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Tag Archives: Posey
What to know about late ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’ star Kailia Posey: ‘She will be remembered for her sweet spirit’
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Editor’s note: This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
“Toddlers and Tiaras” star Kailia Posey died tragically at the age of 16, her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, announced on Facebook Monday.
“I don’t have words or any thoughts,” she wrote. “A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.”
The family issued another statement confirming Posey’s cause of death, stating: “Although she was an accomplished teenager with a bright future ahead of her, unfortunately in one impetuous moment, she made the rash decision to end her earthly life.
“We are completely shattered as a family and left with more questions than answers,” the statement continued. “We ask for privacy as we attempt to find ways to cope with the senseless loss of our beautiful girl.”
“Toddlers and Tiaras” star Kailia Posey tragically died at the age of 16, her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, announced on Facebook Monday.
(Facebook/Marcey Posey Gatterman)
‘TODDLERS AND TIARAS’ STAR KAILIA POSEY DEAD AT 16, FAMILY SAYS
Here are a few things to know about the late pageant star.
Posey made her pageant debut as a toddler
Posey got her start on “Toddlers and Tiaras,” the same TLC show that launched the career of Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson.
Posey made her debut in 2012 at 5 years old on an episode titled “California Tropic Arizona.”
The TLC show ran for seven seasons and ended in 2016. The show followed families as their young children competed in beauty pageants.
During her time on the show, Posey was captured smiling eccentrically for the confessional camera, which was memorialized in a viral meme that has been shared over the past decade. In the family’s statement on Tuesday, her family called Posey the “grinning girl,” referencing the popular GIF.
In 2016, Posey’s mother shared in an episode of “Toddlers and Tiaras” that her daughter began pageants when she was 3 years old.
“She’s a pro when she hits that stage,” Posey Gatterman said of her daughter. “She’ll say she’s nervous, but once she hits that stage, she’s a pro.”
‘TODDLERS AND TIARAS’ STAR KAILIA POSEY, 16, DIED BY SUICIDE: REPORT
Continuing her pageant dreams
Posey continued to participate in pageants following her time on the show. She documented her life as a pageant star on her Instagram, which has over 37,000 followers.
Posey’s most recent competition was in February at Miss Teen Washington, where she placed second runner-up. She was also awarded the Miss Photogenic award, which was chosen by the public.
“One word. Thankful,” Posey shared to Instagram with images from the pageant.
The family noted in its statement that Posey has “won countless crowns & trophies after competing on the pageant circuit her entire life.”
‘Highly acclaimed talent as a contortionist’
Aside from her time competing in pageants, Posey spent her time practicing contortion. Her mother began training her when she was just 3 months old.
The young star had a separate Instagram account, dedicated solely to her contortionist hobby.
Four days ago, Posey shared her first post to her second Instagram account. A video showed the teen practicing her skills, and her comment section was full of praise.
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She often included contortion in her pageants, as she documented on Instagram. Posey shared an image of herself performing during a pageant in Little Rock, Arkansas, in April 2021.
“I had a great time this week thank you to everyone who cheered me on,” Posey captioned her post.
Posey’s family statement noted that her “highly acclaimed talent as a contortionist had already led to professional touring job offers.”
Branching out into acting
Although Posey doesn’t have a long track record in acting, she did make her debut in 2018.
The teen played the character “Agnes” in Netflix’s horror movie “Eli,” which premiered in 2019.
‘Aviation enthusiast’
According to her family’s statement, the late teen also had a “longtime” passion for aviation.
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Her “dream was to continue in the entertainment industry while pursuing her commercial pilot license,” the statement said.
“Our hope is that she will be remembered for her sweet spirit and the way she touched so many lives in a positive way,” the family’s statement concluded,
The family has also set up a Whatcom Community Foundation fund in Posey’s name with all contributions going to “providing resources to help students in crisis.”
Fox News’ Lorraine Taylor contributed to this report.
Kailia Posey, ‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ Child Star, Died by Suicide, Her Family Says
Kailia Posey, the child pageant star of Toddlers & Tiaras, died by suicide, her family has said.
On Monday, it was reported that Posey, who turned 16 last month, had been found dead in a car at a Birch Bay State Park, in Washington state, but no cause of death was given.
