Brian McCann played the bulk and best part of his career with the Atlanta Braves, the team he was the primary Catcher for from 2006 to 2013.
McCann quickly became one of the top offensive Catchers in the National League. While he was with Atlanta, McCann went to seven All-Star Games, earned five Silver Sluggers, and had seven 20 Home Run years, all of which were atypical for a Catcher in any era. What was typical was the New York Yankees making a Free Agent offer to McCann, which he signed in 2014.
He had three more 20 HR years with New York and later joined Houston as a veteran presence, helping the Astros win the 2017 World Series. McCann finished his career in Atlanta for one year, and he retired with 1,590 Hits, 282 Home Runs, and 1,018 RBIs.
While he was beloved by many Pitchers for his ability to call a game, McCann's candidacy is hampered by a below-average defense, which lowers his overall resume, but any seven-time All-Star should receive someone's vote.
Known for his versatility, playing at Second, Short, and in the Outfield, Ben Zobrist played the bulk of his career with Tampa, a team he was twice an All-Star and had three 20-Home Run seasons with.
In terms of advanced metrics, Zobrist led the American League in bWAR on the strength of his .405 OBP and elite defensive year, though it did not get him the Gold Glove he deserved. Zobrist was eighth in MVP voting that year, his highest finish, but had similar overall numbers in the next few seasons.
Zobrist would later play for Oakland, Kansas City, and the Chicago Cubs, and though he will always be best known for his time in Tampa, he is a back-to-back World Series Champion with the Royals in 2015, and Cubs in 2016, the latter where he was the World Series MVP.
Adam Jones began his career in Seattle, but after two years, he was traded to the Orioles, where he had the best part of his career.
An Oriole from 2008 to 2018, Jones was an All-Star in 2009, and then four years straight beginning in 2012. The Centerfielder had good power numbers, belting at least 20 Home Runs seven times, with his best year coming in 2013 with 33 taters and 108 RBIs. Jones not only had power, but he was also excellent defensively, winning four Gold Gloves.
Finishing his career in 2019 with Arizona, Jones retired with 1,939 Hits and 282 Home Runs.
This was a little surprising.
One of the top Catchers of the last decade, Buster Posey, is expected to announce his retirement tomorrow.
A former fifth overall pick, Posey debited in 2009 and was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2010 and helped lead the Giants to a World Series win. Two years later, he won the MVP, and again took San Francisco to a World Series title. A seven-time All-Star and four-time Silver Slugger, Posey won a third World Series ring in 2014.
After opting out of 2020, he had a comeback year in 2021, leading fans to feel that there was plenty left in Posey’s tank, making this retirement an unexpected one.
Posey will be eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2027, and with a career bWAR of 44.9, he is lower than the average HOF Catcher, but he does have the MVP and multiple World Series Rings. He is also retiring on his own terms, and probably could have compiled the advanced metrics, as well as traditional stats that would make him a likely Hall of Famer, but as of now, he feels like an on-the-fence candidate. He also retires with a lifetime Batting Average of .302 with 1,500 Hits and 158 Home Runs.
We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Buster Posey the best in his post-playing career.