Bucketfoot Baseball Newsletter - Retired Uniform Numbers of Major League Teams

Retired Uniform Numbers of Major League Teams
(With Bucketfoot Commentary, of Course)

In the era of free agency, it has become rare that a star player stays with one team for even the majority of his career. The fact that George Brett, Cal Ripken, Tony Gwynn, and Kirby Puckett come so readily to mind is not only testament to their impact on the game but testament as well to how rare it has become for a star player to play out his career with one franchise. Those few that do stay with one team are not only the rare exception, they are notable.

Jason Giambi is a perfect example of how free agency has denied the majority of fans the opportunity to identify an era of their favorite franchise with a player. Where this used to be commonplace, it is today far, far too rare. If you believe all that Jason Giambi had been saying up to the point the Yankees offered him more money than the Athletics, he had no logical reason for leaving the Athletics and their fans. But, as has become the norm, after saying "it’s not about the money," Giambi, like so many before, gleefully signed the contract with the most dollars attached to it.

Had Giambi stayed in Oakland, he would have defined the Athletics of this era. He would have been "Mr. Oakland Athletic" and would rightly have had his number retired by Oakland. Instead Oakland fans have lost an opportunity to experience that rare player and Giambi, instead of defining an era a la Ernie Banks or Duke Snider, will be remembered, if at all, as a supporting cast member of Derek Jeter’s Yankees. Lucky for Giambi he picked the Yankees to fly to, though. For next to buying the best players off of other teams, there is nothing George Steinbrenner likes more than retiring numbers. So maybe Giambi has a shot.

Greg Maddux is a less recent example of a dominant player that switched teams. He will be remembered as a member of the Atlanta Braves. However, if not for free agency, he would have more than likely spent his career at Wrigley Field. How sweet would that have been for Cubs fans?

Instead what do fans get? Silliness like the Tampa Bay Devil Rays retiring Wade Boggs’ number, the Yankees retiring Reggie Jackson’s number, the Brewers retiring the number of Hank Aaron and Rollie Fingers, etc.

Following is a comprehensive list of those numbers retired by teams, with Bucketfoot’s typically opinionated observations regarding those retirements and suggestions for numbers that should be retired. An examination of the retirements discloses the lack of a uniform standard for the retirement of a number among teams. Also included is a listing of players whose careers were worthy of having a jersey number retired except for the fact that the player’s played before the inclusion of numbers on uniforms.

Player Number With Team Retired

ANAHEIM ANGELS - CALIFORNIA ANGELS - LOS ANGELES ANGELS
Gene Autry (Owner) #26, 1982	Autry was an owner. Owners don’t wear uniforms and therefore don’t have uniform numbers. To assign a number to an owner for the purpose of retiring the number is silly. Do like Oakland did with popular owner Walter Haas and just put the owner’s name on the back of a jersey painted on the outfield wall.
Rod Carew #29, 1991	Uh, didn’t Carew play for the Twins? After 19 years and seven batting titles Carew definitely deserves to have his number retired–by the Twins and they did that. Carew won all seven of his batting titles for the Twins. The Carew who played for the Angels was a good-not-great player.
Nolan Ryan #30, 1992	If you just looked at Ryan’s numbers with the Angels he doesn’t rate a retirement; however, Nolan Ryan has become bigger than life. He is most remembered for his tenure with the Rangers. This is because it was with them that he piled up all of those milestones. He was probably at his peak when he was a member of the Angels, striking out batters like he was Danny Almonte. While his retirement by the Angels is a stretch, it’s tough to knock any honor paid the Express.
Jimmie Reese (Coach) #50, 1995	A lovable guy who spent 50 years in baseball. Despite its sentimental roots, this retirement by the Angels brass was a class move.
What are they waiting for?	No one else is worthy. Hey, the team hasn’t been that good.
Current players with a shot:	Darin Erstad is going to leave as soon as he becomes a free agent. Tim Salmon and Garrett Anderson have become very ordinary. So the answer is none.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
None	The franchise is only four years old.
