Marquis can have #21

[BigbadB]

It's a god damn #. I for one welcome Marquis to the Cubs, and root for him to have a GREAT year as a Cub, and if he want's 21, then he can have it. If you want to HONOR your past players. Raise flags with their NAMES. Say RON SANTO played here, We salute SAMMY SOSA, formor great Cub. It's a #. It's a NUMBER.

 

How many Sosa jerseys does one see still to this day when they go to a game at Wrigley in 2006? I live too far away from Chicago to get to any games, but from my tv it sure looks like a lot. Sosa is the greatest Cub player to this last generation, and many generations before this one.

 

Even though the relationship between the front office and Sosa has soured, I don't believe the relationship between Sosa and Cubs fans of the last 15 years has soured. Marquis will be putting undo pressure on himself if he elects to wear #21 because of the tremendous sized crowd that idolizes Sammy Sosa.

 

Personally, I don't think #21 should be available. I don't think Sosa needs to be in the HOF in order to keep other players from wearing it. All it should really take is honor from the team you played for. All I think is necessary is for the front office to actually do the right thing and honor the man for his accomplishments instead of continuing to harbor hard feelings.

 

There are just as many "stories" that Sosa was granted permission to leave the park that day as there are that he left without permission.

 

Marquis would be doing himself a huge favor by electing to wear a different number. If he elects to wear that number, I'll assume he's just as egotistical as Sammy, but just not as good a player. It's really all on Jason at this point, but the front office isn't helping matters.

 

I see it as a distracting sideshow in a season everyone should just be focused on winning.

[BCVM22]

I'm not a big Marquis fan, and I hate the signing, but I'm going to give him a chance. However, I think he could win a LOT of respect from fans if he came out and said that he was taking a different number.

 

why does he have to? I seriously don't get it. If you're going to hate a player for taking an available number (which happens to be the number they have always worn) then you are being petty

 

Didn't Marquis wear a different # with the Braves?

 

He wore Nos. 38 and 51 with Atlanta.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Marquis will wear the number 7¼ to match his 2007 ERA.

[Chris]

Dear Lord, just give Rich Hill #21 and watch how many outraged voices fall silent...

 

Disagree

[Southpaw191679666239]

Marquis will wear the number 7¼ to match his 2007 ERA.

 

IMO, that joke got old the first five times...

[UK1679666180]

I'd rather see the Cubs do something to honor Buck O'Neill rather than block Sosa's # to Marquis, beyond the fact he should've been in MLB HoF already.

[cbbryan]

Dear Lord, just give Rich Hill #21 and watch how many outraged voices fall silent...

 

Disagree

 

I agree with the Disagree!

 

NO ONE should wear #21 in a Cub uniform again. Plain and simple.

 

The guy doesn't have to even go into the HOF in order to get the recognition from his own organization. I.e. The Yankees, who we all have our problems with, have never issued #23 since the retirement of Don Mattingly (except for Mattingly himself.). He's probably never going to be in the HOF, but he was the face of the Yanks for so many years when they stunk. He's beloved by their fans and he's honored by the organization. The Cubs should take a note of it.

[cbbryan]

I'd rather see the Cubs do something to honor Buck O'Neill rather than block Sosa's # to Marquis, beyond the fact he should've been in MLB HoF already.

 

Well, I agree. I think they should honor Buck O'Neill and Sammy. Does the current management even know who O'Neill is?

[NorthsideAvenger]

Dear Lord, just give Rich Hill #21 and watch how many outraged voices fall silent...

 

Disagree

 

I agree with the Disagree!

 

NO ONE should wear #21 in a Cub uniform again. Plain and simple.

quote]

 

Sorry, but IT'S A NUMBER.....A NUMBER....For goodness sake. All this fuss about a FRIGGIN' number. If Marquis wants to wear #21, fine, if he doesn't fine.

[BigbadB]

Dear Lord, just give Rich Hill #21 and watch how many outraged voices fall silent...

 

Disagree

 

I agree with the Disagree!

 

NO ONE should wear #21 in a Cub uniform again. Plain and simple.

quote]

 

Sorry, but IT'S A NUMBER.....A NUMBER....For goodness sake. All this fuss about a FRIGGIN' number. If Marquis wants to wear #21, fine, if he doesn't fine.

 

I don't really see anyone fussing. They are discussing, and it's actually a pretty good discussion.

 

And it's not like retiring numbers is something new. Most teams do it in honor of a local sports hero.

