KANSAS CITY--After having what would have been an All-Star season cut short with a devastating ankle injury in 2011, Buster Posey will appear in his first ever MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday. His .289 batting average and 43 RBI this season were enough to solidify a position as the National League starting catcher.
At this time last year Posey couldn't even walk. So for him to be back at the major league level as one of the Giants' offensive leaders and to be starting the MLB All-Star Game is "definitely special" Posey said Monday.
Comcast SportsNet caught up with the Giants All-Star catcher as he reflected on coming back from injury and the opportunity to play with some of the best in the game.
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On catching Matt Cain in the All-Star Game
It will be really special. We found out about it yesterday and we were both fired up. And Cain's a fun guy to catch, so I'm looking forward to it.
VIDEO: Cain on throwing to Posey -- 'Hopefully we can get into a groove'
On the prospect of catching R.A. Dickey
I've never caught a knuckle ball guy, so I'm sure it'll be a little bit of a challenge but I think it's something we'll probably discuss today and get straight. If I do, if there's a chance I'll talk to Dickey and maybe talk to him and pick his brain a little bit and go from there.
San Francisco Giants
On the excitement of his first All-Star Game appearance
I don't think so. I don't think I've soaked it in. I've mentioned before how I was just excited to be back on the field. It's a whirlwind. I'm humbled to be here with the best players in the game and I'm just looking forward to it.
It's a cool experience to be around this caliber of players and I'm going to enjoy it.
On what makes Matt Cain so special
He understands how he wants to get guys out. He's able to make adjustments in-game from pitch to pitch, he's able to execute. On top of that, he's got good enough stuff that if he makes a mistake sometimes he can get away with it. He's a competitor so it's fun to work with a guy that competes like he does.
On having the support of Giants fans
I think for us getting to play there, we see what kind of fan base we have. I haven't played anywhere in my short career that can compare to that ball park as far as the fans coming out and the intensity they have each day and each night. I can't thank them enough; fans around the country. I especially want to thank our fans in San Francisco. Hopefully we can make them proud.
VIDEO: Melky -- 'I'm happy to represent the Giants and our fans'
On facing Justin Verlander
Yeah it's absolutely exciting. I think he's one of the best arms in the game and you're always excited about an opportunity to compete against the best.
On the added gratification of overcoming injury to make the All-Star Team
I think it would be gratifying either way, but it's definitely special. I was anxious to be back and competing at the major league level. This is kind of icing on the cake. It's sometimes kind of hard to believe that I'm here sometimes.
On the added incentive of home field advantage in the World Series
I think it can definitely make a difference. Regardless of whether it counted or not, I feel like you'd get the same intensity out of the guys here, because I think we're all competitors and we want to do well and we want to--like I mentioned before, it's fun to compete against the best.
VIDEO: Sandoval -- 'Giants fans are better than New York fans'
So there is obviously some weight on the game, but even if that weight wasn't on the game I don't know if it would make a difference in intensity the way the guy played to game.
On growing up as a Chipper Jones fan in Georgia
I was. I grew up in south Georgia so I watched the Braves a lot. I've watched them for a long time now, so I'm excited to get to see him. Growing up watching him I wouldn't think that I would have the opportunity to play with him and it speaks to the longevity he's had in his career.