What are they waiting for?	Sadly and inappropriately the tradition starved Diamondbacks will retire the number of Randy Johnson shortly after his retirement. It’s like all of those years with the Mariners didn’t happen. 75 years from now, the retirement will look silly because Johnson will have spent so few years of his career with the team..
Current players with a shot:	The aforementioned Randy Johnson and for as long as the instant-gratification-minded Colangelo owns the team, anybody else who has a good two-to-three years with the Diamondbacks.
ATLANTA BRAVES - MILWAUKEE BRAVES - BOSTON BRAVES
Dale Murphy #3, 1994	He was "Mr. Braves" during the 1980s. A force on the field he was also the kind of person Steve Garvey only pretended to be.
Warren Spahn #21, 1965	Talk about a no brainer.
Phil Niekro #35, 1984	Another no brainer. 20 years with the Braves.
Eddie Matthews #41, 1969	The only player to play for one franchise in three different cities Matthews also hit over 500 home runs for the Braves.
Henry Aaron #44, 1977	It is insulting to Aaron’s career with the Braves that the Brewers actually retired his number–thank you Bud Selig.
Note:	The Braves get a perfect score for retiring only the numbers of players who 1) deserved it and 2) are best remembered as playing for the Braves.
What are they waiting for?	None
Current players with a shot:	The Braves budget means they should be able to hang on to their stars, so someday we will see the number of Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz and Chipper Jones. Javie Lopez isn’t good enough to rate a retirement.
Before they wore numbers:	None.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES - ST. LOUIS BROWNS
Earl Weaver (Manager) #4 1982	Even Ron Luciano would agree.
Brooks Robinson #5, 1977	A no-brainer and just as importantly, one of Bucketfoot’s very favorite non-Athletics.
Frank Robinson #20, 1972	Great player, lousy manager. Scotland Yard has yet to figure out why the Reds traded him.
Jim Palmer #22, 1985	Obviously deserving. Now, if he would just stay away from the tanning booth.
Eddie Murray #33, 1998	He spent half of his career playing elsewhere. He hit over 500 career home runs but never as many as 40 in a season. He was a good player for a very long time. Due to the presence of Boog Powell Murray is not even their best first baseman. Not worthy of a number.
What are they waiting for?	Cal Ripken, Jr. will have his number retired, and deservedly so, ASAP. Don’t expect to see Albert "Joey" Belle’s number up there any time soon.
Current players with a shot:	None. And none in the farm system either.
Before they wore numbers:	Ken Williams. Williams was the heart and soul of the St. Louis Browns in the 1920s. The problem is he is all the had. His misfortune was in playing for the always-very-bad St. Louis Browns before they moved to Baltimore.
BOSTON RED SOX
Bobby Doerr #1, 1988	The BoSox best-ever second baseman.
Joe Cronin #4, 1984	Two decades as a very good player and good manager. Not good enough to rate as a player and not good enough to rate as a manager, but put it all together and you get no argument from Bucketfoot.
Carl Yastrzemski #8, 1989	Duh.
Ted Williams #9, 1960	They should retire not only his number but every multiple of it as well.
Carlton Fisk #27, 2000	So much more than the home run.
Note:	The BoSox would get a perfect score except for the fact that Wade Boggs number has been retired by the Devil Rays. The BoSox should have filed a lawsuit to prevent such blasphemy. Their failure brought shame upon Yawkeyville.
What are they waiting for?	None.
Current players with a shot:	Given the BoSox high standards, only Nomar Garciaparra has a legitimate shot. Pedro Martinez will not have been a Red Sox player long enough.
Before they wore numbers:	Cy Young, Jimmy Collins.
CHICAGO CUBS
Ernie Banks #14, 1992	Mr. Cub belongs.
Billy Williams #26, 1987	A great player who had a wonderful career in ChiTown.
