Jackie Robinsons 42

[oldstyle81]

I thought that all teams retired the number 42 however Mariano Rivera wears the number. is it a official MLB thing or teams just do it out of respect

[Irrelevant Dude]

Rivera was granfathered in. Players who wore number 42 prior to it being retired can continue to wear it, but the number cannot be re-assigned to any other players.

 

On the same subject... Nothing against Roberto Clemente, but I hope his number 21 is never retired across the major leagues. It is retired in Pittsburgh and that's how it should be, but it's not fair to compare his accomplishments to Jackie Robinson's. Retiring a number across the board should be reserved for only the most monumental accomplishments.

[TB_11]

Isn't Wayne Gretzky's #99 retired by the entire NHL? I thought it was a bit weird that they did that just years after the MLB retired Jackie Robinson's #42.

[chuckywang]

Isn't Wayne Gretzky's #99 retired by the entire NHL? I thought it was a bit weird that they did that just years after the MLB retired Jackie Robinson's #42.

 

Somehow having Gretzky's jersey retired by the NHL feels right, but having Michael Jordan's jersey retired by the NBA doesn't feel right.....there's just something different about Gretzky. Maybe it was because he is the greatest hockey player ever, and there is not even any argument that is possible for someone else.

 

(And please don't call me a racist with this post.)

[soccer10k]

Isn't Wayne Gretzky's #99 retired by the entire NHL? I thought it was a bit weird that they did that just years after the MLB retired Jackie Robinson's #42.

 

Somehow having Gretzky's jersey retired by the NHL feels right, but having Michael Jordan's jersey retired by the NBA doesn't feel right.....there's just something different about Gretzky. Maybe it was because he is the greatest hockey player ever, and there is not even any argument that is possible for someone else.

 

(And please don't call me a racist with this post.)

 

I agree with you. As great as Jordan was, he didn't do much record-wise that people had never seen before. Gretzky completely rewrote the NHL record book. For example, he racked up more career assists than any other player has career points.

[UMFan83]

I don't think either Gretzky or Jordan should have their numbers retired throughout their respective games. Those sort of retirements should be reserved for people who do things that transend the game. For Jackie Robinson to break the baseball color barrier and open the game to people of every race and color is something that deserves individual recognition by all teams.

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't think either Gretzky or Jordan should have their numbers retired throughout their respective games. Those sort of retirements should be reserved for people who do things that transend the game. For Jackie Robinson to break the baseball color barrier and open the game to people of every race and color is something that deserves individual recognition by all teams.

 

Agreed. Breaking records isn't enough to have your number retired. You need to be more than just a player...and yeah, it's tough to clarify, but like the saying goes, "I know it when I see it."

[ConstableRabbit]

I don't think either Gretzky or Jordan should have their numbers retired throughout their respective games. Those sort of retirements should be reserved for people who do things that transend the game. For Jackie Robinson to break the baseball color barrier and open the game to people of every race and color is something that deserves individual recognition by all teams.

 

Agreed. Breaking records isn't enough to have your number retired. You need to be more than just a player...and yeah, it's tough to clarify, but like the saying goes, "I know it when I see it."

 

Right. Robinson arguably is not a hall of famer if he is not the first black player, but his actions clearly did a lot for the game.

 

I would like to see Clemente and Ruth also retired.

[Sammy Sofa]

I don't think either Gretzky or Jordan should have their numbers retired throughout their respective games. Those sort of retirements should be reserved for people who do things that transend the game. For Jackie Robinson to break the baseball color barrier and open the game to people of every race and color is something that deserves individual recognition by all teams.

 

Agreed. Breaking records isn't enough to have your number retired. You need to be more than just a player...and yeah, it's tough to clarify, but like the saying goes, "I know it when I see it."

 

Right. Robinson arguably is not a hall of famer if he is not the first black player, but his actions clearly did a lot for the game.

 

I would like to see Clemente and Ruth also retired.

 

For all of MLB? Why? Both were great players, but what did they do equivalent to what Robinson did?

[ConstableRabbit]

I don't think either Gretzky or Jordan should have their numbers retired throughout their respective games. Those sort of retirements should be reserved for people who do things that transend the game. For Jackie Robinson to break the baseball color barrier and open the game to people of every race and color is something that deserves individual recognition by all teams.

 

Agreed. Breaking records isn't enough to have your number retired. You need to be more than just a player...and yeah, it's tough to clarify, but like the saying goes, "I know it when I see it."

 

Right. Robinson arguably is not a hall of famer if he is not the first black player, but his actions clearly did a lot for the game.

 

I would like to see Clemente and Ruth also retired.

 

For all of MLB? Why? Both were great players, but what did they do equivalent to what Robinson did?

 

Clemente did the equivalent of what Robinson did, except for latin players, imo.

 

I feel like Ruth revolutionized the game in the way that he played it. He had a great personality, changed the way we think about power, and was the only player to be an absolutely sick pitcher and hitter.

 

He also broke a lot of records, unlike Clemente and Robinson.

[goonys evil twin]

I don't think either Gretzky or Jordan should have their numbers retired throughout their respective games. Those sort of retirements should be reserved for people who do things that transend the game. For Jackie Robinson to break the baseball color barrier and open the game to people of every race and color is something that deserves individual recognition by all teams.

 

Agreed. Breaking records isn't enough to have your number retired. You need to be more than just a player...and yeah, it's tough to clarify, but like the saying goes, "I know it when I see it."

 

Right. Robinson arguably is not a hall of famer if he is not the first black player, but his actions clearly did a lot for the game.

 

I would like to see Clemente and Ruth also retired.

 

For all of MLB? Why? Both were great players, but what did they do equivalent to what Robinson did?

 

Clemente did the equivalent of what Robinson did, except for latin players, imo.

 

I feel like Ruth revolutionized the game in the way that he played it. He had a great personality, changed the way we think about power, and was the only player to be an absolutely sick pitcher and hitter.

 

He also broke a lot of records, unlike Clemente and Robinson.

 

What? Clemente did not introduce latin players to MLB. He wasn't even the first "black" latino in the majors.

[Garwilly]

I don't think either Gretzky or Jordan should have their numbers retired throughout their respective games. Those sort of retirements should be reserved for people who do things that transend the game. For Jackie Robinson to break the baseball color barrier and open the game to people of every race and color is something that deserves individual recognition by all teams.

 

Agreed. Breaking records isn't enough to have your number retired. You need to be more than just a player...and yeah, it's tough to clarify, but like the saying goes, "I know it when I see it."

 

Right. Robinson arguably is not a hall of famer if he is not the first black player, but his actions clearly did a lot for the game.

 

I would like to see Clemente and Ruth also retired.

 

For all of MLB? Why? Both were great players, but what did they do equivalent to what Robinson did?

 

Clemente did the equivalent of what Robinson did, except for latin players, imo.

 

I feel like Ruth revolutionized the game in the way that he played it. He had a great personality, changed the way we think about power, and was the only player to be an absolutely sick pitcher and hitter.

 

He also broke a lot of records, unlike Clemente and Robinson.

 

I don't even know where to begin on this.

 

How many latinos played the game before Roberto?

 

Did he face anywhere near the resistance?

 

 

Hell, lets retire 51 for Ichiro, the first dominant player from Japan.

 

What about Chan Ho Park, surely he went through what Robinson did.

[ConstableRabbit]

I don't think either Gretzky or Jordan should have their numbers retired throughout their respective games. Those sort of retirements should be reserved for people who do things that transend the game. For Jackie Robinson to break the baseball color barrier and open the game to people of every race and color is something that deserves individual recognition by all teams.

 

Agreed. Breaking records isn't enough to have your number retired. You need to be more than just a player...and yeah, it's tough to clarify, but like the saying goes, "I know it when I see it."

 

Right. Robinson arguably is not a hall of famer if he is not the first black player, but his actions clearly did a lot for the game.

 

I would like to see Clemente and Ruth also retired.

 

For all of MLB? Why? Both were great players, but what did they do equivalent to what Robinson did?

 

Clemente did the equivalent of what Robinson did, except for latin players, imo.

 

I feel like Ruth revolutionized the game in the way that he played it. He had a great personality, changed the way we think about power, and was the only player to be an absolutely sick pitcher and hitter.

 

He also broke a lot of records, unlike Clemente and Robinson.

 

What? Clemente did not introduce latin players to MLB. He wasn't even the first "black" latino in the majors.

 

Well, I guess it's not fair to compare them because Clemente wasn't the first like Robinson was, but isn't Clemente recognized as the face of latin ballplayers in the MLB?

[goonys evil twin]

Well, I guess it's not fair to compare them because Clemente wasn't the first like Robinson was, but isn't Clemente recognized as the face of latin ballplayers in the MLB?

 

I think he may be recognized as the first really great one, but that's not quite the same thing. There were popular latinos before him, especially lots of Cubans, like Minnie Minoso. There were even Puerto Ricans that came a full decade before Roberto, like Hiram Bithorn.

[ConstableRabbit]

Well, I guess it's not fair to compare them because Clemente wasn't the first like Robinson was, but isn't Clemente recognized as the face of latin ballplayers in the MLB?

 

I think he may be recognized as the first really great one, but that's not quite the same thing. There were popular latinos before him, especially lots of Cubans, like Minnie Minoso. There were even Puerto Ricans that came a full decade before Roberto, like Hiram Bithorn.

 

Yeah, I was thinking because he was the first latin player in the HOF, in addition to his great personality and humanitarian work. He was also an excellent, excellent player.

 

I guess I feel like they should find some way to honor him.

[Sammy Sofa]

I feel like Ruth revolutionized the game in the way that he played it. He had a great personality, changed the way we think about power, and was the only player to be an absolutely sick pitcher and hitter.

 

He also broke a lot of records, unlike Clemente and Robinson.

 

So Cobb's number should be retired, too?

[ConstableRabbit]

I feel like Ruth revolutionized the game in the way that he played it. He had a great personality, changed the way we think about power, and was the only player to be an absolutely sick pitcher and hitter.

 

He also broke a lot of records, unlike Clemente and Robinson.

 

So Cobb's number should be retired, too?

 

I think Cobb only revolutionized the game and broke records.

[Sammy Sofa]

I feel like Ruth revolutionized the game in the way that he played it. He had a great personality, changed the way we think about power, and was the only player to be an absolutely sick pitcher and hitter.

 

He also broke a lot of records, unlike Clemente and Robinson.

 

So Cobb's number should be retired, too?

 

I think Cobb only revolutionized the game and broke records.

 

Which is really all Ruth did, too.

[mul21]

I feel like Ruth revolutionized the game in the way that he played it. He had a great personality, changed the way we think about power, and was the only player to be an absolutely sick pitcher and hitter.

 

He also broke a lot of records, unlike Clemente and Robinson.

 

So Cobb's number should be retired, too?

 

I think Cobb only revolutionized the game and broke records.

 

Which is really all Ruth did, too.

 

No, he did it hammered, which is way cooler. \:D/