Re: Any current Cubs with a shot at having their number retired?

[inari]

I saw this discussion going on at another board and thought it was interesting, especially with the recent retirement of #31. In my mind, there is no one likely to get their number retired, but there is one with a realistic chance and one that you could end up making an argument for that wouldn't be laughed out of the room.

 

Zambrano - A fan favorite who has been with the Cubs his entire career. He's slipped off the pasts couple years, of course, but let's say he continues to be productive, if not as productive as he once was. He's currently a three time All Star (might not mean much but it looks pretty) and has finsihed in the top five of Cy Young voting several times, as well as winning a couple of silver sluggers. Let's say he is good for the duration of his contract. That would give him thirteen seasons with the Cubs, none of which were exactly subpar (though some obviously left something to be desired), and most of which were very good. He has the reputation of an ace even if he hasn't pitched like it the last couple of years. I don't think Z will end up getting his number retired, but I think he is the guy that easily has the best chance, and it's not inconceivable at all. If he is productive for the rest of his contract, he will certainly have done a lot more to warrant it than Greg Maddux in his stints with the Cubs.

 

Aramis - He has been with the Cubs since 2003 and has also been a fan favorite ever since. He'd have to produce for the Cubs for more than the duration of his current contract to have any chance at all, though. Even if he is productive for the rest of it, he wouldn't have been with the Cubs for even a decade, and would have played for two other teams.

 

Okay, thoughts?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Goes without saying....Geovany Soto.

[SouthSideRyan]

I think Aramis would need some defining moment beyond finishing his career as a Cub. He's not really appreciated like he should be.

[apete6]

More than likely, Soriano will hit his 500th HR as a Cub and will probably be part of numerous winning teams. If he gets an MVP and/or wins a WS while having all 8 of his Cub seasons being at least above average, there could be some discussion, but probably not.

 

Zambrano could be very likely and could end up owning all of the Cubs pitching records if he signs another contract when this one runs out and doesn't have major injuries.

 

Ramirez is probably the 2nd most likely behind Z. He could end up besting all of Ron Santo's club records for 3B and will participate on several winning teams. 1 more 4 year deal and he will have 10+ seasons as a Cub.

 

Geovany Soto will not only have his number retired by the Cubs, but across all leagues of baseball. No one will be allowed to wear the number 18 while on a baseball diamond anywhere in the world. Ever. Again. Because he's the man. And if they do, he will find them and punish (reward) them with having to personally manicure his hair and eyebrows before each game he plays.

[OleMissCub]

I think since none of these guys are obvious HOF guys that it will take them doing something really special, like being on a Cubs World Champion team, to get them to the place where they'll have their number retired.

[CubbieBum]

I will go with everyone on the team. Why? Because we will retire 2009 and have it represent everyone on the team. This of course comes after we win the World Series.

 

On a more realistic note I would say if we do indeed win a World Series sometime in the next 4 or 5 years a lot of the stars of this era with get heavy consideration. If Soto is part of a WS and ends up having a great career he will be retired, if Z stays here for his contract and is part of a WS he will likely be retired, same with Aram.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

The Cubs are really, really stingy with the number thing.

 

Zambrano is the only one on the current Cubs I could see getting there.

[SouthSideRyan]

The Cubs are really, really stingy with the number thing.

 

Zambrano is the only one on the current Cubs I could see getting there.

 

They're stingy because they've been terrible for the better part of the last 60 years. Who's # do you think should have been retired? (post WWII guys only, they're not going to retire the # for a guy who's can't be there to watch it.)

 

Who are the biggest snubs right now? Hartnett, Cavaretta, Hack, Grace, and Reuschel?

 

Other than Hartnett(who never kept up a # for more than 4 years, and didn't have one for half his career) who's being snubbed? Stan Hack was a great Cub and probably a top 20 3B of all time, but I wouldn't say it's a crime that his number isn't retired. Cavaretta is much the same story. Both put up their best numbers during WWII as well, which kinda puts a damper on things. Grace? Pass. Reuschel doesn't really have an argument, but I felt the need to put some pitcher on the list.

 

These guys are all fine to put their banner up on the councourse, recognize them as great Cubs, but they're not retired # good.

[OleMissCub]

Most of the Cubs in the Hall of Fame are pre-numbers: Chance, Three Finger, Evers, Tinker, Cuyler, Hack, & Gabby.

 

I believe Cuyler & Gabby would have had numbers near the end of their careers, but nothing consistent.

[Andy]

38. 18 if he's around another 8 years or more. that's about it unless 16 does something really special.

