Was Buster Posey's 1,500th MLB hit his last? Giants' catcher slammed Reds in 2012 NLDS

Dave Clark, Cincinnati Enquirer

November 4, 2021 at 6:38 PM·3 min read

San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) reacts after hitting a three-run double in the ninth inning during a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. The San Francisco Giants won, 4-0.

The 2012 National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants brings back painful memories for Cincinnati Reds fans.

The Reds squandered a 2-0 series lead they had established by winning the first two games in San Francisco. The Giants won Games 3 and 4 in Cincinnati to force a deciding Game 5. Posey's grand slam in the top of the 5th in Cincinnati off of Reds starter Mat Latos capped a six-run inning for the Giants in a 6-4 win. The Reds were eliminated, and the Giants went on to win the World Series against the Detroit Tigers - one of three championships for seven-time All-Star Posey.

Posey announced his retirement Thursday from Major League Baseball at age 34 after 12 MLB seasons during a press conference at Oracle Park.

Posey's damage against the Reds wasn't limited to the 2012 postseason. A .298 hitter in 234 career plate appearances against the Reds, he was 28-for-80 (a .350 average) over the past five seasons against Cincinnati.

Posey had an outstanding 2021 season - hitting .304 with 18 homers and 56 RBIs and being selected for his seventh All-Star Game - after opting out of the 2020 season during the COVID-19 pandemic. He collected his 1,500th career hit in his final game of the season - an 11-4 win against the San Diego Padres on Oct. 3.

Social media reactions:

Among the many reasons I'll miss covering Buster Posey: He made me better at my job. Ask a cliché question and he'd be quick with a cliché answer. But give him something thoughtful to chew on and there's a good chance he'd consider it and offer a thoughtful response.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) November 4, 2021

Buster Posey’s grand slam against the Reds in game 5 of the 2012 NLDS

pic.twitter.com/TbNshX6q0r
— Alex👋 (@dbs408) November 3, 2021

Matt Cain said he didn't shake Buster Posey off once during their perfect game.

“That’s what makes him special, is he never got phased.” pic.twitter.com/NAyqWGDe1i
— KNBR (@KNBR) November 4, 2021

Buster Posey is a hall of fame player. We don’t need to debate it.
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) November 3, 2021

Buster Posey after Game 5 when asked about his future: "I'm definitely just going to take some time with my wife, talk to her, and I'll be able to be a full-time dad of four kids for the first time in a while. Yeah, just kind of take it slowly and see how things progress."
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) November 3, 2021

If 2021 proves to be Buster Posey's final season, he'd be 1 of 6 players in the divisional era (since 1969) to hit .300 or better in his final MLB season, along with David Ortiz, Will Clark, Kirby Puckett, Lou Brock and Roberto Clemente. pic.twitter.com/bfuUXYRxSO
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 3, 2021

The final home run of Buster Posey's career was a memorable one: pic.twitter.com/EVUKdiX73l
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) November 3, 2021

Buster Posey's career accomplishments:

▫️ 7× All-Star
▫️ 3× WS Champ
▫️ 2012 NL MVP
▫️ 2010 NL ROY
▫️ 2016 Gold Glove
▫️ 4× Silver Slugger
▫️ 2012 NL Batting Champ
▫️ .302 Career BA pic.twitter.com/gpvxdgzD4d
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 3, 2021

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Buster Posey retires after 12 seasons with Giants, '12 slam vs. Reds

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