PEANUTS AND CRACKER JACK

The "Core Four" - L to R - Jorge Posada, Mariano Riviera,
Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte

If the rumors are correct, it is expected be announced within the next few weeks that Jorge Posada will announce his retirement, after 17 years with the New York Yankees. The 5-time All-Star Catcher and owner of 5 World Series rings, had said he would consider offers from other teams, but eventually decided his legacy as a career Yankee was more important.

Very nice.

His departure leaves only Derek Jeter and Mariano Riviera (whom I couldn't careless for - I lost $100 due to his poor pitching back in the 2001 World Series - and yes, he's still dead to me) as the last two of the Core Four, a nickname given to Posada, Jeter, Riviera, and Pettitte (who retired last year), because they had played together in the minor leagues and were all signed by the Yankees organization back in 1995.

Eligible for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in five years, I have little doubt he'll get in on the first vote.