What are the waiting for?	Ryne Sandberg. Ryno defined the Cubs for a decade and was arguably the dominant second baseman of his era.
Current players with a shot:	Slammin’ Sammy Sosa is a lock to have his number retired. No one else.
Before they wore numbers:	Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown because he was a truly great pitcher who had a long career of which most was spent in a Cubs uniform. Frank Chance because he was a very good player, served as manager form many years, and there is that double play legend.
Note:	Tinker and Evers just weren’t good enough, even with the double play legend. In truth, they weren’t even a great double play combo.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Nellie Fox #2, 1976	Nellie was a very good player but quite simply was not worthy of having his number retired.
Harold Baines #3, 1989	In one of the all-time non-Bud-Selig-dumb-moves, after nine-and-a-half years with the ChiSox, the team traded Baines and then retired his number. Huh? Baines went on to play for the Rangers, Athletics, Orioles, White Sox (again) and Orioles (again). At the time of his trade from the ChiSox, Baines had played in four all-star games and led the league in slugging one time. That’s it. He played in one more all-star game (for Oakland in 1991, a manager’s selection) and never led the league in anything else. He didn’t deserve to have his number retired at the end of his career, let alone the middle. Just plain dumb. And to make matters worse, Babe Ruth wore number 3.
Luke Appling #4, 1975	Luke Appling was a very, very good player who played over 2,000 games at shortstop for the ChiSox over his 20year career–spent entirely with the White Sox.
Minnie Minoso #9, 1983	Minoso’s career is defined by his having played at least one game in four decades. This was accomplished as a publicity stunt. So too was the retirement of his number. Take it off the wall and give it to a rookie.
Luis Aparicio #11, 1984	Stolen bases, great glove, deserves the honor.
Ted Lyons #16 1987	It’s a shame that most fans don’t even know who this great player was. He deserves to have his number on the wall like many others who played in his generation but are overlooked in favor of contemporary players who enjoy high popularity. Here’s a Saturday project for you. Look over Lyons’ career statistics and then look over Baines’ career statistics and decide which one deserves to have his number retired based on merit.)
Billy Pierce #19, 1987	Over a decade (the 1950s) as the team’s ace and an All Star seven times.
Carlton Fisk #72, 1997	13 years with the White Sox. He belongs.
What are they waiting for?	None (see below)
Current players with a shot:	None (see below)
Note:	Any team dumb enough to have retired Harold Baines’ number doesn’t deserve to retire another player’s number–ever. (With apologies to Frank Thomas).
CINCINNATI REDS
Fred Hutchinson (Manager) #1, 1965	He managed them to the National League flag in 1961, but if the Reds are going to retire a manager’s uniform number don’t you think it ought to be some guy named Anderson or even McKechnie.
Johnny Bench #5, 1984	One of the greatest catchers of all time and a Reds player for life.
Joe Morgan #8, 1998	One of the worst announcers of all time but worthy of a number retirement nonetheless for his on-the-field career.
Ted Kluszewski #18 1998	The Reds big slugger throughout the 1950s.
Frank Robinson #20, 1998	So why did they ever trade him?
Tony Perez #27, 2000	Good player who does not belong in the Hall of Fame. However, his number being retired seems right.
What are they waiting for?	George "Sparky" Anderson (10).
Current players with a shot:	Ken Griffey, Jr., seems a lock if he finishes his career in Cincy. He should also have his number retired by Seattle.
Before they wore numbers:	Eppa Rixey. Rixey anchored the Reds staff for 13 years, winning at least 20 games three time and 19 games two twice.
CLEVELAND INDIANS
Earl Averill #3, 1975	Retiring Earl Averill’s number is cool.
Lou Boudreau #5, 1970	Very deserving. A great player and a very good manager (especially given his young age).
Larry Doby #14, 1994	The American League’s Jackie Robinson. It’s a shame that he is known as such when he went through just as much.
Mel Harder #18,1990	20 years and 223 wins all for Cleveland. Uh, yeah, he deserves to have his number retired by the team.
