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I don't think retiring numbers should have a formula. Unlike the Hall of Fame, I think a lot more than performance on the field can/should be taken into account. With Reggie, for example, #44 defined a very brief and volatile era. I don't think the history of the Yankees could be written without Reggie Jackson playing a prominent role.

You could quibble with a few of the numbers in Monument Park, but I don't think any are egregious.

So of the recent Yanks, Jeter, Mariano and Bernie qualify for retired numbers. Am I missing anyone?

You could probably add Alex Rodriguez to that list too. If Posada holds on and starts to create a HOF case, he's got to be considered.

Posada must have some records for a Yankees catcher? Or maybe Yogi has them all! But if not, then Posada could make the grade.

Also, good point. When all is said and done, A-Rod's number is likely to be retired.

Personally, I hope they don’t do it. Nothing against Gossage – it’s just that the retired-number thing is getting way out of hand with the Yankees.
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Not really, if you think about it; the Yankees have had quite the run of outstanding players.

Steve - who's number do you feel should be unretired? From the looks of it, Roger Maris probably doesn't deserve it, but then he did break Ruth's record as a Yankee. Elston Howard isn't all that impressive, I could see him not deserving of it. I guess the only guys left, really, are Casey Stengel and Billy Martin.

I would like to see your rationale for these four Yankees to not have their number retired. Howard should be easy.

Then, I'd like your thoughts on some current Yankees who will have a chance to get their numbers retired: Bernie Williams, Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Alex Rodriguez.

No mentions of Paul O'Neill?

I think Ellie definitely deserved to have his number retired. Not only was he the first African American Yankee, but he also was a very good hitting/defensive catcher (12 ASG, 2 gold gloves, 1 MVP). Heck, if he was elected to the Hall of Fame, Howard wouldn't be the worst catcher enshrined. What's more, Howard had a long tenure as a Yankee coach (he was actually the first African American coach in the American League).

Elston Howard ABSOLUTELY deserves to have his numbered retired.

I also don't get the "no managers" stipulation. If you wear a number, you should be eligible to have it retired.

>> No mentions of Paul O'Neill? >>

Case in point of why we could eventually retire every single uniform number - we have to draw the line somewhere...

Paul O'Neill is case in point of why it's okay, sometimes, to retire a number for purely emotional reasons. Maybe his numbers aren't good enough and he wasn't here long enough, but he's come to symbolize the '90s dynasty team and the fans adore him. So what's wrong with retiring his number? The Yankees, for the most part, have retired numbers based on incredible careers. Most of those retired numbers belong to all-time greats. Putting a Paul O'Neill up there doesn't hurt anyone, and I think it's the right thing to do.

Given how often we wax poetic about the relievers of the dynastic years, shouldn't Stanton, Lloyd, Nelson and Ramiro's numbers be retired?;)

I agree with you totally on this. It's ridiculous how many numbers are retired.

I agree with you totally on this. It's ridiculous how many numbers are retired.
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Which retired number do you object to? The reason they have so many retired numbers is because they had so many great players.

People who had their numbers retired: Yogi Berra, Bill Dickey, Joe DiMaggio, Whitey Ford, Lou Gehrig, Ron Guidry, Elston Howard, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Billy Martin, Don Mattingly, Thurman Munson, Phil Rizzuto, Babe Ruth, Casey Stengel.

Who would you take off that list? Berra, DiMaggio, Ford, Mantle, Ruth and Stengel are no-brainers from a numbers point. Guidry isn't far outside that category. And Munson, Mattingly, Howard and Rizzuto are no-brainers from an emotional standpoint.

I don't think the Yankees have been excessive at all. You can't fault them for having a lot of great players.

Paul O'Neill is where I'd draw the line. As much as we all love the Warrior, I think it is inaccurate to portray him as the symbol of the 1990s teams. If anyone, Jeter or Rivera would be that symbol. What's more, you have so many other great and beloved Yankees such as Bernie, Pettitte, Posada and Tino all hailing from that era. Of the modern group, I think Jeter, Torre, Rivera, Bernie and Arod will all definitely gave their numbers retired with Posada getting very close.

O'Neill doesn't symbolize the no-stars, no-ego, play-till-you-bleed, we're-a-team, blah, blah, blah '90s dynasty? I completely disagree with you. Jeter's a megastar, but he has no personality. Ditto Mo, who played like a god.

I hate to get into that almighty of sports cliches, but if anyone ever truly was the "fiery heart and soul" of a team, it was O'Neill. Jeter, Rivera and Bernie might have been more valuable, but was anyone more beloved on that team than Paul? I don't think so. I think the love of O'Neill is only a notch below the love of Don Mattingly.

I guess we'll have to disagree...as someone immersed in everything Yankees, I have never gotten the impression that Paul O'Neill was as revered as you seem to suggest. He is definitely possible, but, in my observation, he doesn't come close to the level you suggest.

I meant popular...not possible...in the post above.

I have never gotten the impression that Paul O'Neill was as revered as you seem to suggest
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Gm 5, 2001 World Series.

I guess one other indicator is that #21 hasn't been reissued since he retired.

A lot of Yankees have since gotten the Paul O'neill chant treatment. Most recently, Bernie was treated to an impressive level of love. If you don't think Mariano and Jeter will be showered with even more affection, well, I guess we have vastly different perspectives.

Mo's number 42 is retired from all of baseball, not that his Yanks number would not have been retired. Bernie, Jeter, A-Rod and probably Jorge are nearly certain to have their numbers retired. I don't see Torre as a lock. Joe McCarthy's not on the list, nor is Miller Huggins. Although Torre's numbers are superior in terms of WS wins and playoff appearances, for some reason, I see it as a definite maybe. Billy had two careers as a Yankee player and manager; Casey was an icon for all of baseball, as well as an extremely successful manager with the Yanks. Maybe it's the way Torre's tenure ended, I don't know. They're not about to issue #6 any time soon, I wouldn't think. BTW, was #1 retired before or after Billy crashed? I think when Murcer came back he wore #2, right?

I think Charles Gipson's number should be retired.

I've always thought that they should have a semi-retirement of some numbers, and a full retirement for the very best.

If a player or manager has had a great Yankee career but doesnt quite make it to the HOF or that level, then retire his number for the rest of his life, or 50 years or so.

In fact, maybe the decision to permanently retire the number should wait till after the 50 years are up - that way you dont have to categorize the honor at the time you bestow it, plus the final decision can be made by a future generation who will have a better sense of where the player fits into the overall history.