[mhuber92211]

21 is the most obvious snub at this point. Regardless of any controversy, Sammy was an electric Cub and probably one of the most entertaining since Ernie Banks.

 

Grace should be retired too.

[Brian]

More than likely, Soriano will hit his 500th HR as a Cub and will probably be part of numerous winning teams. If he gets an MVP and/or wins a WS while having all 8 of his Cub seasons being at least above average, there could be some discussion, but probably not.

 

If he only plays the 8 seasons of the current contract he'd have to hit about 38 home runs a year over the next 6 year to get to 500. Don't think it's going to happen.

[Electron Blue]

More than likely, Soriano will hit his 500th HR as a Cub and will probably be part of numerous winning teams. If he gets an MVP and/or wins a WS while having all 8 of his Cub seasons being at least above average, there could be some discussion, but probably not.

 

If he only plays the 8 seasons of the current contract he'd have to hit about 38 home runs a year over the next 6 year to get to 500. Don't think it's going to happen.

 

Good thing he's on pace for 90 this year.

[loukycub]

34

 

although some would claim he is no longer a cub.

[SouthSideRyan]

21 is the most obvious snub at this point. Regardless of any controversy, Sammy was an electric Cub and probably one of the most entertaining since Ernie Banks.

 

Grace should be retired too.

 

Yeah, I was operating under the assumption that people in this organization will stop being douchebags at some point and will retire 21.

 

Grace doesn't deserve it.

[Wheelimus]

It all depends on a World Series win. I could see the team that finally breaks the curse being pretty damn revered for eternity. To the point of a few retirements even if the final numbers don't exactly demand it. If the current crop could win one, I could see a number of players being retired. Z, Aram, Soriano, etc. And, of course, Geovany Soto.

[jersey cubs fan]

21 is the most obvious snub at this point. Regardless of any controversy, Sammy was an electric Cub and probably one of the most entertaining since Ernie Banks.

 

Grace should be retired too.

 

It's not a snub. He just retired, and he just talked about coming back. If they never do anything with Sammy in the future it may become a snub, but not now. Grace has no business being retired. You can't just retired all your good players' numbers. You'll run out of numbers in a decade.

 

It all depends on whether or not they win a world series. If they do, a number of guys will become folk heroes and be considered for the honor. Depending on how his career progresses, Harden could get his retired. If he pitches 25 games a year, wins 18, strikes out a ton, and performs huge in the playoffs (not to mention, sticks around) he's going to be worshipped eventually.

[soapy]

What if Marmol ends up becoming a lock-down closer and stays with the Cubs throughout his career?

[jersey cubs fan]

What if Marmol ends up becoming a lock-down closer and stays with the Cubs throughout his career?

 

Mariano will have his number retired. If Marmol does something similar, so will he, but that's going to be very hard.

[soapy]

For comparisons sake, Marmol had an ERA+ of 167 last year with a 0.927 WHIP. Rivera has gone 200 and 1.019 over 15 seasons.

 

Presumably the most reveared closer in Cubs recent history, Lee Smith, put up a 133 ERA+ and a 1.255 WHIP with the Cubs.

 

ETA: don't know what I was thinking leaving out Marmol's 2007 numbers. He had a 326 ERA+ and a 1.096 WHIP in 2007.

Edited April 16, 2009 by soapy

[Little Slide Rooter]

I this team wins the World Series for us, I say retire the whole lot of em. from Ramirez and Zambrano all the down to Miles and Cotts.

[biittner77]

I don't see them retiring anybody's number anytime soon. It will probably be a long while before they give out 34 or 38

[AlwaysaCub]

I know we've said current Cubs, but can we expand this discussion ever so slightly and discuss KW?

 

He obviously needs to come back and do some good things and maybe win a WS here but he is universally loved by the fans and organization alike I think.

[jersey cubs fan]

I know we've said current Cubs, but can we expand this discussion ever so slightly and discuss KW?

 

He obviously needs to come back and do some good things and maybe win a WS here but he is universally loved by the fans and organization alike I think.

 

Yeah, that's going to be a big stretch.

[Roast]

What if Marmol ends up becoming a lock-down closer and stays with the Cubs throughout his career?

 

Mariano will have his number retired. If Marmol does something similar, so will he, but that's going to be very hard.

Mariano's number is already retired.

 

Really though, the next number I see the cubs retiring is 21. Probably not within the next 5 years, but after that I'd assume they'd come around and retire it. As for current Cubs - it could be anyone. If someone gets a World Series winning hit anytime in the near future they'd probably get the honor just for ending the drought.