Bob Feller #19 1956	The Tribe’s greatest pitcher ever–and they have had some dandies.
Bob Lemon #21 1998	Only question is why did they wait so long.
Current players with a shot:	Jim Thome. He is really good, probably not going anywhere via free agency or trade and the fans love him.
Before they wore numbers:	Tris Speaker. Played for the BoSox too, but he spent more years and his best years spent with the Tribe.
COLORADO ROCKIES
None
What are they waiting for?	None
Current players with a shot:	Larry Walker. The franchise played its first game in 1993. After spending six years in baseball’s version of Siberia (Montreal), Walker came to the Rockies and has been not only their most productive player but, over their short history, their most popular. Assuming Walker ends his career with the Rockies, something he should do, his will be the first Rockies number retired. Todd Helton. It’s awful early to make this call but Helton hits a ton, the fans love him, Colorado can afford to keep him, and he is best off staying there.
DETROIT TIGERS
Charlie Gehringer #2, 1983	Tigers best-ever second baseman.
Hank Greenberg #5, 1983	The original "Hammerin’ Hank," Greenberg rivaled Jimmie Foxx.
Al Kaline# 6, 1980	What Yaz is to the BoSox, Kaline is to Detroit.
Hal Newhouser #16, 1997	Two MVPs during WWII and so much more.
Willie Horton #23, 2000	Was this in his contract? Does he own part of the team? Does he have a video of the owner with a sheep? Yes he spent parts of 15 seasons with the Tigers, but he just wasn’t anything special. He led the league in zero categories over an 18-year career. Lowers the bar.
What are they waiting for?	Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell.
Current players with a shot.	Bobby Higginson. He is VERY popular and plays the game the way it should be played. He needs to raise his game up just one notch and he’s in.
Before they wore numbers:	Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford.
FLORIDA MARLINS
Carl Barger (Executive) #5, 1993	A sentimental choice that belies logic. The Marlins played their first game in 1993 and that same year retired a number for a man who never took the field as a player, manager, coach or bat boy. While it is true that Without Barger the Marlins would probably not have been one of the 1993 expansion teams, it is silly to retire a number for the man who never one. The Marlins should have just slapped his name on a painted jersey the way Oakland has done for popular former owner Walter Haas.
What are they waiting for?	Someone else to die.
Current players with a shot:	Charles Johnson. While he won’t deserve it, this team was dumb enough to give Barger a number.
HOUSTON ASTROS - HOUSTON COLT 45's
Jose Cruz #25, 1992	Cruz spent 13 years of his 19-year career wearing ugly Astros uniforms, so, in a way he deserves it (even though he was mediocre). But in truth, bad fashion sense should not get your number retired.
Jim Umbricht #32, 1964	Umbricht pitched two years for Houston (62-63) and went a combined 8-3. He died in the Spring of 64. One of those number retirements that was done because the guy died. Very sorry he died. Doesn’t deserve a retirement of his number.
Mike Scott #33, 1992	No problem here. Was their ace for years and tossed a no-hitter in a division clinching game. Cool.
Nolan Ryan #34, 1996	Again, no problem. Ryan was all that has ever been good about baseball and then some.
Don Wilson #40, 1975	Wilson spent his entire nine-year career with the Astros then sadly died in January prior to the 1965 season. But the fact is he was mediocre. His number should not be retired. Name a street after him.
What are they waiting for?	None.
Current players with a shot:	Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
George Brett #5, 1994	Duh.
Dick Howser (Manager) #10, 1987	Very popular manager who took them to the top then sadly died.
Frank White #20, 1995	White played 18 years, all of them with the Royals and did a better than average job. No problem here.
What are they waiting for:	Dan Quisenberry.
Current players with a shot:	None. They will all leave.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS - BROOKLYN DODGERS
Pee Wee Reese #1, 1984	Only question is why did they wait until 1984. Possible answer: he wasn’t that good but he was that popular.
Tommy Lasorda #2 1997	Duh.