On Tuesday, Posey’s deeply religious family told TMZ that she had taken her own life, saying in a statement, “Although she was an accomplished teenager with a bright future ahead of her, unfortunately in one impetuous moment, she made the rash decision to end her earthly life.”
The family added, “She won countless crowns & trophies after competing on the pageant circuit her entire life… Her highly acclaimed talent as a contortionist had already led to professional touring job offers, and she had recently been selected to be a cheerleader at her high school next fall.”
The family have now set up the Kailia Posey Teen Crisis Intervention Fund, which will aim to get “much needed resources to students in crisis.”
In pictures posted on Facebook over the weekend, Posey, the breakout star of the TLC series on child beauty pageants, which ran from 2009 to 2013, thanks in part to her cheeky grin, was smiling and apparently happy with her friends as she attended her high-school prom.
Just last week her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, also posted that she had been selected for her school cheerleading team, Lynden High School in Washington. Her mother wrote that the family were “screaming around this house” after receiving the news.
Washington State Police confirmed to DailyMail.com that authorities were investigating a juvenile death at Birch Bay State Park, in Blaine.
Friends and fans of Posey have been recalling memories online and offering condolences to the family.
“Can’t even believe this has happened. I’m praying for you guys to get through this. She always was so kind to all of us. Rest In Peace,” America’s Got Talent magician Kadan Rockett wrote on Instagram.
If you or a loved one are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741
‘Toddlers & Tiaras’ star Kailia Posey died by suicide: report
“Toddlers & Tiaras” star Kailia Posey reportedly died by suicide.
Posey’s family revealed the tragic cause of death in a Tuesday statement to TMZ – a day after news broke the 16-year-old had died.
“Although she was an accomplished teenager with a bright future ahead of her, unfortunately in one impetuous moment, she made the rash decision to end her earthly life,” the family told the outlet.
Posey’s mom, Marcy Posey Gatterman, initially shared the heartbreaking news of the teen’s death in a Monday night Facebook post.
“I don’t have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone,” she wrote. “Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.”
Gatterman had posted photos of Posey attending prom just a few days prior to her death.
Posey was a young star on the TLC reality series, which ran from 2009 to 2013 and featured families who prepared their children to compete in beauty pageants. She became a popular GIF when her evil grin went viral.
In January, Posey announced on Instagram that she was gearing up to compete as Miss Washington Teen USA in February.
Kailia Posey, ‘grinning girl’ in popular GIF, dead by suicide at 16
Kailia Posey, whose appearance on a reality TV show at the age of five made her one of the most recognizable faces on the internet, died by suicide at a park in Washington state, her family says. She was 16 years old.
Kailia’s body was found on early Monday afternoon at Birch Bay State Park in Washington state, just a few miles from the Canadian border. The exact cause of her death was not immediately released, but her family confirmed on late Tuesday that she died by suicide.
“Although she was an accomplished teenager with a bright future ahead of her, unfortunately in one impetuous moment, she made the rash decision to end her earthly life,” her family said, according to TMZ.
Her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, wrote in a post on Facebook: “I don’t have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone. Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever.”
Kailia appeared on the TLC show “Toddlers & Tiaras” in 2012, when she was just 5 years old. A scene from one of the episodes – in which she grins – became one of the most popular GIFs on the internet. It remains popular and is still frequently used.
“Toddlers & Tiaras” was a controversial TV show which followed the world of child beauty pageants. Most recently, Kailia took part in the Miss Teen USA pageant in Washington state, where she finished as the second runner-up.
If you or someone you know needs help, call the U.S. Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, a free and 24/7 service to provide suicidal persons or those around them with support, information and local resources. If you’re in the UK, call the Samaritans at 116123.
Kailia Posey, who became a popular GIF from her appearance on the reality TV show “Toddlers & Tiaras,” has died unexpectedly at age 16, her mom says pic.twitter.com/BVtBmUrQob
— BNO News (@BNONews) May 3, 2022
Toddlers and Tiara star Kailia Posey, 16, died by suicide, her mother says
Kailia Posey, 16, the child star who appeared on reality show Toddlers and Tiaras, took her own life, her family said Tuesday.
‘I don’t have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone,’ Posey’s mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, posted to Facebook, confirming her daughter’s death.
Later, Gatterman told TMZ in a statement that her daughter ‘made the rash decision to end her earthly life.’
