Should Sammy's number be retired?

[erik316wttn]

I posted this question in today's game thread, but I think it deserves its own...

 

Personal feelings aside, do you think Sammy's #21 should be retired sometime in the future?

 

I say yes. How can it not be? Consider the reasons below....

 

1) He is a sure bet for first-ballot HOF'er, and he'll go in wearing a Cubs hat.

 

2) He and Mark McGwire brought the game back after the 1994 strike.

 

3) He was the face of the franchise for a lot of the time he was here. When someone said "Cubs", people thought "Sammy Sosa". He was the only reason to watch the terrible teams of 1999, 2000, and 2002. His really only "bad" year as a Cub was 2004.

 

4) He holds the franchise record for home runs, a feat not easily accomplished.

 

If Sammy's number is not retired in 6 or so years when he goes into Cooperstown, there is something seriously wrong.

 

Don't use steroids as a rebuttal, because he was never caught, and there is no solid PROOF he used them. Speculation and suspicion, sure, but no proof.

[Larry Horse]

I posted this question in today's game thread, but I think it deserves its own...

 

Personal feelings aside, do you think Sammy's #21 should be retired sometime in the future?

 

I say yes. How can it not be? Consider the reasons below....

 

1) He is a sure bet for first-ballot HOF'er, and he'll go in wearing a Cubs hat.

 

2) He and Mark McGwire brought the game back after the 1994 strike.

 

3) He was the face of the franchise for a lot of the time he was here. When someone said "Cubs", people thought "Sammy Sosa". He was the only reason to watch the terrible teams of 1999, 2000, and 2002. His really only "bad" year as a Cub was 2004.

 

4) He holds the franchise record for home runs, a feat not easily accomplished.

 

If Sammy's number is not retired in 6 or so years when he goes into Cooperstown, there is something seriously wrong.

 

Don't use steroids as a rebuttal, because he was never caught, and there is no solid PROOF he used them. Speculation and suspicion, sure, but no proof.

 

It will never happen.....he ticked off too many fans and more importantly Cubs management, who unfortunately created their own monster. It would be embarrasing to have the ceremonies amongst a parade of boos.

 

And there is not proof, but that's like saying McGuire hasn't been caught so don't accuse him.

[erik316wttn]

I posted this question in today's game thread, but I think it deserves its own...

 

Personal feelings aside, do you think Sammy's #21 should be retired sometime in the future?

 

I say yes. How can it not be? Consider the reasons below....

 

1) He is a sure bet for first-ballot HOF'er, and he'll go in wearing a Cubs hat.

 

2) He and Mark McGwire brought the game back after the 1994 strike.

 

3) He was the face of the franchise for a lot of the time he was here. When someone said "Cubs", people thought "Sammy Sosa". He was the only reason to watch the terrible teams of 1999, 2000, and 2002. His really only "bad" year as a Cub was 2004.

 

4) He holds the franchise record for home runs, a feat not easily accomplished.

 

If Sammy's number is not retired in 6 or so years when he goes into Cooperstown, there is something seriously wrong.

 

Don't use steroids as a rebuttal, because he was never caught, and there is no solid PROOF he used them. Speculation and suspicion, sure, but no proof.

 

It will never happen.....he ticked off too many fans and more importantly Cubs management, who unfortunately created their own monster. It would be embarrasing to have the ceremonies amongst a parade of boos.

 

And there is not proof, but that's like saying McGuire hasn't been caught so don't accuse him.

 

Time heals all wounds. 5,6,7 years down the road, I'm positive fans will cheer him if he comes back for a number retirement ceremony.

[otis89]

Time heals all wounds.

 

Maybe, but until we win a World Series, I'm still mad at Alex Gonzalez bobbling that double play ball.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Yes, his number should be retired. Time heals all wounds and one day it will heal this one too.

 

By the time Sosa enters the HOF and we're ready to retire his number, I figure Baker, Hendry and MacPhail will all be gone.

[TC3_Hinrich12]

Should make this a poll

 

Until Sammy is forgiven for what he did in 2004, walking out on his teammates, he will never get his number retired. That one incident is holding him back. You look at his numbers and what he did before all that, yes his number should be retired. But not until he is forgiven.