Duke Snider #4, 1980	The stuff of legend.
Jim Gilliam #19, 1978	Not worthy. A good player for many years, but not that good and nothing special.
Don Sutton #20, 1998	Won 300 games because he stayed around for 300 years.
Walter Alston #24, 1977	Duh.
Sandy Koufax #32, 1977	A poor pitcher for the first half of his career. A Hall-of-Famer the second half of his career. They should have retired half of his number.
Roy Campanella #39, 1972	An all-time great who deserves his number on the wall.
Jackie Robinson #42, 1972	It is appropriate that the Dodgers retired his number. MLB should not have.
Don Drysdale #53, 1984	Very good. Part of a legendary tandem. OK.
What are they waiting for?	None.
Current players with a shot:	None.
Before they wore numbers:	Wilbert Robinson.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
Jackie Robinson #42, 1997	Bud Selig’s disingenuous political correctness gone awry. And if Robinson, why not also Larry Doby who had to put up with the same rash of insults and disgraceful treatment that Robinson endured?)
MILWAUKEE BREWERS - SEATTLE PILOTS
Paul Molitor #4, 1999	Left for greener pastures and should have been allowed to take his uniform with him.
Robin Yount #19, 1994	Mr. Brewer. Is to Milwaukee what Giambi could have been in Oakland.
Rollie Fingers #34, 1992	This makes about as much sense as electing Hillary Clinton to serve as one of New York’s Senators. The Brewers should be required to show Fingers in an Oakland jersey. But then, how can one expect logic from a franchise with Bud Selig at the helm?
Henry Aaron #44, 1976	If it wasn’t for the retirement of Fingers’ number, this would be the Brewers dumbest retirement. Sure Hank played 14 years in Milwaukee, but 12 of those years were for the Braves. Aaron hit all of 22 home runs for the Brewers. This is so dumb it can only be assumed that Selig consulted with Steinbrenner.
What are they waiting for?	None.
Current players with a shot:	None.
MINNESOTA TWINS - WAHINGTON SENATORS
Harmon Killebrew #3, 1975	An all-time great, he remains a class act to this day.
Tony Oliva #6, 1991	Special. Oliva had a wonderful career and was a fan favorite.
Kent Hrbek #14, 1995	Hrbek was a good player who played his entire career with the Twins. Over the course of his 14-year career, Hrbek never once led the league in any offensive category. But wait, he did lead the league in fielding percentage for first basemen in 1990, oh that explains the retirement of his number. Geez, Is that is all it takes to get your number retired in Minneapolis?
Rod Carew #29, 1987	Twins, yes. Angels, no.
Kirby Puckett #34, 1997	Even more special that Oliva.
What are they waiting for?	Sam Rice (#22) spent nineteen of his 20 years in the majors with the franchise. He is the franchise’s all-time career leader in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles and triples. He is second all-time in extra-base hits, total bases, games and stolen bases, third in batting average, and fourth in RBI. Uh, he might be deserving. Joe Judge (6) spent 18 years with the franchise and ranks near Rice in most offensive categories. Because #6 has been retired for Tony Oliva, the Twins/Senators should add Joe Judge to the number. Tom Kelly. Sixteen years at the helm and two world titles.
Current players with a shot:	Brad Radke. He stayed when he could have left.
Before they wore numbers:	Walter Johnson–the greatest right-handed pitcher of all-time.
MONTREAL EXPOS
Gary Carter #8, 1993	Why not Cooperstown? Carter was a dominant catcher for years and while he didn’t hit 500 home runs he was the best at his position for a generation.
Rusty Staub #10, 1993	Staub played only three-and-one-half seasons in Montreal. How is it that he deserves to share a retired number with Andre Dawson but Steve Rogers is not deemed worthy of the honor? Must be frozen brains from those cold Canadian winters.
Andre Dawson #10, 1997	Hey, didn’t all these guys bolt the team as soon as they got the chance?