 

Besides the many Cub records he owns, the fans absolutely loved him for most of his career in Chicago, and many still do and always will.

 

The front office really should block that number from use, at least temporarily.

[cbbryan]

Dear Lord, just give Rich Hill #21 and watch how many outraged voices fall silent...

 

Disagree

 

I agree with the Disagree!

 

NO ONE should wear #21 in a Cub uniform again. Plain and simple.

 

Sorry, but IT'S A NUMBER.....A NUMBER....For goodness sake. All this fuss about a FRIGGIN' number. If Marquis wants to wear #21, fine, if he doesn't fine.

 

By ignoring the fact that BASEBALL teams AND MLB as an organization retire #'s to honor players is INSANE! It's an honor only bestode on the greats of the game. Sure, it's just a number. A number that was worn by a Cub great and should be honored.

 

There's other "symbols" in life. One could argue that the American flag is just fabric, but I would grossly disagree on that as well. Or honoring our great military with awards like the purple heart.....................well it's just a piece of metal. Come on!

 

Maybe I'm a bit old fashion, but a number means a great deal in sports and to have one's # retired IS the greatest honor given by one's team. The HOF induction is the greatest honor, but the player is voted in rather then the team itself inducting the player.

 

Again, the argument of "It's just a number" is utterly disreputable.

[CUBZ99]

Dear Lord, just give Rich Hill #21 and watch how many outraged voices fall silent...

 

Disagree

 

I agree with the Disagree!

 

NO ONE should wear #21 in a Cub uniform again. Plain and simple.

quote]

 

Sorry, but IT'S A NUMBER.....A NUMBER....For goodness sake. All this fuss about a FRIGGIN' number. If Marquis wants to wear #21, fine, if he doesn't fine.

 

I don't really see anyone fussing. They are discussing, and it's actually a pretty good discussion.

 

And it's not like retiring numbers is something new. Most teams do it in honor of a local sports hero.

 

Besides the many Cub records he owns, the fans absolutely loved him for most of his career in Chicago, and many still do and always will.

 

The front office really should block that number from use, at least temporarily.

 

I agree. The Cubs should be a classy enough organization to realize that Sosa was one of the all time greats to put on a Cubs uniform. Whether you like him as a person or not, he was a great ballplayer and gave everything he had for many years.

 

One of the greatest memories I have of Sammy was the first night game the Cubs played after 911, when Sammy hit the home run and ran around the bases with the American Flag.

 

They should put their egos aside and reserve his number for when he is inducted into the hall.

[Andy]

Dear Lord, just give Rich Hill #21 and watch how many outraged voices fall silent...

 

Disagree

 

I agree with the Disagree!

 

NO ONE should wear #21 in a Cub uniform again. Plain and simple.

quote]

 

Sorry, but IT'S A NUMBER.....A NUMBER....For goodness sake. All this fuss about a FRIGGIN' number. If Marquis wants to wear #21, fine, if he doesn't fine.

 

I don't really see anyone fussing. They are discussing, and it's actually a pretty good discussion.

 

And it's not like retiring numbers is something new. Most teams do it in honor of a local sports hero.

 

Besides the many Cub records he owns, the fans absolutely loved him for most of his career in Chicago, and many still do and always will.

 

The front office really should block that number from use, at least temporarily.

 

I agree. The Cubs should be a classy enough organization to realize that Sosa was one of the all time greats to put on a Cubs uniform. Whether you like him as a person or not, he was a great ballplayer and gave everything he had for many years.

 

One of the greatest memories I have of Sammy was the first night game the Cubs played after 911, when Sammy hit the home run and ran around the bases with the American Flag.

 

They should put their egos aside and reserve his number for when he is inducted into the hall.

I'd forgotten about that. I always remember him running out to RF with the flag. Geez, what a moment.

[NorthsideAvenger]

By ignoring the fact that BASEBALL teams AND MLB as an organization retire #'s to honor players is INSANE! It's an honor only bestode on the greats of the game. Sure, it's just a number. A number that was worn by a Cub great and should be honored.

 

Only is said player is worthy to have his number retired. Santo yes...Billy Williams yes...Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, yes. Maddux/Jenkins (no and yes), but Sosa doesn't, IMO deserve. I mean he only had six yrs out of 13 with the Cubs, that his numbers were considered "great" and those numbers between 1998 and 2003 are under suspicion. And the other 7 seasons with the Cubs, his numbers were VERY mediocre as a whole.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sosasa01.shtml

 

So half his career with the Cubs he was pretty much average, the other half he was ABOVE-AVERAGE. When you put the full 13 yrs together, Sosa really isn't "number retiring" quality without serious debate. So, until the Cubs decide Sosa's number should or shouldn't be retired, his number should be made available to anybody who wants to wear, just like 31 was, and 8, and 17. NO EXCEPTIONS. The only numbers that are off-limits are the numbers worn by Santo/Williams and Banks with #31 being close to being off the market, so to speack. So, again, 21 should will be made available, and if Marquis wants to wear, he SHOULD be welcome to wearing it. Marquis wearing won't disrespect what Sosa did in the numbers.

 

There's other "symbols" in life. One could argue that the American flag is just fabric, but I would grossly disagree on that as well. Or honoring our great military with awards like the purple heart.....................well it's just a piece of metal. Come on!

 

You're stretching it now. You're comparing entertainment that only affects us 8 months out of the yr, and not personally to that of current events that affect our day-to-day life and history? Nah...there is a different. People are dying to protect the freedoms that this country is founded on, and to compare that to players choosing to wear another player's numbers....is beyond stretching a point to fit into your argument.

 

Maybe I'm a bit old fashion, but a number means a great deal in sports and to have one's # retired IS the greatest honor given by one's team. The HOF induction is the greatest honor, but the player is voted in rather then the team itself inducting the player.

 

Again, if you need a number to remember the "greatness" of a player, then maybe the player wasn't so great after all, or you weren't paying attention to said players career.

 

Again, the argument of "It's just a number" is utterly disreputable.

 

It is "just a number." Or should players pull a "Futurama" and start wearing fractions as numbers (ie 1/8....2/5)? So, again it is "just a number", and to make it out to be bigger then it supposed to be, is beyond nonsense.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Only is said player is worthy to have his number retired. Santo yes...Billy Williams yes...Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, yes. Maddux/Jenkins (no and yes), but Sosa doesn't, IMO deserve. I mean he only had six yrs out of 13 with the Cubs, that his numbers were considered "great" and those numbers between 1998 and 2003 are under suspicion. And the other 7 seasons with the Cubs, his numbers were VERY mediocre as a whole.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sosasa01.shtml

 

So half his career with the Cubs he was pretty much average, the other half he was ABOVE-AVERAGE. When you put the full 13 yrs together, Sosa really isn't "number retiring" quality without serious debate.

 

This is crazy. Sosa put up an OPS+ over 120(123 if you want to be precise) in 9 of his 13 seasons as a Cub. To claim he was mediocre for 7 seasons is fiction.

 

EDIT: To compare...

 

Ernie Banks had a 120+ OPS+ in 7 of his 17 seasons as a Cub.

 

Ron Santo had a 120+ OPS+ in 9 of his 14 seasons as a Cub.

[Sosa21MVP]

I really don't want to have to change my username to Marquis21MVP. :oops: :lol:

[Butterscup1679666578]

I really don't want to have to change my username to Marquis21MVP. :oops: :lol:

 

I vote if he chooses #21 and wins MVP or Cy Young, you have to.

[rocket]

Sorry, but IT'S A NUMBER.....A NUMBER....For goodness sake. All this fuss about a FRIGGIN' number. If Marquis wants to wear #21, fine, if he doesn't fine.

 

then who cares if bonds hits 756 homeruns. it's just a NUMBER. a FRIGGIN' number at that

[jjgman21]

 

Besides the many Cub records he owns, the fans absolutely loved him for most of his career in Chicago, and many still do and always will.

 

 

I don't really care about Marquis' number, but the bolded part above is just not true for many of us. in fact, just the opposite.

 

Sosa was an after thought in the Sandberg/Grace years, especially since he was trying to replace the Hawk. then he was the embodiment of overpaid, unfulfilled potential, spazmodic K monster that could have been good if he ever learned to recognize a low and away slider. then there was 1997 when I for one was completely done with him and wanted him gone.

 

only then did he become a hero to all of Wrigleydom, and he was more of a pain in the ass then a beloved character in his last two years with the Cubs. so to many he was loved for his whole Cub career. to most of us that weren't adolescents or younger in the early and mid 90's, he was nothing special.

[SouthSideRyan]

 

Besides the many Cub records he owns, the fans absolutely loved him for most of his career in Chicago, and many still do and always will.

