Should Sammy's number be retired?

[Chocolate Milk]

I think it eventually will but I also think that it's possible (not likely) that it isn't. Here's why:

 

If in 6-8 years, the power numbers keep decreasing and the steroid/hgh testing becomes better and more severe, it's likely that the decade of Sammy's best play will be looked down upon as a dirty era. Like it or not, I think, historically speaking, that Sammy and McGuire are going to be the poster boys of this "steroid era." Sure, they never got caught, but most people outside this City (Fans of the Cubs) beleive that both Sammy and McGurie were roid maniacs. Depending on how big the backlash becomes over the steroid thing in the next 8 years or so, I could see something like a "unspoken rule" to give these guys as little recognition as possible.

[CubsFan4Life]

If nobody proves he was on roids, then I expect him to get his number retired.

[Derwood]

It will be interesting. The Cubs are probably the stingiest team with retiring numbers. I mean, 120 years and just 4 retired numbers?

 

Not to be overly picky here.... but the CUBS (Colts, Orphans, White Stockings) are in their 130th season in the National League, but they've only had player numbers on their uniforms for 75 years now.

 

That being said, look how many retired numbers they have compared to the Cardinals, Dodgers, etc. Granted, teams like the Yankees have had far more legendary players, but only 4 retired by the Cubs? Have they lacked superstardom that much in all their years?

[EricG]

they should put it on a flag with an "X" over it like on the sammyisgone.com t-shirt, see google ads.

[Fred Hornkohl]

It will be interesting. The Cubs are probably the stingiest team with retiring numbers. I mean, 120 years and just 4 retired numbers?

 

Not to be overly picky here.... but the CUBS (Colts, Orphans, White Stockings) are in their 130th season in the National League, but they've only had player numbers on their uniforms for 75 years now.

 

That being said, look how many retired numbers they have compared to the Cardinals, Dodgers, etc. Granted, teams like the Yankees have had far more legendary players, but only 4 retired by the Cubs? Have they lacked superstardom that much in all their years?

 

Honestly, I must plead ignorance when it comes to retired uniform numbers on other teams. (Cardinals, Dodgers, etc.). Whether the CUBS have lacked superstardom over the period...... well, you tell me.....

 

          1930 thru 2004                            World Series
team                        W       L     pct    PA     W     L

Los Angeles Dodgers      6400    5358   0.544    21     6    10
St. Louis Cardinals      6347    5402   0.540    19     8     6
San Francisco Giants     6150    5603   0.523    13     2     6
Atlanta Braves           5967    5761   0.509    18     2     6
Cincinnati Reds          5969    5797   0.507    11     4     4
Pittsburgh Pirates       5811    5921   0.495    10     3     0
Chicago Cubs             5688    6061   0.484     8     0     4
Philadelphia Phillies    5391    6331   0.460     8     1     3

[Derwood]

Here is the definitive list:

 

Retired Numbers in the MLB

MLB - Jackie Robinson (42)

ARZ - (0)

ATL - (5)

- Dale  Murphy
- Warren Spahn
- Phil Niekro
- Eddie Matthews
- Henry Aaron

BAL - (6)

- Earl Weaver
- Cal Ripken, Jr.
- Brooks Robinson
- Frank Robinson
- Jim Palmer
- Eddie Murray

BOS - (5)

- Bobby Doerr
- Joe Cronin
- Cary Yastremski
- Ted Williams
- Carlton Fisk

CHC - (4)

- Ron Santo
- Ernie Banks
- Ryne Sandberg
- Billy Williams

CHW - (8)

- Nellie Fox
- Harold Baines
- Luke Appling
- Minnie Minoso
- Luis Aparacio
- Ted Lyons
- Billy Pierce
- Carlton Fisk

CIN - (6)

- Fred Hutchinson
- Johnny Bench
- Joe Morgan
- Ted Kluszewski
- Frank Robinson
- Tony Perez

CLE - (6)

- Earl Averill
- Lou Boudreau
- Larry Doby
- Mel Harder
- Bob Feller
- Bob Lemon

COL - (0)

DET - (6)

- Ty Cobb
- Charlie Gehringer
- Hank Greenberg
- Al Kaline
- Hal Newhouser
- Willie Horton

FLA - (0)

HOU - (7)

- Jimmy Wynn
- Jose Cruz
- Jim Umbricht
- Mike Scott
- Nolan Ryan
- Don Wilson
- Larry Dierker

KC - (3)

- George Brett
- Dick Howser
- Frank White

LAA - (5)

- Jim Fregosi
- Gene Autrey
- Rod Carew
- Nolan Ryan
- Jimmie Reese

LAD - (10)

- Pee Wee Reese
- Tommy Lasorda
- Duke Snider
- Jim Gilliam
- Don Sutton
- Walter Alston
- Sandy Koufax
- Roy Campanella
- Jackie Robinson
- Don Drysdale

MIL - (4)

- Paul Molitor
- Robin Yount
- Rollie Fingers
- Henry Aaron

MIN - (5)

- Harmon Kilebrew
- Tony Oliva
- Kent Hrbek
- Rod Carew
- Kirby Puckett

MON/WSH - (4)

- Gary Carter
- Rusty Staub
- Andre Dawson
- Tim Raines

NYM - (3)

- Gil Hodges
- Casey Stengel
- Tom Seaver

NYY - (16)

