USA Today Interviews The Posadas

Jorge Posada playing for his son

When Jorge Posada and wife Laura's first child Jorge Luis Posada Jr. ,was born Nov. 28, 1999, the couple were on top of the world. He was the catcher for the Yankees coming off two straight World Series victories; she was a successful lawyer.

Within 10 days, however, their infant son was diagnosed with the life-threatening illness skull deformation craniosynostosis, in which the sutures of the bones of the skull fuse together prematurely.

For years, the Posadas kept Jorge Jr.'s condition secret as their son underwent eight major surgeries. Finally, they decided to go public and launched the Jorge Posada Foundation.

Game On! 's Michael McCarthy spoke to the Posadas about their new book, The Beauty of Love: A Memior of Miracles, Hope and Healing.

How is Jorge Jr. doing?

Jorge Posada: "He's done real well with all the operations. But we need maybe one more. He's really upset about the scar. His friends ask him about why he has this scar and all that stuff. So he really doesn't like the scar."

Laura Posada: "He has a scar that goes from ear to ear...He was going (to have another operation) June 1. But he decided to wait. He just started school and a couple of kids asked him why he has a scar. He was a little upset because he doesn't have hair. It's hard for him from time to time. But he's good. He's normal, he's smart. He's in 5th Grade now. I can't complain. He's really good. And very mature for his age."

Will Jorge, Jr. have another operation?

Laura: "Yes, he needs to have it. He's still missing a little bone on the top left side of his forehead, on top of his left eyebrow. He's missing some bone there. But the (doctors) said it's not an emergency, so we can wait."

Does he play sports?

Jorge: "He plays a little bit of everything. Nothing that he really, really loves, but he loves sports."

Any regrets about keeping your son's condition secret for so long?

Jorge: "I think it was the best move I ever made. I really didn't want anybody to keep asking me about my son -- and me trying to concentrate on playing ball."

Laura: "Now, I do (regret it). But at the time, I didn't know how to deal with it. It was the first time in my life I couldn't take something and fix it, that I couldn't take something and make it better. You can have all the money in the world, you can have everything, you can have status, but if you're ill it's not worth anything because you can't buy health. I didn't know what to do. Maybe it was a bad decision.

Should people in your situation get help immediately?

Laura: "Yes, definitely. It's a mistake to go through it alone. But you sort of hide because you're afraid. You don't want people to start saying things about your child. You're emotional. You're angry. You're wondering why this happened to you. At the same time, you're not sleeping because you have this baby. You can't really think straight. Before you know it, time passes, and you're wearing the same clothes and you don't leave your house. It's a really, really traumatic experience.

What kind of strain did it put on your marriage?

Laura: "In the beginning, it was really hard because Jorge still had to go play baseball. I wasn't really the most fun person to be around. He decided to leave Puerto Rico early and go to Tampa for Spring Training. When he did that...I felt like (why is he leaving) when we're going through this? Then I understood, that's his job. If he doesn't work, what are we going to do? I decided I needed to stop being selfish, stop thinking about me and start thinking about our family, especially the health of my son. So we decided...we're just going to work as a team. Our goal's going to be our son's health. So that's what we did. It worked out for us."

How did your Yankees friends help?

Jorge: "I told Derek (Jeter), Tino Martinez and Joe Torre. At the time, Gerald Williams and Bernie Williams were with our team. I told them too...They came around (to the hospital after the first operation)...They were tough times...The day of the operation (Torre) let me stay with him. I didn't even go to the stadium. It was a good thing I told him. I need to be with (Jorge, Jr.). I don't think I could have played that day."

Laura: "All of them and their wives support us. Everyone asks us about little Jorge and how he's doing. It just feels really good to know that extended family in the Yankees that's there for you during good times and bad times."

What was it like being apart during your's son's medical problems?

Jorge: "For (Laura) it had to be the toughest. Being a first-time mother and going through what she had to go through. I couldn't even imagine being there, just looking at him, and being there all the time. She is really, really strong."

What do you want people to take away from this book?

Laura:"I want people to realize that no matter what situation you're in, no matter what adversity or illness, the last thing that you lose is your hope. If we survived this and my son survived this, then I feel like you can survive anything. That's the main message I want people to take away from the book."

What's next for the foundation?

Laura: "We've been working on the foundation for 10 years now. We've had many events. We've brought in a lot of money. This year, we're going to do a bowling tournament, Nov. 7, at Chelsea Piers (in New York City). It will be a great opportunity for cranial kids to come in and have a good time."

What do you think of Manny Ramirez joining Chicago White Sox?

Jorge: "He s going to be an everyday player. With the Dodgers. he didn't play every day. It's going to help them a lot. They have a great, great team. Manny's a great, great acquisition for any team."

What do the Yankees need to do to repeat as champs?

Jorge: "We have to get healthy again. We need our guys to stay healthy...We're a little banged up right now."

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