Buster Posey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Buster Posey
Posey with the San Francisco Giants in 2018
San Francisco Giants
Catcher / President of Baseball Operations
Born: (1987-03-27) March 27, 1987 (age 38) Leesburg, Georgia, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 11, 2009, for the San Francisco Giants
Last appearance
October 3, 2021, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
Batting average	.302
Home runs	158
Runs batted in	729
Teams
As player San Francisco Giants (2009–2019, 2021) As executive San Francisco Giants (2025–present)
Career highlights and awards
7× All-Star (2012, 2013, 2015–2018, 2021) 3× World Series champion (2010, 2012, 2014) NL MVP (2012) All-MLB Second Team (2021) NL Rookie of the Year (2010) Gold Glove Award (2016) 5× Silver Slugger Award (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021) NL Hank Aaron Award (2012) 2× NL Comeback Player of the Year (2012, 2021) NL batting champion (2012) Golden Spikes Award (2008) Dick Howser Trophy (2008)
Medals Men's baseball Representing  United States World Baseball Classic Gold 2017 Los Angeles Team

Buster Posey (born March 27, 1987) is a famous American former professional baseball catcher. He played his entire 12-year career in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the San Francisco Giants. He played from 2009 until he retired after the 2021 season. Today, he is a top leader for the Giants, serving as their president of baseball operations.

Posey was born in Leesburg, Georgia. He was a great athlete in high school, playing four different sports. He was especially good at baseball, both hitting and pitching. He went to Florida State University, where he started playing as a catcher and first baseman. In 2008, he won two big awards: the Golden Spikes Award and the Brooks Wallace Award.

The Giants chose him as the fifth player in the 2008 MLB draft. Posey played his first MLB game on September 11, 2009. He and pitcher Madison Bumgarner became known as one of the best "batteries" (a catcher and pitcher working together) in baseball. As a rookie, Posey had a .305 batting average, 18 home runs, and 67 runs batted in. He caught every game in the playoffs as the Giants won the 2010 World Series. He was named the NL Rookie of the Year.

In 2011, Posey got hurt in a collision at home plate. He missed most of that year. This collision even led to a new rule in baseball in 2014, often called the "Buster Posey Rule," about how players can slide into home plate. Posey came back strong in 2012. He caught Matt Cain's perfect game and had a .336 batting average, winning the NL batting title. He was also voted the 2012 NL MVP. That year, he won his second World Series with the Giants.

In 2013, Posey signed a very large contract with the Giants. The next year, he won his third World Series when the Giants beat the Kansas City Royals. Posey is only the second player in MLB history to win the Rookie of the Year award, a League MVP award, and three World Series championships.

During his career, Posey played in four no-hitter games, catching three of them. In 2016, he won a Gold Glove Award for his excellent defense. In 2019, the Johnny Bench Award, which honors the best college catcher, was renamed the Buster Posey Award in his honor. After choosing not to play in the short 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and family reasons, Posey helped the Giants win a team-record 107 games in his final season in 2021.

In September 2022, Posey became one of the Giants' owners. Two years later, he became their president of baseball operations, a top leadership role for the team.

Early Life and High School Baseball

Buster Posey was born on March 27, 1987, in Leesburg, Georgia. He was the oldest of four children. His family grew up as Methodist Christians. Posey got his nickname "Buster" from his dad's childhood nickname. He was a big fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team.

Growing up, Posey played football, soccer, and basketball. But baseball was always his favorite sport. In high school at Lee County High School, he was a pitcher and played shortstop. He was amazing at hitting, with a .544 batting average and 46 RBIs in one season. As a pitcher, he had a 10–1 record.

In his senior year, he hit 14 home runs, a school record. He also had a 12–0 pitching record with 108 strikeouts. After high school, Posey won several awards, including the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. He was also a very good student, graduating fourth in his class.

College Baseball Career

Posey played college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles. As a freshman in 2006, he played shortstop and started every game. He had a .346 batting average.

For his sophomore year, Posey moved to the catcher position. He quickly became one of the best catchers in college baseball. In 2008, as a junior, he had an incredible season. He hit .463 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs. He won the ACC Baseball Player of the Year and the Johnny Bench Award.

He also won the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award. These are two of the biggest awards for college baseball players. During college summers, Posey played for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox and helped them win championships.

Professional Baseball Career

Starting in the Minors (2008-2009)

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim drafted Posey in 2005, but he chose to go to college instead. In the 2008 MLB draft, the San Francisco Giants picked him as the fifth player overall. The Giants gave him a $6.2 million signing bonus, which was the largest in their history at the time.

Before the 2009 season, Baseball America ranked him as the second-best young player in the Giants' system. He played for the San Jose Giants (Class A Advanced) and the Fresno Grizzlies (Triple-A). He hit very well in both minor league teams.

Major League Debut (2009)

Posey was called up to the MLB for the first time on September 2, 2009. He made his debut on September 11, 2009. He got his first major league hit on September 19. In his first year, he only played a few games.

Rookie of the Year (2010)

Posey catching in 2010

Posey started the 2010 season in the minor leagues again. But he was called up to the Giants on May 29, 2010. He started playing mostly at first base. He hit his first career home run on June 9.