What are they waiting for:	Steve Rogers (45) is the franchise career all-time leader in wins, strike outs, innings, complete games, and shut outs. Helloooo? Is anybody in Montreal listening?
NEW YORK METS
Gil Hodges #14, 1972	Hodges had a great career playing for a team other than the Mets. Managing a team to a world series win should not be enough get your number retired when you were only at the helm for four years.
Casey Stengel (Manager) #37, 1970	Stengel had a great career–just not with the Mets. They should not have retired his number.
Tom Seaver #41, 1988	It seems odd that he ever pitched for another team.
What are they waiting for?	None.
Current players with a shot:	Mike Piazza, because he’s an offense force behind the plate and the Mets can afford to keep him. He should have been a Dodger for life. Hey, maybe the Marlins will retire his number.
Before they wore numbers:	Before they wore numbers they never heard of the Mets.
NEW YORK YANKEES - NEW YORK HIGHLANDERS
Billy Martin #1, 1988	So let me get this straight, the guy was (perceived to be) bad enough to fired five times and yet he gets his number retired. Either Steinbrenner is stupid (among so many other reasons) because he hired a bad manager five times, or he is stupid because he fired a good manager five times. Take your pick.
Babe Ruth #3, 1948	Simply the greatest.
Lou Gehrig #4, 1939	Duh.
Joe DiMaggio #5, 1952	The second best outfielder of his era (to Ted Williams).
Mickey Mantle #7, 1969	The second best outfielder of his era (to Willie Mays).
Bill Dickey #8, 1972	If he didn’t play for the Yankees he would be considered only very good. Worthy of a number retirement?
Yogi Berra #8, 1972	Similar to Dickey, fortunate to have played on the Yankees. Worthy of having his number retired?
Roger Maris #9, 1984	61. OK. But he really didn’t spend much time in pinstripes.
Phil Rizzuto #10, 1985	Not that great but he was a longtime cog and very popular.
Thurman Munson #15, 1979	Only retired because he expired. Don’t get mad Yankees fans, it’s true. He didn’t play long enough due to his sadly early demise in a plane crash.
Whitey Ford #16, 1974	No problem even though he wasn’t great, just good.
Don Mattingly #23, 1997	O-v-e-r-r-a-t-e-d. Not going to Cooperstown but worthy of a number retirement because he defined the Yankees during their worst decade since the teens. His career took a real downturn after he hurt his back. He benefited from the reputation he established before his performance became mediocre (which covered the second half of his career).
Elston Howard #32 1984	They retired his number because it was the popular thing to do not because he deserved it.
Casey Stengel #37, 1970	Yankees, yes. Mets, no.
Reggie Jackson #44, 1993	His number is retired because he hit three home runs in a world series game. That should not be enough. Besides, a bigger jerk in baseball there has never been.
Before they wore numbers:	The Yankees were called the highlanders and they sucked.
Current players with a shot:	All of them as long as Steinbrenner owns the team. Legitimately, Derek Jeter and Andy Pettitte. What will be a shame is if Steinbrenner retires Roger Clemens number after Clemens spends but a few seasons in pinstripes. The Rocket was launched by the Red Sox and should be remembered as such.
Note:	If the Yankees retire a few more numbers they won’t have enough numbers left to assign to active players and will be unable to field a team...hey, how about that Steve Howe?)
OAKLAND ATHLETICS - KANSAS CITY A’S - PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS
James "Catfish" Hunter #27, 1990	The franchise ace in the Oakland years. Catfish was beyond a fan favorite. He is legendary in Oakland because he tossed perfect game in the franchise’s first year in Oakland and never came down until he flew the Finley coup.
Rollie Fingers #34, 1993	The first real "closer" was nothing short of dominant. Fingers remains special to the fans in Oakland.
What are they waiting for?	Bert "Campy" Campaneris (perhaps the franchise’s best shortstop ever), Rickey Henderson (24) (one minute after he retires), Mark McGwire (25), Dennis Eckersley (43), Mickey Cochrane (2), Jimmie Foxx (3), Lefty Grove (10), and the one and only Al "Bucketfoot" Simmons (7).