[EricG]

they should just issue 21 to some player and see what kind of uproar it creates.

[burnt out cubbie fan]

There is no way that it shouldn't. He single-handedly carried the offense on that 98 team. He was the one thing in the Cubs offense for a long time that teams would be afraid of. He put up the numbers. He put up one of the most impressive 3-4 year stretches in baseball history. He was the Chicago Cubs for most of the late 90s and early 00s. You mentioned the Cubs to somebody outside of Chicago and they brought up Sammy. As much as some of you may hate him, he was probably the best player in the history of the franchise.

[otis89]

Even if it doesn't get retired, I bet it will be unofficially retired. I doubt you'll see another Cubs player wear 21.

[Careless]

I'd certainly retire it. Now what do you think would happen if he actually got a steroid bust?

[UK1679666180]

If he tested positive, no, as it stands now, yes.

[AlwaysaCub]

There is no way that it shouldn't. He single-handedly carried the offense on that 98 team. He was the one thing in the Cubs offense for a long time that teams would be afraid of. He put up the numbers. He put up one of the most impressive 3-4 year stretches in baseball history. He was the Chicago Cubs for most of the late 90s and early 00s. You mentioned the Cubs to somebody outside of Chicago and they brought up Sammy. As much as some of you may hate him, he was probably the best player in the history of the franchise.

 

98 team nothing. Look at his 2001, which is possibly the second best season a hitter has had in the last 20 years. 425 total bases with NOTHING else around him except Fred Mcgriff and Bill Mueller very occasionally.

 

But yes, 21 should be retired, those numbers don't come about very often.

[Bote McBoteface]

I think it should and will be, but only after a while. 6 or 7 years from now when (if) he goes to the hall, we will have all forgotten about 2004, and only the homerun race, the smiling face, the home run in game 1 of the NLCS, and all the other good memories will remain.

 

But, that will take time.

[Mark Priors Calves]

On a completely unrelated noted, Fergie Jenkins should have his number retired with or without Maddux.

[CuseCubFan69]

I see classy players like Banks, Williams, Santo and Sandberg uni's hanging up and flying at Wrigley and think about the class Sosa showed...I just can't say yes.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

No!

 

1. Walking out on your team.

2. Corked Bat.

3. Steroids (will eventually come out)

 

Not what I would call "respect for the game" ...

[treebird]

of course you retire sammy's number. im really surprised it's up for discussion.

[AlwaysaCub]

2. Corked Bat.

 

Does it really matter? I mean, with the modern smaller bat, all the cork does is make the bat less solid, so the ball doesn't travel as far off the bat. The Indians used to have a shop where they corked bats in. It's part of baseball like the spitball, all in good fun.

Edited August 29, 2005 by AlwaysaCub

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Turk Wendell really respected the game, what with all his odd superstitions and such. We should retire his number.

[treebird]

Turk Wendell really respected the game, what with all his odd superstitions and such. We should retire his number.

 

augie for retired numbers!

[Mark Priors Calves]

Turk Wendell really respected the game, what with all his odd superstitions and such. We should retire his number.

 

augie for retired numbers!

 

He once got lost in the infield grass.

[snoodmonger]

of course you retire sammy's number. im really surprised it's up for discussion.

 

My sentiments exactly.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

of course you retire sammy's number. im really surprised it's up for discussion.

 

My sentiments exactly.

 

Mine too.

 

And I agree that Fergie's number should be retired too.

[Mizzou]

No!

 

1. Walking out on your team.

2. Corked Bat.

3. Steroids (will eventually come out)

 

Not what I would call "respect for the game" ...

 

Why do people assume that Sammy was on steroids? Because he's strong? Yeah, that makes sense. :roll:

 

Couldn't be a great workout program or anything like that. It MUST be steroids.

 

And yes, his number should absolutely be retired.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Turk Wendell really respected the game, what with all his odd superstitions and such. We should retire his number.

 

You can't retire Wendell's number 13.... it would bring you bad luck !! :wink: