Giants catcher Buster Posey adresses the crowd during a commercial on the field at AT&T Park as the Giants held their annual media day Friday. (Scot Tucker/SFBay)
From fresh-faced country boy with a funny name, to leathery legend chiseled into Giants history, Buster Posey shared his ascent into baseball lore with San Francisco fans thirsting for the game’s ultimate prize after five decades of futility.
Posey officially retired from baseball Thursday, awaiting only the formal vote to validate a Hall of Fame career behind and at the plate.
Since 2011, SFBay photojournalists have captured Posey in action at Oracle Park. From SFBay director of photography Scot Tucker, and photographers Godofredo Vasquez, Ali Thanawalla, Ching Wong, Aleah Fajardo and Brian Churchwell, SFBay presents “Buster Posey: A career in photos.”
After a gruesome ankle injury in 2011, Buster Posey played in 148 games in 2012. (Ali Thanawalla/SFBay)
(Ali Thanawalla/SFBay)
Giants catcher Buster Posey waves to fans during the Giants World Series parade down Market Street. (Evan Mew/SFBay)
Giants catcher Buster Posey speaks to the media as players and coaches opened up their 2013 campaign last week at Giants Fan Fest. (Scot Tucker/SFBay)
Buster Posey poses with his 2012 Most Valuable Player award as Willie Mays looks on during a pre-game ceremony on the field at AT&T Park. (Ryan Leong/SFBay)
Giants catcher Buster Posey adresses the crowd during a commercial on the field at AT&T Park as the Giants held their annual media day Friday. (Scot Tucker/SFBay)
Giants catcher Buster Posey will lead four of his teammates into the 2015 MLB All-Star Game in Cincinnati, including starter Madison Bumgarner, second baseman Joe Panik and shortstop Brandon Crawford.more
Giants catcher Buster Posey looks to the dugout while waiting for Giants manager Bruce Bochy (not pictured). (Ali Thanawalla/SFBay)
Giants catcher Buster Posey inspects a ball for a scuff mark. (Ali Thanawalla/SFBay)
Nearly no-hit Sunday afternoon, Buster Posey and the Giants suffered their first four-game sweep ever at AT&T Park. (Ali Thanawalla/SFBay)
Giants catcher Buster Posey puts on his shinguards prior to the game against the Reds on Sunday, June 29, 2014.
The frustration of the Giants' recent losing streak showed Thursday as the normally compliant Buster Posey barks after a fifth-inning strikeout. (Godofredo Vasquez/SFBay)
Giants catcher Buster Posey congratulates starter Madison Bumgarner on his complete and nearly-perfect game at AT&T Park Tuesday night.
Giants catcher Buster Posey celebrates his game-winning, walk-off home run in the ninth inning of San Francisco's 4-2 win Wednesday night in his typically understated style.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits an RBI single in the third inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.more
Giants catcher Buster Posey swipes too late as Mariners shortstop Brad Miller scores in the fifth inning of Seattle's 5-1 win over San Francisco Monday night.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) walks off the field after the ninth inning as the Seattle Mariners face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, June 15, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) is congratulated after hitting a grand slam home run in the third inningas the San Diego Padres face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 24, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) is congratulated after hitting a grand slam home run in the third inningas the San Diego Padres face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, June 24, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) waits in the on deck circle as the Seattle Mariners face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, June 16, 2015.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) checks the dugout for a sign in the second inning as the New York Mets face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 6, 2015.more
Chicago Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (13) is tagged out by San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) in the third inning as the Chicago Cubs face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday,August 25, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo (54) and catcher Buster Posey (28) celebrate the 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 27, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) takes the field before the San Diego Padres face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, September 11, 2015.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) prepares for the game as the San Diego Padres face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, September 11, 2015.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) takes the field as the Cincinnati Reds face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) tags out Cincinnati Reds left fielder Skip Schumaker (55) in the seventh inning as the Cincinnati Reds face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, September 15, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey speaks with the media as the San Francisco Giants hold media day at AT&T Park in San Francisco Friday.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) loses the bat on a swinging strike in the first inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, April 9, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) walks on the infield after grounding into a double play in the third inning as the Miami Marlins face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, April 24, 2015.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) has a conversation with home plate umpire Chad Fairchild after a Rendon home run in the third inning as the Washington Nationals face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, July 30, 2016.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) looks into the dugout for a sign as the Washington Nationals face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, July 30, 2016.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) throws out Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zack Greinke (21) attempting to advance on a fielders choice bunt by Bourn in the fifth inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, August 30, 2016.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) doubles in the first inning as the San Diego Padres face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, September 13, 2016.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) speaks to the media as the San Francisco Giants hold media day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, February 10, 2017.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) advances on a Posey fly out in the fifth inning as the St. Louis Cardinals face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, September 15, 2016.more
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo (54) celebrates with Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) after the Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2016. (Brian Churchwell/SFBay)more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) is hit by a pitch in the first inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks face the San Francisco Giants on opening day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 10, 2017.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) congratulates third baseman Christian Arroyo (22) after a home run as the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) talks with umpire Ron Kulpa (46) in the fifth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, July 25, 2017.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits a solo home run in the 17th inning to beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, May 12, 2017.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) hits a solo home run in the 17th inning to beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, May 12, 2017.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) takes the field as the Colorado Rockies face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, September 19, 2017.
San Francisco Giants first baseman Buster Posey (28) prepares to bat in the seventh inning as the Colorado Rockies face the San Francisco Giants at the AT&T Park on Wednesday September 20, 2017. Giants won 4-0.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) and San Francisco Giants relief pitcher George Kontos (70) bump fists before the game as the San Diego Padres face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, July 20, 2017.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) looks for a sign in the second inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, July 24, 2017.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) tweaks his body tagging out Williams as the Philadelphia Phillies face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, August 20, 2017.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) speaks to fans after the 5-4 victory over the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, October 1, 2017.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) reacts after Pittsburgh Pirates score a three-run home run in the fourth inning as the Pittsburgh Pirates face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Saturday, Aug 11, 2018.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) straps on his gear before the Miami Marlins face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, June 18, 2018.
San Francisco Giants first baseman Buster Posey (28) scores on a hit by Panik in the second inning as the Miami Marlins face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, June 18, 2018.more
San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain (18) San Francisco Giants first baseman Pablo Sandoval (48) and San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) walk back to the dugout after pregame workouts before their game against the San Diego Padres at AT&T Park on Saturday, September 30, 2017.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) reacts to a comment made by Jackson in the third inning as the Oakland Athletics face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, July 13, 2018.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey speaks to reporters during Giants media day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, February 8, 2019.
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) speaks with the media as the San Francisco Giants hold media day at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, February 9, 2018.
Catcher Buster Posey signs a ball for a fan in the kids only autograph line at the 2018 San Francisco Giants Fan Fest at AT&T Park, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018. (Brian Churchwell/SFBay)
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) prepares for the game as the Miami Marlins face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, September 13, 2019. (Scot Tucker/ SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) prepares for the game as the Miami Marlins face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, September 13, 2019. (Scot Tucker/ SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants first baseman Buster Posey (28) and former Giants relief pitcher Brian Wilson shake hands after he threw out a ceremonial first pitch as the Seattle Mariners face the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday, April 3, 2018.more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) and San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Will Smith (13) celebrate a 10-5 victory over the Oakland Athletics at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Saturday, August 24, 2019. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey (28) and relief pitcher Tyler Rogers (71) walk off the field after the eighth inning as the Miami Marlins face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Friday, September 13, 2019. (Scot Tucker/ SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) hits into a double play in the first inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA., on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) speaks with San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (62) on the mound as the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants in game 5 of the NLDS at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) tags out Los Angeles Dodgers' Luke Riley (37) in the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA., on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) singles in the first inning as the Arizona Diamondbacks face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA., on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) doubles in the first inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants in game 5 of the NLDS at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA., on Thursday, October 14, 2021. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) congratulates San Francisco Giants' Jarlin Garcia (66) after a 7-2 victory as the Arizona Diamondbacks face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA., on Wednesday, August 11, 2021. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) forces out San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) in the fifth inning as the San Francisco Giants take on the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA., on Friday, April 9, 2021. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) connects for a two-run home run in the third inning as the San Diego Padres take on the San at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA., on Friday, May 7, 2021. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
San Francisco Giants' Buster Posey (28) celebrates after a score in the eighth inning as the Los Angeles Dodgers face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA., on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. (Scot Tucker / SFBay.ca)more
SFBay photos by Scot Tucker, Godofredo Vasquez, Ali Thanawalla, Ching Wong, Aleah Fajardo, Brian Churchwell