Current players with a shot:	None. They will all leave as free agents.
Before they wore numbers:	John "Home Run" Baker, Harry Davis, Eddie Plank, Charles "Chief" Bender, Eddie Collins, and, of course, Connie Mack.
Note:	Never, ever that bum who played a poor right field and wore number 9 in 1972 and number 44 in 1987.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Richie Ashburn #1, 1979	Ol’ Whitey was the catalyst for the Whiz Kids of the 50s and an announcer for decades. A great choice for a retired number.
Jim Bunning #14, 2001	One of the best pitchers to ever toss for the Phillies, he played much longer for the tigers. He won 19 games three times for the Philberts. Not worthy of a retired jersey.
Mike Schmidt #20, 1990	The greatest third baseman of all time.
Steve Carlton #32, 1989	The greatest left-hander to ever throw for the Phillies and one of the greatest pitchers ever. A suitable honor.
Robin Roberts #36, 1962	No problem here. This Hall-of-Famer tossed 14 years for the Phillies.
What are they waiting for?	Chuck Klein (32) (John Kruk would be cool, even though he doesn’t deserve it. Hey, maybe the Devil Rays....)
Current players with a shot:	None. Rolen hasn’t played long enough to be considered and he’s leaving anyway.
Before they had numbers:	Grover Cleveland "Pete" Alexander. He only pitched for the Phils for 7 years (plus a curtain call at the end of his career) but he won 30 games three times and 28 once. His 190 wins for the Philberts ranks third all time.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
Billy Meyer (Manager) #1, 1954	Don’t care why. He didn’t manage long enough.
Ralph Kiner #4, 1987	Duh. What a great slugger.
Willie Stargell #8, 1982	Even though the "We are Family" stuff is annoying and the stars on the hats were egotistical, he led the team and deserves the honor.
Bill Mazeroski #9, 1987	He hit the greatest home run in world series history in the greatest game in world series history and he was a terrific Pirate for many years. An appropriate choice.
Pie Traynor #20 1972	One of the top three third basemen of all time.
Roberto Clemente #21, 1973	Duh.
Honus Wagner #33, 1956	The greatest Pirate of all.
Danny Murtaugh #40, 1977	Number retired for his managerial career only. Good choice.
What are they waiting for?	Paul Waner (11).
Current players with a shot:	None. This is yet another franchise that has been hurt by free agency. Brian Giles may end up having a solid enough career, but he will leave.
Before they wore numbers:	None. (But only because Wagner–perhaps the greatest shortstop of the 20^th century–stayed involved long enough to get a number.)
SAN DIEGO PADRES
Steve Garvey #6, 1989	Ha, ha, ha, ha. This is a joke of the first degree. Garvey spent 4 and ½ years with the Padres. He spent 14 years with the Dodgers. He is not at or even within sight of the top in any career offensive category rankings. His career average with the Padres was a less-than-Cobbesque .275.
Dave Winfield #31, 2001	Winfield was one of the best all-around players to ever wear a Padres uniform. Do you think it is mere coincidence that the Padres waited until it was agreed he would wear a Padres cap to Cooperstown before they retired his number? He left the Padres as a free agent for...more money (would you be stunned if I said the Yankees signed him?) He went on to play for five more teams.
Randy Jones #35, 1997	This is a cool selection. Randy Jones was to a string of bad Padres teams what Steve Rogers was to a string of bad Expos teams. (Take note Expos that the Padres retired Jones’ number.)
What are they waiting for?	Tony Gwynn’s number will be retired, likely in 2002.
Current players with a shot:	None.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS - NEW YORK GIANTS
Bill Terry #3, 1985	Deserving and a great slice of baseball history. But why did they wait until 1985?
Mel Ott #4, 1949	An awesome power hitter with a great baseball name.