 

 

I don't really care about Marquis' number, but the bolded part above is just not true for many of us. in fact, just the opposite.

 

Sosa was an after thought in the Sandberg/Grace years, especially since he was trying to replace the Hawk. then he was the embodiment of overpaid, unfulfilled potential, spazmodic K monster that could have been good if he ever learned to recognize a low and away slider. then there was 1997 when I for one was completely done with him and wanted him gone.

 

only then did he become a hero to all of Wrigleydom, and he was more of a pain in the ass then a beloved character in his last two years with the Cubs. so to many he was loved for his whole Cub career. to most of us that weren't adolescents or younger in the early and mid 90's, he was nothing special.

 

I have to disagree with your disagreement. Sosa's 30-30 seasons made him a big star in Chicago. I'll give you '92, nobody cared about Sosa, and were pissed that we traded George Bell for the bum. But Sosa had the 30-30 year in '93 and then the face of the franchise retired midway through '94. That coupled with Sosa having a very good year in '94 followed up by another 30-30 in '95 made him the new man in Chicago. Then he follows it up with the key power #s, 40 HRs, 100 RBI(without playing in September), even with Sandberg's return, Sosa was the guy in Chicago.

 

I'll give you the '97 season, Sosa was far from loved, and many people thought his contract extension was insane. But I think to say he wasn't adored for most of his career is a gross misrepresentation.

[BigSlick]

Is a number really that big a deal?

 

It's been made to be. A team retiring a players number is second only to a HOF induction in terms of the size of the honor. To issue the number of a former player who happened to be your franchise player and a sure-fire HOF'er to a mediocre pitcher is a slap in the face.

 

Sometimes moreso. There are plenty of players in the HOF that have numbers that weren't retired by their team. (And vice versa, obviously.)

 

Its becoming an issue for the Bears, because they are running out of linebacker numbers. :lol:

[NorthsideAvenger]

Sorry, but IT'S A NUMBER.....A NUMBER....For goodness sake. All this fuss about a FRIGGIN' number. If Marquis wants to wear #21, fine, if he doesn't fine.

 

then who cares if bonds hits 756 homeruns. it's just a NUMBER. a FRIGGIN' number at that

 

There is a difference, Rocket. we are talking about a STATISTICAL numbers in the record books, of said player accomplishment on the field. Whereas the number on the back of a players jersey has NO bearing on said player's career.

 

So rocket, there is a BIG difference, and YOU know it, yet you use a worthless point to continue the argument.

 

I am going to say it again........

 

#21 is not retired. The Cubs have no plans on retiring it in the near future. Sammy Sosa isn't offically retired, nor is he in the HOF. That means....it is to the discretion of the organization about how they issue numbers. It is not a classless move to allow another player to wear a UNRETIRED number, so get off the high horse. More mediocre to crappy players have won the number 31 after Jenkins, and in between Maddux's stints in Chicago, then there have been players to wear the #21. So where's the arugment about #31(Ayala/Guthrie/Lieber)? Or #8 (Girardi/Barrett)? Or #17(Patterson/Hill/Mabry)?

 

If Marquis wants to wear number #21, fine, let him, it's HIS preference. If the Cubs don't stop him from choosing #21, it doesn't make the org classless.

 

What's next, keeping Soriano from wearing #12, because it has the same numbers as #21, but in reverse order?

[cbbryan]

By ignoring the fact that BASEBALL teams AND MLB as an organization retire #'s to honor players is INSANE! It's an honor only bestode on the greats of the game. Sure, it's just a number. A number that was worn by a Cub great and should be honored.

 

Only is said player is worthy to have his number retired. Santo yes...Billy Williams yes...Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg, yes. Maddux/Jenkins (no and yes), but Sosa doesn't, IMO deserve. I mean he only had six yrs out of 13 with the Cubs, that his numbers were considered "great" and those numbers between 1998 and 2003 are under suspicion. And the other 7 seasons with the Cubs, his numbers were VERY mediocre as a whole.

 

http://www.baseball-reference.com/s/sosasa01.shtml

 

So half his career with the Cubs he was pretty much average, the other half he was ABOVE-AVERAGE. When you put the full 13 yrs together, Sosa really isn't "number retiring" quality without serious debate. So, until the Cubs decide Sosa's number should or shouldn't be retired, his number should be made available to anybody who wants to wear, just like 31 was, and 8, and 17. NO EXCEPTIONS. The only numbers that are off-limits are the numbers worn by Santo/Williams and Banks with #31 being close to being off the market, so to speack. So, again, 21 should will be made available, and if Marquis wants to wear, he SHOULD be welcome to wearing it. Marquis wearing won't disrespect what Sosa did in the numbers.