Posey’s family has set up Kailia Posey Teen Crisis Intervention Fund with the goal of getting ‘much needed resources to students in crisis.’
Her body was found Monday inside a car at a park in Washington state, authorities confirmed to DailyMail.com.
Birch Bay State Park, where Posey was first discovered by authorities, is a 194-acre state park located along the Strait of Georgia shoreline, about nine miles from the Canadian border, and features a scenic rocky beach and large camping ground.
Posey had just celebrated her 16th birthday on April 19 and attended her high school prom over the weekend.
Kailia Posey, who as a child starred on the reality show Toddlers and Tiaras, has died at age 16 in a reported car accident
Her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, confirmed her daughter’s death on Facebook late Monday night
Posey starred on Toddlers and Tiaras, a TLC series following the families of children who competed in beauty pageants. The show ran from 2009 to 2013
Posey became a popular meme after she was caught grinning from ear-to-ear during a segment on the reality show Toddlers and Tiaras in 2012
Washington State Police confirmed to DailyMail.com that authorities were investigating a juvenile death at Birch Bay State Park, in Blaine
Birch Bay is a 194-acre state park located along the Strait of Georgia shoreline, about nine miles from the Canadian border, and features a scenic rocky beach and large camping ground
As a child, Posey starred on Toddlers and Tiaras, a TLC series following the families of kids who competed in beauty pageants. The reality show ran for seven seasons from 2009 to 2013.
Posey began competing in pageants when she was three years old. She became a popular meme after she was caught grinning from ear-to-ear during a segment on Toddlers and Tiaras.
She kept up with the pageant circuit throughout childhood and adolescence, having most recently competed for the Miss Washington Teen USA title in February.
Although she was not crowned winner of February’s competition, Posey earned the title of Miss Lynden Teen USA last year.
Posey recently attended prom with her friends. Social media posts indicate the dance may have taken place over the weekend. Posey is pictured in her prom dress
Posey shared this photo to her Instagram feed on April 23. She was traveling on a cruise. It was the last picture Posey posted to the platform before her tragic passing
She performed contortion with Cirque du Soleil and was seemingly passionate about the art form, having launched a specific Instagram account dedicated to it.
She also played the role of Agnes in the 2018 Netflix film Eli.
Posey was a freshmen student at Lynden High School in Washington, the district confirmed to DailyMail.com. According to her Miss Washington Teen biography, she was named to the Dean’s List during the 2020-21 school year.
Her mother announced last week that Posey had earned a spot on the high school’s football cheerleading team for the upcoming season.
After high school, the teen planned to study aviation in college and become a commercial pilot.
Posey is pictured at the Ultimate Dream Queen Nationals competition in April 2021
Kailia Posey is pictured with her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, in an undated photo
Gatterman is pictured with Posey, then 10, during contortionist training. The mother began training Posey as a contortionist from the time she was three months old
Page Six reported Tuesday that Posey was possibly killed in a car accident in Las Vegas. However, the Clark County Coroner told DailyMail.com they had no record of her in their system.
The medical examiner in Whatcom County, Washington, where Posey attends high school, declined to comment on her passing.
While details surrounding her death are unclear, social media confirms that Posey commemorated two monumental events in the days leading up to her death.
The teen celebrated her Sweet 16 on April 19. In a gallery post on Instagram, she shared photos from the party which seemingly took place in Washington state.
Her family and best friends were reportedly in attendance.
Although Posey didn’t offer details about her birthday festivities, she hashtagged several words – including dinner, car and Washington – hinting at what the celebration may have entailed.
Gatterman, on Saturday, posted photos from Posey’s prom night, which seemingly had some wardrobe hiccups.
‘Well the dress didn’t come in and the earrings didn’t. So we found a dress ASAP. We make it work,’ Gatterman wrote on Facebook. ‘Prom 2022 for Kailia and friends.’
The high schoolers posed for pics inside someone’s home and near the 5th & Alley storefront, which is touted on Instagram as a Lynden-based retailer specializing in boho and retro inspired pieces.
