After 17 long seasons filled with ups and downs, Jorge Posada finally hangs it up. Surrounded by his wife and children, with five World Series trophies sitting on a table to his right, the five-time All-Star catcher retired at age 40 on Tuesday after 17 major league seasons with the Yankees. Fellow Yankees teammates Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and CC Sabathia were in the crowd watching their good friend say his tearful goodbye, and many wondered who would be the next to go.

Posada joins Bernie Williams and Andy Pettitte in retirement, leaving only the 37-year-old Jeter and 42-year-old Rivera from the core group that led the Yankees to four World Series titles in five years from 1996-2000. Jorge was often credited as the glue that held the team together, and was a vital piece in what became known as the Core Four. No one knows who the Yankees will bring in to replace such a player, but with this organization anything is possible.

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Signed, Isidori Mtabo