This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/2/2012
Young Giants catcher Buster Posey is poised to become one of the all-time greats. His 2012 season was one that baseball fans won't soon forget, as he secured the NL Most Valuable Player Award, NL Comeback Player of the Year Award, NL Hank Aaron Award, a Silver Slugger Award, and was a member of the All-Star team who also topped the NL in batting average.
The seeds of Posey's remarkable comeback were planted on May 25, 2011, the fateful San Francisco evening when the Giants hosted the rival Florida Marlins. The Giants overcame a four-run deficit in the ninth to send the game into extra innings. In the twelfth, Marlins batter Emilio Bonifacio hit a shallow sacrifice fly to right field that sent base runner Scott Cousins charging home. Giants right fielder Nate Schierholtz rifled the ball to Posey, who was in position to guard home plate. In what would become one of the most talked-about moments in Giants history, a dramatic collision ensued between Cousins and Posey, with Cousins scoring the winning run for the Marlins. The result of the collision was not a good one for Buster, as he would miss the remainder of the 2011 season with a fractured fibula and three torn ligaments in his left ankle.
After months of painful healing and rehab, baseball fans were thrilled to see Posey back in the Giants' starting lineup against the Diamondbacks on Opening Day 2012. The young backstop would go two for four at the plate that day, and never look back as he proceeded to have one of the best offensive seasons in modern history for a catcher.
These shinguards are consistent with the style worn during the May 25th, 2011 game. The available images show consistencies between the offered items and available images. Note the unique scratches and gouges found on the upper kneeling pads.
Manufactured by Under Armour, this custom "Transformer" style of shinguard was first worn by Posey in 2011, and a similar pair would be used again in 2012. Featuring unique diamond-shaped patterns with orange inlay, Buster's number "28" is also custom-embroidered on the lower outside of each. These guards are complete as worn, including all buckles, straps, inner pads and both knee wedges, which are used to support the upper thighs while in the kneeling position.
This lot has been secured directly from an employee of the San Francisco Giants. Posey has signed both shinguards with a silver paint pen, but the signatures have worn off considerably because of the slick nature of the black plastic on which they were signed. (Z0401)