Carl Hubbell #11, 1944	The second greatest Giant pitcher behind Mathewson.
Willie Mays #24, 1972	This former Met also played for the Giants and was the best center fielder of his era. The greatest living player???
Juan Marichal #27, 1975	The best Giants pitcher following their move west.
Orlando Cepeda #30, 1999	Let’s see, they dumped him in favor of McCovey and then reclaimed him and pushed (for all the wrong reasons) for him to get into the Hall of Fame). He should not have his number out there, it lowers the bar.
Willie McCovey #44, 1975	This former Oakland Athletic also played for the Giants.
What are they waiting for?	None.
Current player with a shot:	The Giants will retire Barry Bonds number as soon as he retires. Bonds will require that all of the other retired numbers be reissued so that his and his alone is the only one retired. He will then skip the ceremony because he will hear that none of his former teammates would agree to say anything nice about the time they played with him.
Before they wore numbers:	As much as it pains Bucketfoot, we have to give the Giants credit for doing something better than the Athletics. The Giants do not ignore their pre-west coast history, they flaunt it. They have signs recognizing those who would have had their number retired except for the fact that they were Giants before they wore numbers. Christy Mathewson and John McGraw are so honored
SEATTLE MARINERS
None
Active:	Edgar Martinez, Griffey Jr. (When it is all said and done, he will be remembered as the first great mariner, plus, unlike A-Rod who just followed the money, Junior went home which is a far less jilting departure.)
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Ozzie Smith #1, 1997	While he couldn’t hit a lick and his defense benefited greatly from all those Astroturf hops, he is loved by the fans.
Red Schoendist (Player, Mgr.) #2, 1990	Red is a part of the Cardinals and deserving of this honor.
Stan Musial #6, 1963	The greatest Cardinal of them all.
Enos Slaughter #9, 1996	An absolute no-brainer. This guy is a true hall of famer.
Ken Boyer #14, 1984	On the payroll for over 15 years as a player and manager. A very good player who is really not worthy of this honor.
Dizzy Dean #17, 1974	Truth be told, Ol’ Diz wasn’t that good and didn’t pitch long enough to earn the honor. But he was such a character and solidified his place in Cardinals history when he and his wit went to the announcers booth.
Lou Brock #20, 1979	Lou is a class act who was a great player.
Bob Gibson #45, 1975	Sheer and utter dominance. One of the greatest pitchers of all time.
August Busch, Jr. (Owner) 85 1984	Another stupid assigning of a number to an owner.
What are they waiting for?	The Cardinals will retire Mark McGwire’s number based on a short affiliation that produced a bright flash. The Yankees did this with Maris. It was dumb for the Yankees (Gosh, there’s a stunner) and it will be dumb for the Cardinals.
Current players with a shot:	None.
Before they wore numbers:	Rogers Hornsby is honored.
TAMPA BAY DEVIL RAYS
Wade Boggs 12 2001	Makes perfect sense to me. When I think Wade Boggs, I think Devil Rays. Didn’t he also play for the Red Sox? This is the dumbest number retirement in all of baseball. Dumber than the owners with numbers, dumber than Reggie with the Yankees, dumber than Bud Selig and #42. This is really, really dumb.
What are they waiting for?	Apparently, nothing.
Current players with a shot:	Apparently, all of them.
TEXAS RANGERS
Nolan Ryan #34, 1996	Hey, it’s Ryan, We love him.
What are they waiting for?	None.
Current players with a shot:	Ivan Rodriguez and Alex Rodriguez.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
None
What are they waiting for?	Dave Stieb. Stieb was the best player on the Blue Jays for years, was a dominant pitcher on bad teams, was loved by the fans, and stayed with the Jays when he could have left for more money. He ended his career with others but that was just hanging on. He is the career all time leader in wins, innings, strike outs, blah, blah, blah. Dave Stieb epitomizes all that is good about the Blue Jays and should have his number retired.
Current players with a shot:	If they won’t retire Dave Steib’s number, nobody else has a shot.