History of Buster Posey in Timeline

Buster Posey is a retired American professional baseball catcher who played his entire 12-year MLB career with the San Francisco Giants (2009-2021). Known for his exceptional skill and leadership, he is currently the president of baseball operations for the Giants, marking a continued commitment to the organization.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1942: Ernie Lombardi Lead in Hitting

In 1942, Ernie Lombardi of the Boston Braves was the last catcher to lead the NL in hitting, a feat Buster Posey replicated in 2012.

1947: Rookie Starting Pitcher-Catcher Tandem

In Game 4 of the World Series, Posey and Bumgarner became the first rookie starting pitcher-catcher tandem in a World Series since Yogi Berra caught Spec Shea in Game 1 of the 1947 World Series.

1958: Jim Davenport's first season

Jim Davenport's first season was in 1958.

July 2, 1963: Willie Mays 16th-inning Home Run

On July 2, 1963, Willie Mays hit a 16th-inning home run.

1969: Start of MLB's Divisional Play Era

The MLB divisional play era started in 1969.

1970: Jim Davenport's Last Season

Jim Davenport's last season was in 1970.

1982: Scott Garrelts First Season

Scott Garrelts first season was in 1982.

1986: Robby Thompson's First Season

Robby Thompson's first season was in 1986.

March 27, 1987: Buster Posey Born

On March 27, 1987, Gerald Dempsey "Buster" Posey III was born. He would later become a professional baseball catcher and president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants.

Others born on this day/year

1991: Scott Garrelts Last Season

Scott Garrelts last season was in 1991.

1992: Giants Immaculate Inning

In 1992, Trevor Wilson accomplished the feat for the Giants.

1995: Division Series Standard

In the NLDS, the Giants became the second NL team to win a Division Series after being down two games to none and the first since the LDS became a permanent standard in the playoffs in 1995.

1996: Robby Thompson's Last Season

Robby Thompson's last season was in 1996.

2002: Barry Bonds lead in hitting

In 2002, Barry Bonds was the first San Francisco Giant to win the batting title.

2004: Barry Bonds lead in hitting

In 2004, Barry Bonds was the second San Francisco Giant to win the batting title.

2005: Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels

In 2005, Buster Posey was drafted in the 50th round of the MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels but chose to attend college instead.

2005: Matt Cain's First Season

Matt Cain's first season was in 2005.

2006: Freshman Season at Florida State

In 2006, Buster Posey played shortstop as a freshman at Florida State University, starting all 65 games and being named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American.

2006: Cape Cod League Championship

In 2006, Buster Posey started at shortstop for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, winning the Cape Cod Baseball League championship.

2007: Second Cape Cod League Championship

In 2007, Buster Posey started at catcher for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, winning another Cape Cod Baseball League championship.

2008: Awards and Accolades

In 2008, Buster Posey had a remarkable junior year, hitting .463 with 26 home runs and 93 RBI, winning the ACC Baseball Player of the Year, Johnny Bench Award, and Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year award.

2008: Drafted by the San Francisco Giants

In 2008, Buster Posey was drafted by the San Francisco Giants with the fifth overall pick.

2008: Awards at Florida State University

In 2008, Buster Posey won the Golden Spikes Award and the Brooks Wallace Award while attending Florida State University.

2008: Giants Drafted Posey

In 2008, the Giants selected Buster Posey with the fifth overall pick in the first round of the MLB draft.

January 10, 2009: Married Kristen Powell

On January 10, 2009, Buster Posey married his high school sweetheart, Kristen Powell.

September 2, 2009: Called Up to MLB

On September 2, 2009, Buster Posey was called up to MLB for the first time due to an injury to the Giants' starting catcher.

September 11, 2009: MLB Debut

On September 11, 2009, Buster Posey made his Major League Baseball debut.

2009: MLB Career Start

In 2009, Buster Posey began his 12-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the San Francisco Giants.

2009: Signed with Giants

In 2009, Buster Posey signed with the San Francisco Giants and was invited to spring training.

May 29, 2010: Major League Call Up

On May 29, 2010, Buster Posey was called up to the major leagues and started at first base against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2010: Top Prospect

Coming into 2010, Baseball America ranked Buster Posey as the top prospect in the Giants' organization.