 

Did you even look at his #'s, or just post the link? About 7 of Sosa's years w/ the Cubs were ABOVE average. As for #8, #31, and #17 I don't feel any of those should be retired. I loved Hawk, but the majority of his career numbers were put up in Montreal. Maddux only came into his own as a Cub, but put up the majority of his numbers in Atlanta. And Gracie, while I loved watching him as well is not even close to a GREAT, or FRANCHISE player. He was a complimentary player that played great defense and hit singles and doubles. He doesn't stake up against the great 1B of all-time.

 

There's other "symbols" in life. One could argue that the American flag is just fabric, but I would grossly disagree on that as well. Or honoring our great military with awards like the purple heart.....................well it's just a piece of metal. Come on!

 

You're stretching it now. You're comparing entertainment that only affects us 8 months out of the yr, and not personally to that of current events that affect our day-to-day life and history? Nah...there is a different. People are dying to protect the freedoms that this country is founded on, and to compare that to players choosing to wear another player's numbers....is beyond stretching a point to fit into your argument.

 

Your missing the point here. I'm not saying that a ball player is as important as a nation hero. I'm saying that throughout history in many different parts of our lives there are symbols of respect. They may just be a number, or a piece of fabric, or a piece of metal, etc. But the meaning behind it is what matters. I am in no way saying that a Purple Heart is equal to a Retired #, but I am saying they're both symbolic of honor in their respective fields. You are right in the aspect that the flag and our solidiers are much more important then #'s.

 

Maybe I'm a bit old fashion, but a number means a great deal in sports and to have one's # retired IS the greatest honor given by one's team. The HOF induction is the greatest honor, but the player is voted in rather then the team itself inducting the player.

 

Again, if you need a number to remember the "greatness" of a player, then maybe the player wasn't so great after all, or you weren't paying attention to said players career.

 

It's not about "needing a number to remember the greatness of a player!" It's a way for the organization to HONOR and show RESPECT for the player and what they gave or meant to the franchise.

 

Again, the argument of "It's just a number" is utterly disreputable.

 

It is "just a number." Or should players pull a "Futurama" and start wearing fractions as numbers (ie 1/8....2/5)? So, again it is "just a number", and to make it out to be bigger then it supposed to be, is beyond nonsense.

 

Please! The Yanks have a great number of retired numbers and have no shortage of numbers to hand out. Your sarcasm is amusing, but it still doesn't change the fact that sports franchises in all major sports retire numbers to HONOR the greats. You may not like it, you may think they should do something different, but the fact still remains that this is how clubs have chosen to honor players. I think it's ridiculous to argue the merits of anyone wearing #21 when you know and understand these facts to be true.

[cbbryan]

Listing by number

 

1

 

Billy Meyer - Pirates

Pee Wee Reese - Dodgers

Bobby Doerr - Red Sox

Fred Hutchinson - Reds (manager)

Ozzie Smith - Cardinals

Richie Ashburn - Phillies

Billy Martin - Yankees

 

2

 

Red Schoendienst - Cardinals

Nellie Fox - White Sox

Tommy Lasorda - Dodgers (manager)

Charlie Gehringer - Tigers

 

3

 

Babe Ruth - Yankees

Earl Averill - Indians

Bill Terry - Giants

Harmon Killebrew - Twins

Dale Murphy - Braves

Harold Baines - White Sox

 

4

 

Luke Appling - White Sox

Earl Weaver - Orioles (manager)

Duke Snider - Dodgers

Ralph Kiner - Pirates

Lou Gehrig - Yankees

Paul Molitor - Brewers

Mel Ott - Giants

Joe Cronin - Red Sox

 

5

 

Brooks Robinson - Orioles

Carl Barger - Marlins (club president)

Lou Boudreau - Indians

George Brett - Royals

Johnny Bench - Reds

Hank Greenberg - Tigers

Joe DiMaggio - Yankees

 

6

 

Steve Garvey - Padres

Stan Musial - Cardinals

Al Kaline - Tigers

Tony Oliva - Twins

 

7

 

Mickey Mantle - Yankees

 

8

 

