The San Francisco Giants started the 2024 season with manager Bob Melvin, but they’ll end it without the person who brought him back. On Monday, the team announced they were parting ways with Farhan Zaidi, their president of baseball operations. Taking his place is a familiar face to Bay Area fans: Buster Posey.
Posey, a beloved figure in San Francisco, played all 12 years of his MLB career with the Giants and became a local legend. During his time at Oracle Park, he racked up an impressive list of achievements: seven All-Star selections, National League MVP, NL Rookie of the Year, a Gold Glove, NL batting champion, two-time NL Comeback Player of the Year, five Silver Slugger Awards, and the NL Hank Aaron Award.
Oh, and let’s not forget—he helped the Giants win three World Series titles in just five years.
Now, Posey’s back with the team, but this time as president of baseball operations, stepping in after Zaidi’s departure. Let’s take a closer look at what Posey brings to the table in his new role.
Who is Buster Posey?
Born Gerald Dempsey Posey III in March 1987 in Leesburg, Georgia, Buster Posey grew up rooting for the Atlanta Braves. By the end of his high school career, he had already made a name for himself, earning titles like Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year and being recognized as an All-American by Baseball America.
In 2005, the Los Angeles Angels drafted Posey in the 50th round, but he opted for college instead, playing for Florida State. During his time there, he collected even more accolades, including ACC Baseball Player of the Year and Collegiate Baseball Player of the Year. He also won two Cape Cod League championships with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.
When Posey entered the draft again in 2008, the Giants picked him fifth overall. He made his MLB debut in 2009, and by 2010, he was a crucial part of the Giants’ first of three championship runs that decade. Posey’s contributions during those World Series were key, with two home runs, seven RBIs, and 14 hits across the series. He retired in 2021, at just 34 years old, after a career likely to land him in the Hall of Fame.
Farhan Zaidi’s Tenure
Farhan Zaidi took over as president of baseball operations for the Giants in 2019, but the team’s success was hit-or-miss during his time. They only made the playoffs once, in 2021, when they won the NL West. Despite signing a two-year extension last year, Zaidi’s leadership didn’t yield the results the Giants had hoped for, and the team finished near .500 for three straight seasons from 2022 to 2024.
Zaidi made several attempts to turn things around, bringing in high-profile names like Bob Melvin and Blake Snell before the 2024 season, but those moves didn’t translate into better performance on the field. Ultimately, Giants chairman Greg Johnson acknowledged that it was time for a change, stating, “While these decisions are not easy, we believe it is time for new leadership to elevate our team so we can consistently contend for championships.”
Buster Posey’s Legacy
Over the course of his 12-year career, Posey was a vital part of the Giants’ success. His rookie season in 2010 set the tone for a career that was full of highlights. Here’s a breakdown of his career stats:
- Games played: 1,371
- Plate appearances: 5,607
- Hits: 1,500
- Home runs: 158
- RBIs: 729
- Batting average: .302
- On-base percentage: .372
- Slugging percentage: .460
- OPS: .831
Posey’s new role as president of baseball operations is a full-circle moment for the former star, and fans are eager to see if he can lead the Giants to another era of success—this time from the front office.