2010: Player of the Week

In 2010, Buster Posey earned the NL Player of the Week honors for the week of July 5-11.

2010: Rookie of the Year Award

In 2010, Buster Posey was named the NL Rookie of the Year and also received the NL Players Choice Awards Outstanding Rookie.

2010: World Series Win and Rookie of the Year

In 2010, Posey caught every inning of the playoffs as the Giants won the World Series. He was also named the NL Rookie of the Year.

2010: First Player of the week since 2010

On July 1, 2013, Posey was named National League Player of the Week for the week of June 23–29. It was the second time Posey earned the award during his career, and the first since 2010.

April 6, 2011: Season Highs

On April 6, 2011, Posey set season highs with three hits and four RBI, including a two-run home run.

2011: Birth of Twins

In 2011, Buster and Kristen Posey had twins (a son and a daughter).

2011: Injury and Rule Change

In 2011, Posey suffered a severe injury in a collision at home plate, leading to MLB adopting rule 7.13 regarding blocking the plate, known as the "Buster Posey Rule".

June 13, 2012: Caught Perfect Game

On June 13, 2012, Buster Posey started at catcher during Matt Cain's perfect game, the 22nd in major league history.

2012: NL Batting Title

In 2012, Buster Posey led both leagues in batting with a .336 average, becoming the first catcher to lead the NL in hitting since 1942.

2012: All-Star Game with Cain

In 2012, Buster Posey started and caught for teammate Matt Cain in the Midsummer Classic.

2012: MVP and Second World Series

In 2012, Posey returned from injury, caught Matt Cain's perfect game, won the NL batting title with a .336 average, was voted the NL MVP, and won his second World Series.

2012: MVP Season

In 2013, Buster Posey's offense regressed from the 2012 MVP season, especially in the second half of the season, though he maintained a .294 batting average, 15 home runs and 72 runs batted in.

July 1, 2013: National League Player of the Week

On July 1, 2013, Buster Posey was named National League Player of the Week for the week of June 23-29.

July 13, 2013: Caught Tim Lincecum's No-Hitter

On July 13, 2013, Buster Posey caught Tim Lincecum's first no-hitter against the San Diego Padres.

July 16, 2013: All-Star Game Appearance

On July 16, 2013, Buster Posey played in his second straight All-Star Game.

2013: Contract Extension

In 2013, Buster Posey signed an eight-year contract extension worth $167 million with the Giants.

2013: Offensive Regression

In 2013, Buster Posey's offense regressed, especially in the second half of the season, though he maintained a .294 batting average, 15 home runs and 72 runs batted in.

June 25, 2014: Caught Final Out of Lincecum's No-Hitter

On June 25, 2014, Buster Posey, playing first base, caught the final out of Tim Lincecum's second career no-hitter in a 4-0 win over the San Diego Padres.

July 13, 2014: Hit Grand Slams with Bumgarner

On July 13, 2014, Buster Posey and Madison Bumgarner both hit grand slams against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This marked the first time they both homered in the same game and the first time in MLB history a catcher and pitcher hit grand slams in the same game.

August 29, 2014: Five-Hit Game

On August 29, 2014, Buster Posey went 5-for-5 in 6 innings during a 13-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. He became the only catcher in Giants franchise history to have two career five-hit games.

2014: Giants Win World Series

In 2014, Buster Posey finished the season with a .311 batting average, 22 home runs, and 89 RBIs. The Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals in seven games in the 2014 World Series, giving Posey his third championship in five years. He became the second player in Major League history after Pete Rose to win the Rookie of the Year, a League MVP, and three World Series championships.

2014: Third World Series Win

In 2014, Posey won his third World Series as the Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals.

May 2015: Caught Immaculate Inning

In May 2015, Buster Posey caught Santiago Casilla's immaculate inning save against the Cincinnati Reds, marking the first time the Giants struck out all three opposing batters in an inning on nine pitches since 1992.

June 9, 2015: Caught Heston's No-Hitter

On June 9, 2015, Buster Posey caught rookie Chris Heston's no-hitter against the New York Mets at Citi Field, including the final out. This was the third no-hitter during which Posey played catcher and his fourth overall.

June 19, 2015: Grand Slam and Stolen Base

On June 19, 2015, Buster Posey hit a grand slam and stole a base in a 9-5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the first Giants catcher in 112 years to achieve this feat.

