Jorge doubles down

There is nothing sadder than the star sports figure who won’t retire. You end up watching George Foreman get pummeled and Brett Favre benched. You watch Joe Paterno’s life-long reputation burst into flames. You watch the player you loved become the player you hate seeing. God, it's awful.

It’s like a drunken party guest who won’t leave, or a lame duck president who gets nothing done. May God grant us all the dignity to walk out in style — and not be carted away in a cascade of boos.

.
Recently, Jorge Posada retired from baseball, taking with him his good name, his grace, and the memory of a solid post-season, albeit in a losing cause. He left against his wishes, basically because a kid named Jesus Montero had sucked the air out of the Yankee DH and back-up catching roles Jorge otherwise would have filled.
.
Well, we all know what happened last week. Montero is gone. But now, we’ve learned a little more about the wisdom and self-respect of Jorge Posada. He says his decision stands. He’s done. It’s over. He has made peace with his next life — which we hope will remain with the Yankees. He made a smart decision. Great performers understand the value of an exit line. (Hello, Jason Varitek?) Nobody plays forever.
.
Sad to see Jorge go. God, we’ll miss him. But nobody has to worry about Jorge's reputation. He left on his terms. It doesn’t get much better than that.