- Billy Martin
- Joe DiMaggio
- Babe Ruth
- Lou Gehrig
- Micky Mantle
- Bill Dickey
- Yogi Berra
- Roger Maris
- Phil Rizzuto
- Thurman Munson
- Whitey Ford
- Don Mattingly
- Elston Howard
- Casey Stengel
- Reggie Jackson
- Ron Guidry

OAK - (4)

- Dennis Eckersly
- Rollie Fingers
- Reggie Jackson
- Jim Hunter

PHI - (7)

- Pete Alexander
- Chuck Klein
- Richie Ashburn
- Jim Bunning
- Mike Schmidt
- Steve Carlton
- Robin Roberts

PIT - (8)

- Billy Meyer
- Ralph Kiner
- Willie Stargell
- Bill Mazeroski
- Pie Traynor
- Roberto Clemente
- Honus Wagner
- Danny Murtaugh

SD - (4)

- Steve Garvey
- Tony Gwynn
- Dave Winfield
- Randy Jones

SF - (10)

- Christy Mathewson
- John McGraw
- Bill Terry
- Mel Ott
- Carl Hubbell
- Willie Mays
- Juan Marichal
- Orlando Cepeda
- Gaylord Perry
- Willie McCovey

SEA - (0)

STL - (10)

- Rogers Hornsby
- Ozzie Smith
- Red Schoendienst
- Stan Musial
- Enos Slaughter
- Ken Boyer
- Dizzy Dean
- Lou Brock
- Bob Gibson
- August Busch, Jr.

TB - (1)

- Wade Boggs

TEX - (1)

- Nolan Ryan

TOR - (0)

Edited August 29, 2005 by Derwood

[treebird]

It will be interesting. The Cubs are probably the stingiest team with retiring numbers. I mean, 120 years and just 4 retired numbers?

 

Not to be overly picky here.... but the CUBS (Colts, Orphans, White Stockings) are in their 130th season in the National League, but they've only had player numbers on their uniforms for 75 years now.

 

That being said, look how many retired numbers they have compared to the Cardinals, Dodgers, etc. Granted, teams like the Yankees have had far more legendary players, but only 4 retired by the Cubs? Have they lacked superstardom that much in all their years?

 

Honestly, I must plead ignorance when it comes to retired uniform numbers on other teams. (Cardinals, Dodgers, etc.). Whether the CUBS have lacked superstardom over the period...... well, you tell me.....

 

          1930 thru 2004                            World Series
team                        W       L     pct    PA     W     L

Los Angeles Dodgers      6400    5358   0.544    21     6    10
St. Louis Cardinals      6347    5402   0.540    19     8     6
San Francisco Giants     6150    5603   0.523    13     2     6
Atlanta Braves           5967    5761   0.509    18     2     6
Cincinnati Reds          5969    5797   0.507    11     4     4
Pittsburgh Pirates       5811    5921   0.495    10     3     0
Chicago Cubs             5688    6061   0.484     8     0     4
Philadelphia Phillies    5391    6331   0.460     8     1     3

 

the reason the cubs never win the world series is because they're cursed, not because they've had bad teams, right?

[The Voice of Reason]

Yes, Sammy's number should be retired but the fans should leave early that day (before the ceremony).

[Brian]

Here is the definitive list:

 

Retired Numbers in the MLB

MLB - Jackie Robinson (45)

 

I don't get that, with out even looking anything up I know at least Will Ohman uses 45, when I first read that I got the impression that 45 was univerally retired...

[Derwood]

Here is the definitive list:

 

Retired Numbers in the MLB

MLB - Jackie Robinson (45)

 

I don't get that, with out even looking anything up I know at least Will Ohman uses 45, when I first read that I got the impression that 45 was univerally retired...

 

That would be because Robinson's # was actually 42, and I mistyped :oops:

 

Fixed in original post.

[biittner77]

Time heals all wounds.

 

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

 

I'm still upset that Baker didn't go out and round-up the troops after the Bartman play. I still can't fathom why he didn't go out and talk to everyone.

 

Thats something only a good manager would do. Dusty doesn't bother himself with that stuff.

 

Supposedly, from the dugout they didn't really know what had happened/ didn't see it very well since they didn't have the benefit of seeing the replay 300 times. They had little reason to suspect that Moises Alou of all people would go into the stands to catch a ball.

 

If you want to blame Baker, blame him for leaving Prior in too long during the blowout. That led to him running out of gas and leaving a hanging curve to Irod and serving up a fat pitch to Derek Lee.

[Flames24Rulz]

little late on this thread, but i said it in the game thread too...Sosa definitely deserves his number retired. I also agree I don't want to see it for another 5 years or so because of the fans that still hold a grudge against him. IMO it's not really a matter of if they're going to retire Sosa's number, but when. The Cubs organization would be very very stupid to not retire Sosa's number.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Yes, Sammy's number should be retired but the fans should leave early that day (before the ceremony).

 

Well played !! :thumright:

[hardcorecubfan]

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.

 

don't ever say never, it may but in 22.1 years, when time heals wounds and we look back at the 90's with nostalgia.

[rocket]

when a runner was on second with less than 2 outs sammy NEVER hit a groundout to the 2nd baseman so NO WAY

[Holy Cow]

when a runner was on second with less than 2 outs sammy NEVER hit a groundout to the 2nd baseman so NO WAY

 

NO SAC FLIES AND WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU SAW SAMMY BUNT! HE SUKS!!@!