Posada Benched

It was announced by Jorge Posada last night before the rubber match of a three game series with the Boston Red Sox that the longtime New York Yankee wouldn't be in the lineup as the designated hitter against right-hander Josh Beckett. This was just the latest step in the gruelingly slow demise and destruction of the one-time Yankee great.

Posada, who had already been removed from lineups facing left-handed pitchers, was told by Joe Girardi that in order for the Yankees to compete, Girardi was "going to put the best lineup on the field".

While some diehards believe in the whole "He's earned the right to play until he retires" garbagio, I believe that if you want to stay competitive in this league, you have to be able to tie up the loose ends and get on with "putting the best lineup on the field".

What I absolutely don't want to see is a situation similar to what the Red Sox have with Jason Varitek, where for years the team and fan base have felt obligated to keep trucking him out there despite his inability to hit or field at the major league level. That would not fly in the Bronx, not when the Yankees are SO reliant on their hitting.

The Red Sox can afford to play Varitek knowing that they are sending an ace out to the mound almost every night. With the Yankees relying on their hitting to make up for a pretty hideous pitching staff, they simply cannot afford to keep Jorge in the lineup.

So kudos to Joe Girardi for doing the right thing and farewell Jorge, it's been a good run.

And cheers to the end of the most horrific chant in baseball history...

- Dick