When the Giants traded their starting catcher, Posey became the team's main catcher on June 30. He hit his first career grand slam on July 7. He had an amazing 21-game hitting streak in July. During this streak, he batted .440. He won the NL Player of the Month and NL Rookie of the Month awards for July.

On October 3, Posey hit a home run that helped the Giants win their division. In 108 games, he batted .305 with 18 home runs and 67 RBIs. Posey was named the NL Rookie of the Year. He was the sixth Giant to win this award.

In the playoffs, Posey helped the Giants win the 2010 World Series. He caught every inning of the playoffs. This was his first World Series championship.

Injury and Comeback (2011-2012)

On May 25, 2011, Posey was hurt in a collision at home plate. He broke a bone in his leg and tore ligaments in his ankle. This injury ended his season. The collision was so serious that MLB later made a new rule, often called the "Buster Posey Rule," to protect catchers at home plate.

Posey returned in 2012 and had an incredible comeback season. He was the catcher for Matt Cain's perfect game on June 13, 2012. He said he was "as nervous as I've ever been on a baseball field" during that game. He played in his first All-Star Game in July.

Posey finished the 2012 season with a .336 batting average. He became the first catcher since 1942 to lead the National League in hitting. He also won the NL MVP award. In the playoffs, he hit a grand slam in a key game against the Reds. The Giants went on to sweep the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, giving Posey his second championship.

Posey and his wife, Kristen, at the 2012 World Series Parade

After the season, Posey won the Silver Slugger Award and the Hank Aaron Award. He was also named the NL Comeback Player of the Year.

Third World Series Title (2013-2014)

In 2013, Posey signed a huge eight-year contract with the Giants. On July 13, 2013, Posey caught Tim Lincecum's first no-hitter game. He also played in his second All-Star Game. He finished the season with a .294 batting average and 15 home runs.

In 2014, Posey caught Tim Lincecum's second no-hitter. On July 13, Posey and pitcher Madison Bumgarner both hit grand slams in the same game. This was the first time in MLB history that a catcher and a pitcher hit grand slams in the same game.

Posey had a great 2014 season, batting .311 with 22 home runs. The Giants won the 2014 World Series, beating the Kansas City Royals. This was Posey's third World Series championship in just five years.

Continued Success (2015-2019)

In 2015, Posey caught rookie Chris Heston's no-hitter. This was the third no-hitter Posey caught in his career. He also hit two grand slams in June. He was selected to his third All-Star Game. In September, he hit his 100th career home run.

Posey won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award and his second Silver Slugger Award in 2015. He finished the year with a .318 batting average.

Posey at the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

In 2016, Posey was chosen to start at catcher in the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, his fourth All-Star selection. On September 27, he got his 1,000th career hit. He finished the season with a .288 batting average and 14 home runs. He also won his first Gold Glove Award for being the best defensive catcher.

In 2017, Posey was hit in the helmet by a pitch and had to miss some games. He still had a great season, batting .320, and was named the starting catcher for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game, his third straight All-Star start.

In 2018, Posey was named to the 2018 MLB All-Star Game again, but he couldn't play because of a hip injury. He had surgery and missed the rest of the season. In 2019, he batted .257.

Final Season and Retirement (2020-2021)

Posey batting with the Giants during spring training in 2020

Posey chose not to play in the short 2020 season. This was because of the COVID-19 pandemic and his family, as he and his wife were adopting twin girls.

In 2021, Posey returned to the Giants. He became the longest-playing member of the team. In his first swing back, he hit a home run. He also became the first player in Giants history to catch 1,000 games. He was an NL All Star for the seventh time.

In his final season, he batted .304, which was the highest batting average for any catcher in their last season. He also won his fifth Silver Slugger Award and his second NL Comeback Player of the Year award.

Posey announced his retirement from baseball on November 4, 2021. He was one of only a few Giants players to spend their entire career with the team.

Accomplishments and Honors

Posey with the Giants outside of the White House being honored by President Barack Obama during a ceremony honoring the team's 2012 World Series championship

Posey with the Giants inside the White House being honored by President Barack Obama during a ceremony honoring the team's 2014 World Series championship

The Giants have not given his number 28 jersey to another player.

Life After Playing Baseball

On September 21, 2022, the Giants announced that Posey had joined the team's ownership group. This means he became one of the owners of the San Francisco Giants. He also joined their board of directors.

On September 30, 2024, the Giants announced that Posey would become their new president of baseball operations. This is a very important leadership role where he helps make big decisions for the team.

Personal Life

Posey married his high school sweetheart, Kristen Powell, in 2009. They have two sets of twins. Their first set of twins (a son and a daughter) were born in 2011. They adopted twin girls in 2020.

Posey and his family lived in the San Francisco Bay Area during his baseball career. After he retired, they moved back to their home state of Georgia to be closer to family. However, they later decided to move back to the Bay Area. Posey is a Methodist Christian. His younger sister, Samantha, played college softball.

Helping Others

BP28 Foundation

In 2016, Buster and his wife Kristen started the BP28 Foundation. This foundation helps children who are battling cancer. It also raises money for research and treatment to fight pediatric cancer. They work with the V Foundation to support this important cause.

In 2019, Posey received the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. This award is given to a Major League Baseball player who shows great character and integrity, both on and off the field.

Images for kids

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  Posey batting in 2010