Willie Stargell - Pirates

Joe Morgan - Reds

Yogi Berra - Yankees

Gary Carter - Expos

Cal Ripken, Jr. - Orioles

Bill Dickey - Yankees

Carl Yastrzemski - Red Sox

 

9

 

Ted Williams - Red Sox

Reggie Jackson - Athletics

Minnie Minoso - White Sox

Enos Slaughter - Cardinals

Bill Mazeroski - Pirates

Roger Maris - Yankees

 

10

 

Sparky Anderson - Reds (manager)

Dick Howser - Royals (manager)

Phil Rizzuto - Yankees

Andre Dawson - Expos

Rusty Staub - Expos

Ron Santo - Cubs

 

11

 

Carl Hubbell - Giants

Jim Fregosi - Angels

Luis Aparicio - White Sox

 

12

 

Wade Boggs - Devil Rays

 

14

 

Ernie Banks - Cubs

Kent Hrbek - Twins

Larry Doby - Indians

Ken Boyer - Cardinals

Gil Hodges - Mets

Jim Bunning - Phillies

 

15

 

Thurman Munson - Yankees

 

16

 

Hal Newhouser - Tigers

Ted Lyons - White Sox

Whitey Ford - Yankees

 

17

 

Dizzy Dean - Cardinals

 

18

 

Ted Kluszewski - Reds

Mel Harder - Indians

 

19

 

Bob Feller - Indians

Billy Pierce - White Sox

Jim Gilliam - Dodgers

Tony Gwynn - Padres

Robin Yount - Brewers

 

20

 

Lou Brock - Cardinals

Frank Robinson - Orioles & Reds

Pie Traynor - Pirates

Mike Schmidt - Phillies

Don Sutton - Dodgers

Frank White - Royals

 

21

 

Bob Lemon - Indians

Warren Spahn - Braves

Roberto Clemente - Pirates

 

22

 

Jim Palmer - Orioles

 

23

 

Ryne Sandberg - Cubs

Don Mattingly - Yankees

Willie Horton - Tigers

 

24

 

Tony Perez - Reds

Willie Mays - Giants

Walter Alston - Dodgers (manager)

Jimmy Wynn - Astros

 

25

 

Jose Cruz - Astros

 

26

 

Billy Williams - Cubs

Gene Autry - Angels (owner)

Johnny Oates - Rangers (manager)

 

27

 

Carlton Fisk - Red Sox

Jim Hunter - Athletics

Juan Marichal - Giants

 

29

 

Rod Carew - Angels & Twins

 

30

 

Orlando Cepeda - Giants

Nolan Ryan - Angels

 

31

 

Dave Winfield - Padres

 

32

 

Steve Carlton - Phillies

Sandy Koufax - Dodgers

Elston Howard - Yankees

Jim Umbricht - Astros

 

33

 

Mike Scott - Astros

Eddie Murray - Orioles

Honus Wagner - Pirates

 

34

 

Rollie Fingers - Athletics & Brewers

Nolan Ryan - Rangers & Astros

Kirby Puckett - Twins

 

35

 

Randy Jones - Padres

Phil Niekro - Braves

 

36

 

Robin Roberts - Phillies

Gaylord Perry - Giants

 

37

 

Casey Stengel - Yankees & Mets (manager)

 

39

 

Roy Campanella - Dodgers

 

40

 

Don Wilson - Astros

Danny Murtaugh - Pirates (manager)

 

41

 

Eddie Mathews - Braves

Tom Seaver - Mets

 

42

 

Jackie Robinson - Dodgers, later retired throughout MLB

Bruce Sutter - Cardinals

 

43

 

Dennis Eckersley - Athletics

 

44

 

Henry Aaron - Braves & Brewers

Reggie Jackson - Yankees

Willie McCovey - Giants

 

45

 

Bob Gibson - Cardinals

 

49

Larry Dierker - Astros

Ron Guidry - Yankees

 

50

 

Jimmie Reese - Angels (coach)

 

53

 

Don Drysdale - Dodgers

 

72

 

Carlton Fisk - White Sox

 

85

 

August Busch, Jr. - Cardinals (owner)

This represents his age at the time the number was retired in 1984.

 

455

 

Cleveland Fans - Indians

This represents consecutive sellouts of Indians home games at Jacobs Field between 1995 and 2001; the number is believed to be an all-time record for Major League Baseball.

