A New Generation of Retired Numbers
In the wake of this whole controversy over LaTroy Hawkins’ selection of Paul O’Neill’s old number, the timing is apropos for a look at which of the key figures from the more recent Yankee teams deserve to have their numbers retired.
Currently, the Yankees have 16 retired numbers, by far the most in Major League Baseball, and that number will undoubtedly increase in the coming years as players from the ’96-’00 dynasty are recognized. Honoring a former great with a retired number is a proud and glorious Yankee tradition, but care must also be taken to ensure that it is reserved for the truly deserving, lest the honor be divested of its exceptionality (as a small part of it was when Mr. May Dave Winfield’s No. 31 improbably joined the numbers of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle, Ford, et al in the ranks of the uncirculated). Unfortunately, not every fan favorite can make the cut. Tough decisions have to be made.
Locks
- #2 Derek Jeter – Duh.
- #6 Joe Torre – Despite managing chronically underachieving teams during the latter half of his Yankee career and the acrimonious way his tenure ended, 4 World Series championships, 6 American League pennants, 10 American League East crowns, and 12 straight post-season appearances speak for themselves.
- #13 Alex Rodriguez - Likely all-time home run king is arguably one of the five best to ever play the game and will have spent 14 years in pinstripes by the end of his current 10-year contract.
- #42 Mariano Rivera - Greatest closer in baseball history. Plus, #42 has already been retired league-wide by MLB because of Jackie Robinson, so the Yanks don’t even lose a number here.
Borderline
- #21 Paul O’Neill - Heart and soul of the World Series winning teams from ’96-’00. Beloved by both the fans and teammates. Earned the highest praise from Big Stein when he designated O’Neill “a warrior.” Batting champion. Five-time All-Star. Terrific fielder. Career .303 batting average as a Yankee is 11th in franchise history. Verdict: No. 21 should be retired and it will be eventually.
- #22 Roger Clemens - Possibly the greatest pitcher in baseball history is also possibly a cheat. Won 2 World Series, a Cy Young, and his 300th game as a Yankee. A Big Stein favorite. Whether his number adorns Monument Park depends on two factors: (1) the outcome of the steroid and perjury accusations, and (2) which cap he wears into the Hall of Fame. Verdict: Inconclusive.
- #51 Bernie Williams - Another beloved Yankee. Batting champion. Five-time All-Star. Four-time Gold Glove winner. Hit over .300 in 8 consecutive seasons. Career .297 hitter would have finished well-above .300 had he retired a few years earlier. All-time postseason leader in RBI and extra-base hits, second in home runs, runs, and hits. He certainly accomplished more as a Yankee than Winfield. I don’t think some of the younger and newer fans really appreciate what a great player Bernie was because they only saw him at the very end of his career when he was a shell of his former self. This was a guy who would hit .320-.340 with 25-30 HR and 100-120 RBI every year, all the while playing a Gold Glove centerfield. He was clearly the best offensive player on the four championship teams. Verdict: A worthy successor to DiMaggio and Mantle, the Yankees will rightfully retire his number.
- #46 Andy Pettitte - Yet another fan favorite. 200+ wins. 2-time All-Star. Led AL in Wins in ’96. Screwed out of ’96 Cy Young Award. 164 wins as a Yankee are 6th in franchise history. 1996 World Series Game 5. Reputation as a big game pitcher is slightly exaggerated (14-9, 3.96 career in postseason). Pettitte has had an excellent career, but he probably falls into the same “good-but-not-quite-good-enough” category as guys like Ron Guidry, Lefty Gomez, and Mel Stottlemyre. The HGH controversy doesn’t help, either. Verdict: No. 46 remains in circulation.
No Chance
- #18 Scott Brosius
- #20 Jorge Posada
- #33 David Wells
- #36 David Cone
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I agree on nearly every one of your verdicts. One thing I challenge is Jorge Posada. I honestly don’t know if his number should be retired, but although his numbers are not so high caliber, he has four WS rings and has been a leader, like Paul O’Neill was, on the team for years. Yes, the retired number honor should only be reserved for the elite, but there should at least be some credit (other than respect and praise) given to Posada who has been one of the backbones to this team, along with Jeter and Mo. Besides, can you see another player wearing 20?
http://flairforthedramatic.mlblogs.com
Looking at the numbers I have to say that Hentgen deserved to win that Cy Young over Pettite.
http://statisticianmagician.mlblogs.com/
Flair,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving some comments!
Re: Posada, one thing you have to remember is that Jorge didn’t become the everyday catcher until 2000. He often gets lumped in as a member of the championship core, but that wasn’t really the case. He wasn’t on the ’96 team and in ’97 he was Girardi’s backup. The next two years the Yankees used a platoon, with Posada getting about 60% of the starts at catcher. He had a promising year in ’98, but in ’99 his average dipped to .245 and he only hit 12 home runs. It wasn’t until the Yanks let Girardi go entering the 2000 season that Posada began making 140+ starts per year and putting up big numbers.
I don’t mean to downplay Posada’s career. He’s had a great career. It’s just that calling him a core member of the dynasty overstates his importance to those teams when he didn’t emerge as a mainstay until 2000.
Lol, your welcome. You make a great point, and perhaps you’re right. After all this time though, it’s just hard not to see posada, especially with such a leader he’s been.
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