Laura Posada says Jorge only wants to be a Yankee

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At the center of the chaos that erupted in the Bronx on Saturday night, after Jorge Posada asked out the Yankees lineup, was a tweet sent by Posada's wife Laura, who wrote that her 39-year-old husband loves playing for the Yankees and only asked out of the lineup "due to back stiffness."

For the catcher turned designated hitter (he's batting just .179 this season), the reasons for the out-of-character decision turned out to have more to do with the team's plan to bat him at the end of the lineup. He also reportedly said he wanted off the team during a tirade directed at manager Joe Girardi. The five-time All-Star apologized to Girardi on Sunday.

During an interview with amNewYork on Wednesday, Laura offered her version of the weekend's events, and said her husband is interested in taking over domestic duties from her soon. The Miami-based mother of two, who also has a law degree and TV career, is partnering with Oxiclean and its nationwide “Brighten Up Your Ball Game” contest for a $10,000 donation to a local youth baseball or softball organization.

What's the temperature of this whole episode right now, a few days later?

I think that things are certainly going back to normal. It was a tough situation. I think it was, you know, Jorge was feeling a little frustrated with his performance this year. You know, a person that has been used to being a champion, playing well — for him to have an average so low is certainly something that was frustrating him. It was a day when everything just became too much for him. And he decided to take a break. The next day, when he thought about it, he decided the best decision for him was to apologize and move forward. And when came out Sunday at the game, to receive a standing ovation from the fans was just amazing. It brought tears to my eyes to see that, to see how much they love and appreciate him.

So it sounds like it was just a bad day at work?

It was a bad day, yeah, a bad day. It was a series of unfortunate events that has hopefully ended. [Laughs.]

Do you discuss what's going to happen after Jorge's contract is up this winter?

We do talk about the future. He says that now it's my turn to go work and he's going to stay home with the kids. So I said, 'OK, now you're going to see what real work is.' [Laughs.]

Does that mean that he might retire after this year?

I honestly don't see Jorge playing anywhere else than with the New York Yankees. I think he's had a nice career. I can't speak for him, and I can't predict the future, but right now he needs to concentrate on having a good year, raising that average and moving forward.

Do you have experience playing the game?

I played softball all throughout high school. I was a pitcher. That was actually how I met my husband, because he came to one of my games as the substitute umpire ... when I was 16, 17 years old. Then I went away to college to go to undergrad and law school and he went away to play baseball. And we saw each other 10 years later, in Puerto Rico again.

Did you remember him?

I didn't remember him, but he remembered me. And he lent me a glove for the game because I had forgotten my glove. And then when the game ended, he says he asked me for my number. And I said, 'No. thank you.' [Laughs.]

Which do you prefer to watch — baseball or softball?

To be honest, I'm really not the kind of person who likes to watch sports. I like to play. I don't like to just sit there. I've learned to understand the professional baseball game and I enjoy watching it a little bit more, but I like more the action of playing.

Are you practicing as a lawyer?

Not right now. I have too many things going on and it would take away too much time from my family. But I do help Jorge when he has contracts or things that I need to look over. I do help him out.

What is your relationship like with the other Yankee spouses?

We have a really good team. There's a lot of new people so I haven;t had a chance to meet everybody yet, But the girls that have been there before are all great. We do sometimes have events where we'll see each other. But I'm in Miami most of the time, some people live in New Jersey, some people live in Westchester — and we always hang out at the game, obviously. But we have a good group of wives.

Obviously you're a model and a stunning woman. How do you maintain your figure?

I think it's no secret. If you want to be in shape, you have to exercise and you have to eat healthy. I hate all these diets that come out and tell you, 'In two weeks, you're going to lose 20 pounds.' And then they have you eating 400 calories and drinking pills so that you don't eat. I hate that. There's no secret. Eat healthy and exercise and you'll be fine.

How much exercise?

I try to exercise an hour like five times a week. But in the beginning, when you're trying to reach your goal, you might have to work a little bit extra. But once you reach your goal and you're at the weight where you want to be, then it's mostly maintenance, and you don't have to kill yourself every time you work out. And I also suggest keeping it fun. Like, try different activities. Don't always do the same thing — because then it's going to be boring and it's going to become work instead of a workout that you actually enjoy.

What's family life like?

I have an 11-year-old boy, Jorge, and Paulina, who is 8. ... I love my kids. When I was growing up and when I finished law school and all that stuff, I never thought I wanted kids and I never thought I wanted to get married. And now, at this stage of my life, I couldn't imagine my life without them. They're a joy and they make me laugh and I don't want them to grow up! I want them to stay little so they never want to leave me. [Laughs.]

Is Jorge a good dad?

Jorge is a great dad. When he's home in the offseason, he wakes up in the morning and he takes them to school. And he says he's going to be a stay-home dad when stops playing baseball, so we'll see.

It's the Subway Series this weekend — you're a big Yankees fan, right?

What do you think, Max? [Laughs.]

I had to ask because I'm a Mets fan.

Oh, you are? You know that they tried to sign Jorge, right?

Oh yeah, four years ago.

They were taking to Jorge's agent and they wanted to give him five years, if I remember correctly. ... And I think it was like $17 million more.

But his loyalty won out?

Mmm-hmm. Loyalty. He couldn't picture himself in another uniform.

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