Posey celebrated her Sweet 16 on April 19 in Washington state. Her family and best friends were reportedly in attendance for the festivities
Posey is pictured on her 16th birthday with a friend
Gatterman, on Saturday, posted photos from Posey’s prom night, which seemingly had some wardrobe hiccups
‘Well the dress didn’t come in and the earrings didn’t. So we found a dress ASAP. We make it work,’ Gatterman wrote on Facebook. ‘Prom 2022 for Kailia and friends’
Posey is pictured with the girls in her prom group
On April 23, the teen made what ended up being her final Instagram post, in which she revealed she was on a cruise.
She captioned the pic, which showed herself on the ship sporting a red crop top and skirt, ‘none of your concern’ and included the following hashtags: #fun #friends #mylove #cruise.
Last month, Posey posted a photo of herself doing a backflip off a cliff in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
‘Peace, love, respect- Jamaica,’ the teen captioned the pic of the dangerous stunt and included #daredevil in the post.
While many of her followers applauded the teen for her risky stunt, her pageant coach Cambrie Littlefield issued a warning to the teen.
‘This photo stresses me out, be careful lol,’ Littlefield wrote. Posey replied with a devil emoji.
Littlefield’s most recent Instagram post, published April 8, also featured a picture of her holding a young Posey. She is wearing a shirt that reads ‘Kailia’s coach’.
‘Happy Pageant Day from me and my not so little anymore princesses!!’ the coach captioned the pic.
Littlefield has not yet made a public statement about Posey’s death, but did update her Facebook profile picture on Tuesday in tribute to the teen.
Last month, Posey posted a photo of herself doing a backflip off a cliff in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. While many of her followers applauded the teen for her risky stunt, her pageant coach Cambrie Littlefield issued a warning to the teen to ‘be careful’
Littlefield’s most recent Instagram post, published April 8, also featured a picture of her holding a young Posey. She is wearing a shirt that reads ‘Kailia’s coach’
Toddlers and Tiaras star Kailia Posey is pictured with her mom, Marcy Posey Gatterman, in an undated photo from her childhood
Posey’s loved ones and fans have taken to social media to share their heartbreak and condolences in wake of the teen’s passing.
‘Can’t even believe this has happened. I’m praying for you guys to get through this. She always was so kind to all of us. Rest In Peace,’ America’s Got Talent magician Kadan Rockett wrote on her most recent Instagram post.
‘Thank you for being someone to look up to Kailia,’ commented Mariah Derby-Wine, a fellow pageant competitor. ‘Rest in peace.’
‘Sending prayers to your family,’ said Kennedi Johnston, who performed on NBC’s World of Dance.
‘There are really no words at this time that can make this easier. Our sweet pageant baby gone too soon. 16 years just wasn’t enough,’ pageant make-up artist Natasha Shunta Winn wrote in a Facebook tribute post.
‘To know Kailia Deliz Posey was to love her. Soo beautiful and sweet. Our pageant circle has been broken. You will be greatly missed.’
Posey’s loved ones and fans have taken to social media to share their heartbreak and condolences in wake of the teen’s passing
‘I don’t have the words right now.. I will always remember our talks about Christ and the way you loved so deeply. My favorite memory of you was right before we went on the stage for the production number at Dixieland this past year. I was looking for you and you said, ‘Hold on! I’m reading my devotional. God comes first,” Brooke Wilson shared online.
‘I told your momma just recently that you were one of the most beautiful kids on the inside and out. I meant it then and I mean it now. Your last message to me was telling me that you loved me. I’ll keep it forever. You will be greatly missed.’
‘My heart is shattered and I’m still trying to process this news but we will always remember you and miss you. You inspired me in so many ways,’ echoed Lisa White. ‘Rest In Peace Kailia Posey.’
‘Our hearts are completely broken,’ penned Kelly Costner Patterson. ‘Kailia Deliz Posey was such a bright light in everyones life! We are so glad we had the opportunity to know her and love her.
‘You will forever be missed. Sending prayers and love to you Marcy Posey Gatterman and Cambrie!’
Toddler and Tiaras star Kailia Posey, 16, dies ‘in car accident’ days after attending prom
Kailia Posey, who as a child starred on the reality show Toddlers and Tiaras, has died at age 16 following a reported car accident.
‘I don’t have words or any thoughts. A beautiful baby girl is gone,’ Posey’s mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, posted to Facebook late Monday night, confirming her daughter’s death.
