With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training this week, Giants catcher Buster Posey made his return to the field for the first time in eight months after his season-ending home plate collision with the Florida Marlins’ Scott Cousins on May 25, 2011. I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Buster to check in on his rehab and ask other assorted random questions.How’s the rehab going with your left leg after last year’s season-ending collision with the Marlins’ Scott Cousins? How do you feel about where you are at this point?
I’m really happy with how everything is going. Throughout the process, we’ve had goals. We’ve met some of them and exceeded others. It’s feeling more and more like my normal ankle all the time.
Are you confident about making a full recovery?
There are certain things I haven’t done yet with it. All along there has been some caution with everything I’ve done. I’ll do something and it’s okay, so I’ll get a little more aggressive the next time. It’s all been part of the process.
Will you be ready for the first Spring Training game on March 3?
I’d like to. It’s not 100 percent that I will, but it’s a possibility.
What were some of the peaks and valleys while going through this rehab?
Recently, my ankle has felt pretty consistent, which I’ve been happy about. But back in October and November, I’d go out and jog and feel great. And then the next day, it felt worse. That was the challenge – you think you feel like you take a step forward, but then you have to go back a little bit. I’m just trying to stay as positive as I can.
As you continue to recover, is it helpful to have a former catcher as a manager (Bruce Bochy) who can understand what you’re going through?
I think so. Boch understands the toll the position takes on you.
OTHER RANDOM QUESTIONS:
How did you get the name Buster?
My father and grandfather are also named Gerald. I think the way the story goes is that my dad’s grandmother called him Buster when he was little. My parents liked it, so they started calling me that when I was born. My dad now goes by “Demp” because his middle name is Dempsey. But I think Buster is going to stay with me.
How old were you when you started playing baseball?
I started playing organized ball when I was five years old.
What positions did you play before you became a catcher?
Shortstop and pitcher.
What were your favorite subjects in school?
I was a math and science guy.
Who was your favorite player when you were a kid?
I grew up a Braves fan, so I liked the pitchers – (Greg) Maddux, (John) Smoltz, (Tom) Glavine. I liked Chipper (Jones), too.
You were a pitcher when you were drafted out of high school by the Los Angeles Angels in 2005. How has that helped you defensively in terms of managing the game?
I pitched my whole life through college and all the way up until I signed with the Giants. It helps knowing a little about what (the pitchers) are going through. But I can’t say that I know everything these guys are going through. It’s a different world than college baseball.
Did you know that you would be heading in a different direction than pitching?
Not necessarily. I wanted to hit at the next level. I enjoyed pitching, but I enjoyed hitting more. It was (Florida State University assistant baseball coach Mike Martin Jr.’s) idea to try me at catcher. But you have to buy into it to make it work. Surprisingly, I was receptive to it, so I just went with it. I never thought I would catch. I used to look at those guys and think, “What are they doing? They’re getting beat up back there.”
What’s your pre-game routine?
It depends. It’s not necessarily the same everyday. Some days, I’ll talk to the starting pitcher. Other days, I’ll talk to the pitching coach. Just relax and try to be prepared for the line-up we’re going to face and for the pitcher that we’re going to face.
