Jorge Posada's No. 20 retired by Yanks

NEW YORK -- There's one more plaque in Monument Park and one fewer number available in the New York Yankees' uniform closet now that Jorge Posada has had his day.

Posada, the starting catcher for four Yankees championship teams, had his No. 20 retired -- the 19th Yankee uniform number so honored -- and unveiled the plaque commemorating his 17 seasons in pinstripes before Saturday's game between the Yankees and the Cleveland Indians.

In a ceremony attended by owner Hal Steinbrenner, former teammates Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams and Tino Martinez -- and a less than full house at Yankee Stadium -- Posada spoke, emotionally at times, for eight minutes about his Yankees career and its effect on his life and family.

"That's not loud enough guys, come on!" Posada joked as he took the podium, and despite the wide swatches of empty seats, his ovation was raucous. Throughout Posada's career, fans often expressed their appreciation for his intensity and work ethic.

"I have never been nervous on a baseball field,'' he said. "I am today. I am simply a man who was born passionate about the baseball and the New York Yankees. I can honestly tell you this is one of the happiest days of my life.''

Posada also threw out a ceremonial first pitch to his 15-year-old son, Jorge Jr. For the game, the Yankees wore a shoulder patch bearing Posada's likeness and his number.