‘Please give us privacy as we mourn the loss of Kailia. My baby forever,’ the grieving mother added, sharing a photo of Posey in her prom dress. Social media suggests she attended the high school dance over the weekend.
Details surrounding Posey’s death have not been disclosed, but Page Six reported she was possibly killed in a car accident in Las Vegas. However, the Clark County Coroner told DailyMail.com they had no record of Posey in their system.
The medical examiner in Whatcom County, Washington, where Posey attends high school, declined to comment on her passing.
Kailia Posey, who as a child starred on the reality show Toddlers and Tiaras, has died at age 16 in a reported car accident
Her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, confirmed her daughter’s death on Facebook late Monday night
Posey starred on Toddlers and Tiaras, a TLC series following the families of children who competed in beauty pageants. The show ran from 2009 to 2013
Posey starred on Toddlers and Tiaras, a TLC series following the families of children who competed in beauty pageants. The show ran from 2009 to 2013.
She became a popular meme after she was caught grinning from ear-to-ear during a segment on the reality show.
She kept up with the pageant circuit throughout childhood and adolescence, having most recently competed for the Miss Washington Teen USA title in February.
Although she was not crowned winner of February’s competition, Posey earned the title of Miss Lynden Teen USA last year.
Posey recently attended prom with her friends. Social media posts indicate the dance may have taken place over the weekend. Posey is pictured in her prom dress
Posey shared this photo to her Instagram feed on April 23. It was the last picture she posted to the platform before her tragic passing
Posey became a popular meme after she was caught grinning from ear-to-ear during a segment on the reality show Toddlers and Tiaras in 2012
She performed contortion with Cirque du Soleil and was seemingly passionate about the art form, having launched a specific Instagram account dedicated to it.
She also played the role of Agnes in the 2018 Netflix film Eli, according to her Miss Washington Teen biography.
Posey attended Lynden High School in Washington and was named to the Dean’s List as a freshmen during the 2020-21 school year.
Her mother announced last week that Posey had earned a spot on the high school’s football cheerleading team for the upcoming season.
After high school, the teen planned to study aviation in college and become a commercial pilot.
Posey is pictured at the Ultimate Dream Queen Nationals competition in April 2021
Kailia Posey is pictured with her mother, Marcy Posey Gatterman, in an undated photo
Gatterman is pictured with Posey, then 10, during contortionist training. The mother began training Posey as a contortionist from the time she was three months old
Last month, Posey posted a photo of herself doing a backflip off a cliff in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
‘Peace, love, respect- Jamaica,’ the teen captioned the pic of the dangerous stunt and included #daredevil in the post.
While many of her followers applauded the teen for her risky stunt, her pageant coach Cambrie Littlefield issued a warning to the teen.
‘This photo stresses me out, be careful lol,’ Littlefield wrote. Posey replied with a devil emoji.
Littlefield’s most recent Instagram post, published April 8, also featured a picture of her holding a young Posey. She is wearing a shirt that reads ‘Kailia’s coach’.
‘Happy Pageant Day from me and my not so little anymore princesses!!’ the coach captioned the pic.
Littlefield has not yet made a public statement about Posey’s death, but did update her Facebook profile picture on Tuesday in tribute to the teen.
Last month, Posey posted a photo of herself doing a backflip off a cliff in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. While many of her followers applauded the teen for her risky stunt, her pageant coach Cambrie Littlefield issued a warning to the teen to ‘be careful’
Littlefield’s most recent Instagram post, published April 8, also featured a picture of her holding a young Posey. She is wearing a shirt that reads ‘Kailia’s coach’
Toddlers and Tiaras star Kailia Posey is pictured with her mom, Marcy Posey Gatterman, in an undated photo from her childhood
Posey’s loved ones and fans have taken to social media to share their heartbreak and condolences in wake of the teen’s passing.
‘Can’t even believe this has happened. I’m praying for you guys to get through this. She always was so kind to all of us. Rest In Peace,’ Dark Skies actor Kadan Rockett wrote on her most recent Instagram post.
‘Thank you for being someone to look up to Kailia,’ commented Mariah Derby-Wine, a fellow pageant competitor. ‘Rest in peace.’
‘Sending prayers to your family,’ said Kennedi Johnston, who performed on NBC’s World of Dance.
