates (there was an emotional pause here) and quipped to Derek Jeter, “I hope you don’t miss me that much… Mariano Rivera, my brother, we would not have any of those without you (referring to the trophies).” Jorge went on to mention a number of other players and personnel (except Skipper Joe Giraldi who may have been over sighted – twice, but with no further ado in this article).

Paulina, Jorge, Laura and Jorge Jr. No one shy in the group (Photo Bill Menzel)

Jorge thanked the Media not only for his playing time, but for promoting the work of the Jorge Posada Foundation. In Spanish he went to say, “Finally for all the Latinos and my people of Puerto Rico, my friends and family I love you very much with all my heart and I am grateful for all your support throughout my career (emotional pause). As my father would say, I bid farewell and I hope you are proud of me. Thank you.”

Fans, Latinos and Boricuas in particular are certainly proud of Jorge Posada. As yet-to-announce-his-retirement and former teammate Bernie Williams said in a sent message: “”I can’t believe that ‘Jorgito,’ is actually announcing his retirement before I do…he will be missed by the Yankees family, all of his teammates, coaches, and most of all, the great Yankees fans.”

But as the song says: “Todo tiene su final. Nada dura para siempre. But for Jorge, there is a window of eternity in Yankees folklore – where legends are made.

Diana Munson said Jorge bought her back to baseball -- after staying away because of Thurman's untimely death in airplaine accident (Photo Bill Menzel)

Third Publishing

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