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April 05, 2008

A Different Idea About Retiring Uniform Numbers

The Scranton Times Tribune has a feature today on Yankees retired uniform numbers and the Paul O'Neill/La Troy Hawkins situation. Three months ago, I offered a suggested guideline on determining who's number should be retired in Yankeeland.

Since that time, I've come up with a new idea: No "retired" numbers. Instead, if the player was beloved, then no one can wear his number for "X" years (following his retirement) where "X" was the number of years that the beloved player was on the team. After that, the number is allowed to be used again. For example: If Joe Star played for the Yankees for 15 years, and he was beloved by the fans, then, after he retires, no one can wear his number for the next 15 years. But, after those 15 years, it's put back into circulation.

You can still do something for the player - like maybe a "Circle" or "Wall" of Fame - where you can put his name up there. And, you can still do something for those Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle types - like put up a statue for them. But, stop the practice of taking the number off the field forever.

Besides, it may be a better way to remember the player - when his number comes back into play. I could see it now: "Jim Prospect was assigned number #12. It had been reserved for the 8 years following Mike Beloved's retirement. I'm sure it's a great honor for Jim to have that number. And, when fans see it now, they'll think of both Jim and Mike."

What do you think of this idea? Should the Yankees take all their retired numbers, and put them back into use, and then use this idea going forward?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at April 5, 2008 11:54 AM

Comments

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Posted by: Joel [TypeKey Profile Page] at April 5, 2008 09:54 PM