‘There are really no words at this time that can make this easier. Our sweet pageant baby gone too soon. 16 years just wasn’t enough,’ pageant make-up artist Natasha Shunta Winn wrote in a Facebook tribute post.
‘To know Kailia Deliz Posey was to love her. Soo beautiful and sweet. Our pageant circle has been broken. You will be greatly missed.’
Posey’s loved ones and fans have taken to social media to share their heartbreak and condolences in wake of the teen’s passing
‘I don’t have the words right now.. I will always remember our talks about Christ and the way you loved so deeply. My favorite memory of you was right before we went on the stage for the production number at Dixieland this past year. I was looking for you and you said, “Hold on! I’m reading my devotional. God comes first,”’ Brooke Wilson shared online.
‘I told your momma just recently that you were one of the most beautiful kids on the inside and out. I meant it then and I mean it now. Your last message to me was telling me that you loved me. I’ll keep it forever. You will be greatly missed.’
‘My heart is shattered and I’m still trying to process this news but we will always remember you and miss you. You inspired me in so many ways,’ echoed Lisa White. ‘Rest In Peace Kailia Posey.’
‘Our hearts are completely broken,’ penned Kelly Costner Patterson. ‘Kailia Deliz Posey was such a bright light in everyones life! We are so glad we had the opportunity to know her and love her.
‘You will forever be missed. Sending prayers and love to you Marcy Posey Gatterman and Cambrie!’
Buster Posey To Announce Retirement
After 12 Major League seasons, Buster Posey is calling it a career. The longtime Giants catcher will announce his retirement tomorrow, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly reports (Twitter link).
Going into the offseason, the only question surrounding Posey seemed to be whether the Giants would simply exercise their $22MM club option on the catcher for next season, or if the two sides would work out a longer-term extension. Posey hit .304/.390/.499 with 18 home runs in 454 plate appearances in 2021, rebounding to prime form after opting out of the 2020 season, and struggling through a 2019 season in the aftermath of hip surgery.
That was the first of three championship rings for Posey, as he became the face of this era of Giants baseball. Posey’s long list of achievements includes the 2012 NL MVP Award, seven All-Star selections, four Silver Slugger Awards, and a Gold Glove in 2016. He retires with 158 home runs and a career slash line of .302/.372/.460 over 5607 plate appearances, and is likely heading for a Hall Of Fame induction in five years’ time.
While Posey’s outstanding 2021 numbers leaves the impression that he has plenty left in the tank, it shouldn’t be ignored that at this time last year, a retirement following the 2021 campaign seemed quite plausible, or even likely. The hip surgery was the latest in a series of notable injuries for Posey throughout his career, including leg and ankle injuries suffered in a collision with Scott Cousins in 2011 (the impetus for MLB changing its rules about baserunners can make contact with catchers while trying to score). Most troubling, Posey also suffered multiple concussions over the course of his 12 years, and there was long speculation that the Giants would eventually move him over to a semi-permanent first base role.
Posey is only 34 years old, but with all of his accumulated wear-and-tear, it could be that he simply preferred to leave on the high note of a great personal season and the Giants’ 107-win campaign. Posey and his wife are also the parents of four children, including adopted twin girls born prematurely last summer (which Posey said factored into his decision to opt out of the 2020 season). There is certainly nothing left to prove for Posey, and he can now enjoy a well-deserved retirement and more time with his family.
While Posey’s role in Giants history can’t truly be replaced, the team hopes it already has a worthy heir apparent in Joey Bart, the second overall pick of the 2018 draft. Posey’s return to form created some questions about how exactly San Francisco would juggle playing time behind the plate, yet now the catching situation looks like it will consist of Bart and incumbent veteran Curt Casali. The Giants could quite possibly target another veteran to compete with Casali in Spring Training and provide more backing in case Bart (who has played in only 35 Major League games) needs more time to get acclimated.
San Francisco also now has at least $22MM in extra payroll space next season, not that the team didn’t already have plenty of spending capacity. The Giants’ surprising 107-win year has left the game well ahead of schedule in their rebuild, and the focus will squarely be on contending for another World Series title in 2022. While truly big expenditures haven’t been part of the strategy thus far for president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, he will have every avenue open to him this winter, whether it be major free agent signings, big-ticket trade acquisitions, re-signing notable in-house free agents like Brandon Belt, or all of the above.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Giants’ Buster Posey hits game-tying RBI double off Madison Bumgarner
SAN FRANCISCO — It took Buster Posey a few innings, but he finally got some bragging rights on longtime Giants teammate and close friend Madison Bumgarner.