July 5, 2015: All-Star Selection

On July 5, 2015, Buster Posey was selected to his third career All-Star Game and led the voting for NL catchers.

September 6, 2015: 100th Career Home Run

On September 6, 2015, Buster Posey hit his 100th career home run in a 7-4 win over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

November 11, 2015: Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award

On November 11, 2015, Buster Posey was named the winner of the 2015 Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award, given to the best defensive catcher in MLB.

2016: Last Silver Slugger before 2021

2016 was the last time Buster Posey won the Silver Slugger award before winning it again in 2021.

2016: Won First Gold Glove Award

Buster Posey finished the 2016 season with a .288 batting average, 14 home runs, and 80 RBIs. He also won his first Gold Glove Award, receiving recognition for his advanced defensive metrics.

2016: Started BP28 Foundation

In 2016, Buster Posey and his wife Kristen started the BP28 Foundation, focusing on helping pediatric cancer patients and raising funds for research and treatment.

2016: Selected for MLB All Star Game

In 2016, Buster Posey was selected by fan voting to start at catcher in the MLB All Star Game, Posey's fourth career MLB All-Star Game, the most all-time by a Giants catcher in franchise history.

2017: Hit by Pitch, Placed on Concussion List

During San Francisco's 2017 home opener, Buster Posey was hit in the helmet by a 94 mph pitch and placed on the seven-day concussion disabled list the next day.

2017: Named All-Star Starter

In 2017, Buster Posey, with a league-leading .339 batting average, was named starting catcher for the MLB All-Star Game for the third consecutive time. He ended the season batting .320/.400/.462.

2017: Matt Cain's Last Season

Matt Cain's last season was in 2017.

2018: Season-Ending Hip Surgery

In 2018, Buster Posey was named to the MLB All-Star Game but didn't participate due to a hip injury. On August 25, it was announced that he would have season-ending hip surgery.

2019: Posey's last season

Buster Posey's previous season was in 2019.

2019: Lou Gehrig Memorial Award

In 2019, Buster Posey was named the recipient of the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award.

2019: Buster Posey Award

In 2019, the Johnny Bench Award was renamed the Buster Posey Award, honoring college baseball's top NCAA Division I catcher.

2020: Opted Out of Season

Buster Posey opted out of playing in the shortened 2020 season due to the ongoing adoption of premature twin girls and the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Adopted Twin Girls

In 2020, Buster and Kristen Posey adopted twin girls.

November 4, 2021: Retirement Announcement

Buster Posey announced his retirement from baseball on November 4, 2021, becoming one of the few players to spend his entire career with the Giants.

2021: Retirement from MLB

At the conclusion of the 2021 season, Buster Posey retired from his 12-year MLB career with the San Francisco Giants.

2021: Final Season Stats

During the 2021 regular season, Buster Posey batted .304/.390/.499, with an .889 OPS. His .304 batting average is the highest ever by a catcher in their final season. On defense, he caught 31.1% of attempted base-stealers, 4th-best in the NL.

2021: Contract Through the 2021 Season

In 2013, Buster Posey signed a contract through the 2021 season with a club option for 2022.

2021: 1,000 Games as Catcher

In 2021, Buster Posey hit a home run on his first swing since 2019. He became the first player in franchise history to catch 1,000 games for the Giants and was named an NL All-Star for the 7th time.

2021: Received Silver Slugger and Comeback Player of the Year Awards

In 2021, Buster Posey received the NL Silver Slugger award at catcher, his fifth overall and his first since 2016, along with his second NL Comeback Player of the Year award.

2021: Record-Breaking Season

In 2021, during his final season, Buster Posey led the Giants to a franchise-record 107 wins.

September 2022: Joins Giants Ownership Group

In September 2022, Buster Posey joined the San Francisco Giants' ownership group, transitioning into a new phase of his career with the team.

September 21, 2022: Joined Giants Ownership Group

On September 21, 2022, Buster Posey joined the 30-member ownership group of the Giants and served on its board of directors.

2022: Club Option for 2022

In 2013, Buster Posey signed a contract through the 2021 season with a club option for 2022.

September 4, 2024: Chapman Contract Finalized

On September 4, 2024, third baseman Matt Chapman finalized a six-year, $151 million contract with the Giants, with Posey active in getting the deal done.