Posada's a hero on and off the field

Last week, Yankees catcher Jorge Posada had a busy and successful week on and off the field. The 38-year-old catcher has been very productive at bat in the last month. In the 24 games prior to Friday, Posada was batting a healthy .322. During that recent interval he had driven in 28 runs and scored 15. Posada hit a pinch hit home run eighth inning during Wednesday's 4-2 victory over Tampa. It was especially exciting for Posada as it was the contest during which Derek Jeter, Posada's closest friend on the team, tied the Yankees career hit mark, most recently Lou Gehrig.

On the following night, Posada, his wife Laura, and their two children were at the Sheraton Hotel in Manhattan hosting the eighth annual Jorge Posada Foundation Gala. The theme of this year's “Heroes 4Hope Gala” was a salute to Yankee catchers. Joining Posada were Hall of Famer Yogi Berra, Yankee manager Joe Girardi, Mike Stanley, Rick Cerone, Berra's backup Charlie Silvera and the widows of Elston Howard and Thurnan Munson. Several of Posada's teammates on the 2009 Yankees also attended the dinner.

Posada expressed his gratitude for the support his teammates have given him. "They have been there for me the whole time, all through the years asking about my son and offering to help,” he said. “Even on a day off, they come here. I can't thank them enough."

The foundation began eight years ago, after the birth of the Posadas' son Jorge Jr. Several days after being born, the boy was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis, a birth defect that results in the formation of an abnormally shaped skull. The youngster had already undergone eight operations.

At the gala, Mrs. Posada disclosed, "It's been really hard. He's probably going to have one more operation when he's older."

Posada's wife spoke happily of her only son's improvement, "He's doing great. He's in the fourth grade. Just to have him running around and being a little boy and not worrying about surgeries is just an amazing feeling after being through so much in the past. He's the joy of my life and my daughter [Paulina age 6)."

The foundation has several purposes to aid the children afflicted with Craniosynostosis and their families. The substantial monies raised by the evening's gala will go to a variety of organizations: The Children's Craniofacial Association, the Children's Hospital at Montefiore in the Bronx and the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction. In addition to doing research and better informing the public, the organizations provide funds and support to individual families.

Laura Posada expressed her empathy and understanding for other families going through the same difficult experience that hers has and how that has motivated her, "I know what it's like to have a son with Craniossynostosis. It's a labor of love. I feel like I'm not doing enough. I can't imagine parents who don't have the money."

Posted By: Howard Goldin

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Posada's a hero on and off the field