In his third career plate appearance against Bumgarner, Posey roped an RBI double down the left field line to tie Thursday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 4-4 in the fifth. Austin Slater raced all the way around from first to give Posey a two-RBI night in his first matchup against Bumgarner. He hit a sacrifice fly earlier in the game.
Bumgarner has faced the Giants three times since leaving for the Arizona Diamondbacks, but Posey opted out of the 2020 season and missed last season’s matchup, and he wasn’t in the lineup when the Giants visited Chase Field in August. The Giants are pushing Posey this week, giving him three starts in a row, a rarity this season. He was 1-for-2 through five innings, having grounded out to the mound in the bottom of the first.
RELATED: Bumgarner gets lengthy ovation, tips helmet to Giants fans
Bumgarner also gave up a solo homer to Brandon Crawford, but he held on with runners in scoring position in part by handling two right-handed hitters in the heart of the lineup. With Posey on second, Evan Longoria grounded out and Kris Bryant struck out. They were a combined 0-for-6 with three strikeouts against Bumgarner.
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Giants Notes: Posey, Webb, La Stella, Sanchez, Rotation
The Giants activated right-hander Logan Webb from the 10-day injured list to start tonight’s game against the Nationals. In a corresponding move, Buster Posey was placed on the 10-day IL, retroactive to July 6, with a left thumb contusion.
Posey hasn’t played since leaving last Sunday’s game early after being struck by a foul tip. It doesn’t seem there’s huge cause for concern, as the star backstop told reporters (including Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area and Andrew Baggarly of the Athletic) he’s hopeful he’ll return when first eligible next Friday. That’d be the Giants first game coming out of the All-Star Break, and it doesn’t seem there was any chance of Posey playing during this weekend’s series with Washington. The former MVP told reporters he’s currently unable to catch or swing the bat. Of course, that’ll also rule Posey out from participating in the All-Star Game, which he’d been slated to start as the National League’s representative at catcher.
In better health news for the Giants, infielder Tommy La Stella is set to begin a minor league rehab assignment, manager Gabe Kapler told reporters (including Pavlovic). A significant hamstring strain sent La Stella to the injured list on May 4. He began a rehab assignment in late June but suffered a fracture in his right hand that halted his recovery. It’s been a disappointing season for La Stella, who has hit .235/.297/.353 over his first 75 plate appearances.
He’ll be joined on the rehab assignment by right-hander Aaron Sanchez (relayed by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle). Like La Stella, Sanchez went on the IL in early May, began a rehab assignment last month, and then had to be shut down because of an unrelated setback. Sanchez’s initial injury was biceps inflammation, but his comeback was delayed by a blister. He’s apparently ready to return to game action, as he’ll start for Low-A San Jose tomorrow night.
Getting Webb and Sanchez back should help fortify a starting rotation that has been one of the league’s best. Nevertheless, San Francisco president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi suggested the club could be in the market for external rotation help before the July 30 trade deadline (via Maria Guardado of MLB.com). With Kevin Gausman, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood, Johnny Cueto and Webb all having decent to stellar seasons, there seems to be little room on the surface for another starter, especially with Sanchez nearing a return.
That’s a group that (aside from Gausman) has traditionally had issues staying healthy, though, so it’s plenty sensible for the San Francisco front office to look to add some depth. At 54-32, the Giants are up a game on the Dodgers and four games up on the Padres in a tightly-contested NL West. There’s plenty of logic in safeguarding against potential injuries for the stretch run.
There’s also the matter of the Giants longer-term outlook to consider. Of their current starters, only Webb is a lock to be back in 2022. Gausman, DeSclafani and Wood are all slated to hit free agency, while Cueto’s $22MM club option is likely to be bought out for $5MM. Zaidi downplayed the importance of adding a multi-year player — instead suggesting the bigger priority is simply stockpiling depth for the second half of 2021 — but the front office figures to at least explore acquisitions of potential starters who could solidify the rotation beyond this season as well.