Sunday, August 24, 2014

Take on the retired numbers

And then there was one, or better yet 2. The Yankees, an
organization steeped in history and tradition, did what they do best,
make a legend out of a very good baseball guy for the some reason that
he wore the pinstripes. The Yankees now have 18 retired numbers (17
really because #8 was retired twice) which is almost double that of
any other team. Of course the Yankees have won more than any other
franchise (27 championships) and have had some of the most iconic
players on their squad (Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio, Mantle) but they also
monopolize the 'tradition' market by seemingly enshrining somebody
into monument park every week which cheapens the entire thing. I
get that O'Neill and Tino and Posada were important members but it
seems like we are about a week from Luis Sojo day.

But when it comes to retiring numbers, they have really cheapened the
experience. Of course 3,4,5,7 and 8 should be retired in the single
digits but there is no reason 1 or 9 should be and even 10 is a so-so
call to me. You can honor your tradition but when every player gets
their number retired there is nothing left. Torre was a manager,
Rizzuto was enshrined as much as a mascot as a player Billy Martin was
fired more times that he was caught drunk driving, Marris has one
incredible season and a couple of great ones but was on the Yankees
about as long as I was. When you get into the double digits with guys
like Reggie who was a great all-time player but was on the Yankees for
a week. I also don't like retiring managers as it should be an honor
reserved for players

I wonder when the Mets will retire Piazza, Edgardo Alfonso and Mr. Met

3 comments:

Mr. R. Lee said...

Whose jersey number did the Yankees retire? Your update didn't say, and the photo is too small on my mobile screen.

Righetti said...

Torre's #6

Unknown said...

How com no bruthas up there, blood? Only Reggie.

Now DATSS sum fukked up sheeiat. RACIALISTS!!!