 

Note: Some players who played before the advent of uniform numbers have received retirement honors. They are

 

Ty Cobb, Tigers

 

Pete Alexander, Phillies

 

Chuck Klein, Phillies, denoted with "NY" and his name at AT&T Park

 

Christy Mathewson, Giants, denoted with "NY" and his name at AT&T Park

 

John McGraw, Giants

 

Rogers Hornsby, Cardinals

 

 

I guess every team wastes time with numbers!

[cbbryan]

NFL Anyone?

 

AFC

 

Baltimore

 

None

 

Buffalo

 

Jim Kelly 12

 

Cincinnati

 

Bob Johnson 54

 

Cleveland

 

Otto Graham 14

Jim Brown 32

Ernie Davis 45

Don Fleming 46

Lou Groza 76

 

Denver

 

John Elway 7

Frank Tripucka 18

Floyd Little 44

 

Houston

 

None

 

Indianapolis

 

Johnny Unitas 19

Buddy Young 22

Lenny Moore 24

Art Donovan 70

Jim Parker 77

Raymond Berry 82

Gino Marchetti 89

 

Jacksonville

 

None

 

Kansas City

 

Jan Stenerud 3

Len Dawson 16

Abner Haynes 28

Stone Johnson 33

Mack Lee Hill 36

Willie Lanier 63

Bobby Bell 78

Buck Buchanan 86

 

Miami

 

Bob Griese 12

Dan Marino 13

Larry Csonka 39

 

New England

 

Bruce Armstrong 78

Gino Cappelletti 20

Mike Haynes 40

Steve Nelson 57

John Hannah 73

Jim Hunt 79

Bob Dee 89

 

New York Jets

 

Joe Klecko 73

Joe Namath 12

Don Maynard 13

 

Oakland

 

None

 

Pittsburgh

 

Ernie Stautner 70

 

San Diego

 

Dan Fouts 14

 

Tennessee

 

Earl Campbell 34

Bruce Matthews 74

Jim Norton 43

Mike Munchak 63

Elvin Bethea 65

 

NFC

 

 

Arizona

 

Larry Wilson 8

Patt Tillman 40

Stan Mauldin 77

J.V. Cain 88

Marshall Goldberg 99

 

Atlanta

 

Steve Bartowski 10

William Andrews 31

Jeff Van Note 57

Tommy Nobis 60

 

Carolina

 

Sam Mills 51

 

Chicago

 

Bronko Nagurski 3

George McAfee 5

George Halas 7

Willie Galimore 28

Walter Payton 34

Gale Sayers 40

Brian Piccolo 41

Sid Luckman 42

Dick Butkus 51

Bill Hewitt 56

Bill George 61

Clyde "Bulldog" Turner 66

Red Grange 77

 

Dallas

 

None

 

Detroit

 

Dutch Clark 7

Bobby Layne 22

Doak Walker 37

Joe Schmidt 56

Chuck Hughes 85

 

Green Bay

 

Tony Canadeo 3

Don Hutson 14

Bart Starr 15

Ray Nitschke 66

Reggie White 92

 

Minnesota

 

Fran Tarkenton 10

Cris Carter 80

Mick Tingelhoff 53

Jim Marshall 70

Corey Stringer 77

Alan Page 88

 

New Orleans

 

Jim Taylor 31

Doug Atkins 81

 

New York Giants

 

Ray Flaherty 1

Tuffy Leemans 4

Mel Hein 7

Phil Simms 11

Y.A. Tittle 14

Frank Gifford 16

Al Blozis 32

Joe Morrison 40

Charlie Conerly 42

Ken Strong 50

Lawrence Taylor 56

 

Philadelphia

 

Steve Van Buren 15

Tom Brookshier 40

Pete Retzlaff 44

Chuck Bednarik 60

Al Wistert 70

Jerome Brown 99

Reggie White 92

 

St. Louis

 

Bob Waterfield 7

Eric Dickerson 29

Merlin Olsen 74

Jackie Slater 78

Jack Youngblood 85

 

San Francisco

 

John Brodie 12

Joe Montana 16

Joe Perry 34

Jimmy Johnson 37

Hugh McElhenny 39

Charlie Krueger 70

Leo Nomellini 73

Bob St. Clair 79

Dwight Clark 87

 

Seattle

 

"Fans/the twelfth man" 12

Steve Largent 80

 

Tampa Bay

 

Lee Roy Selmon 63

 

Washington

 

Sammy Baugh 33