Retired Numbers - Yes or No?

[AvgUser]

I've thought about this topic for a while, but never felt motivated or had the energy to raise the topic until today. The subject is sports teams and retired numbers. When I rule the world, if you play for more than one team, then you are automatically DQ'ed from having your number retired by any team. I value loyalty when the subject of numbers being retired is on the docket.

That hurts me a little bit with Franco Harris, because i started watching/rooting for Steelers in early 70's. . I know his number is not officially retired, but the Steelers should not be able to retire #32 if they so choose. Why? He played with Seattle.

Reggie White? Nope; not his number either. I cannot recall off the top of my head others whose numbers have been retired, but I know they exist. Peyton Manning should have his Indianapolis retirement rescinded./ Tom Brady loses out too.

Phillies - Carlton and Halladay? nope and nope.
Buccos - Ralph Kiner - a NoGo
Reds - Pete Rose; no!

Discuss

 

[PSUJam]

Gretzky?

 

[Got GSPs]

you can have whatever criteria you want, but I think each team can make up their own criteria. I think retiring numbers is stupid. And, I think retiring a number from every team in the league is crazy stupid.

 

[Connorpozlee]

I don’t like the practice at all, regardless of how many teams a guy has played for.

 

[PSUJam]

I value loyalty when the subject of numbers being retired is on the docket.

Loyalty? What about guys that were traded?

 

[Got GSPs]

Willie Mays?

 

[Tom McAndrew]

I've thought about this topic for a while, but never felt motivated or had the energy to raise the topic until today. The subject is sports teams and retired numbers. When I rule the world, if you play for more than one team, then you are automatically DQ'ed from having your number retired by any team. I value loyalty when the subject of numbers being retired is on the docket.

That hurts me a little bit with Franco Harris, because i started watching/rooting for Steelers in early 70's. . I know his number is not officially retired, but the Steelers should not be able to retire #32 if they so choose. Why? He played with Seattle.

Reggie White? Nope; not his number either. I cannot recall off the top of my head others whose numbers have been retired, but I know they exist. Peyton Manning should have his Indianapolis retirement rescinded./ Tom Brady loses out too.

Phillies - Carlton and Halladay? nope and nope.
Buccos - Ralph Kiner - a NoGo
Reds - Pete Rose; no!

Discuss

it's an interesting take. If you limit retired numbers to only players that were with the same time their entire career, I think you're valuing that component (only playing with one team) more than is necessary.

I look at retiring numbers as players that were a combo of heads and shoulders the best, made an emotional connection with the fans that was well beyond normal fandom, and to a lesser extent players whose careers were ended due to a tragic situation.

The other issue I have with your approach is that for most of MLB (for example), the owners had total control over where a player played. A player could not leave the team unless they were cut or traded by the team. So it was more common for players to spend their entire career with one team. Now, with free agency, the players have a lot more mobility. And while we all enjoy players that stay their entire career with our favorite team, at times to maximize their earnings, the players do have to go the FA route.

 

[mrmk5110]

I think too many players get their numbers retired, but I don't think playing for more than 1 team should dq that player

 

[psuro]

Discuss

Your comments are dumb.

Discussion over.

 

[cac@PSU]

I hate when a teams unretires a number when a new superjock wants to wear a specific number. Retiring numbers leads will to triple numbers in years to come.

 

[91Joe95]

I've thought about this topic for a while, but never felt motivated or had the energy to raise the topic until today. The subject is sports teams and retired numbers. When I rule the world, if you play for more than one team, then you are automatically DQ'ed from having your number retired by any team. I value loyalty when the subject of numbers being retired is on the docket.

That hurts me a little bit with Franco Harris, because i started watching/rooting for Steelers in early 70's. . I know his number is not officially retired, but the Steelers should not be able to retire #32 if they so choose. Why? He played with Seattle.

Reggie White? Nope; not his number either. I cannot recall off the top of my head others whose numbers have been retired, but I know they exist. Peyton Manning should have his Indianapolis retirement rescinded./ Tom Brady loses out too.

Phillies - Carlton and Halladay? nope and nope.
Buccos - Ralph Kiner - a NoGo
Reds - Pete Rose; no!

Discuss

It wasn't exactly Franco's choice.

 

[fairgambit]

I believe Eddie Gaedel's number was unofficially retired. I do know that no one wore it before, or since, his only Major League appearance for the St. Louis Browns on August 19, 1951. For those who may have forgotten, his number was 1/8. Eddie walked on 4 pitches.

 

[BobPSU92]

I still don’t think #22 number should be retired at Penn State. That’s not a knock against Cappy. It isn’t the Penn State way to put one player above all the others. The point is, it isn’t just Cappy’s number. I’m sure Cappy was and still is honored by the gesture, but I think he should have respectfully declined.

 

[psuro]

I still don’t think #22 number should be retired at Penn State. That’s not a knock against Cappy. It isn’t the Penn State way to put one player above all the others. The point is, it isn’t just Cappy’s number. I’m sure Cappy was and still is honored by the gesture, but I think he should have respectfully declined.

You are wrong. It wasn’t Penn State’s way. It was Joe’s way.

Penn State had nothing to do with it. Except demonstrate their laziness when they realized they market Joes philosophies as their own.

 

[Colt2169]

N to the O

 

[BobPSU92]

You are wrong. It wasn’t Penn State’s way. It was Joe’s way.

Penn State had nothing to do with it. Except demonstrate their laziness when they realized they market Joes philosophies as their own.

Yeah, Joe’s philosophies weren’t worthy of the school to adopt and maintain as its culture. It’s much better for the school to throw away those values and be like everyone else.

F*ck us.

In other words, let’s argue stupidly just to argue.

 

[lions1995]

These are team sports. The team is supposed to be greater than any given player and therefore numbers should not be retired.

 

[PSUJam]

These are team sports. The team is supposed to be greater than any given player and therefore numbers should not be retired.

I say we do away with numbers on uniforms. They're stupid anyhow.

 

[Midnighter]

I say we do away with numbers on uniforms. They're stupid anyhow.

Wait until Kanye West buys the Broncos. Can't wait to see them decked out in Yeezy's and masks!

 

[Midnighter]

I've thought about this topic for a while, but never felt motivated or had the energy to raise the topic until today. The subject is sports teams and retired numbers. When I rule the world, if you play for more than one team, then you are automatically DQ'ed from having your number retired by any team. I value loyalty when the subject of numbers being retired is on the docket.

That hurts me a little bit with Franco Harris, because i started watching/rooting for Steelers in early 70's. . I know his number is not officially retired, but the Steelers should not be able to retire #32 if they so choose. Why? He played with Seattle.

Reggie White? Nope; not his number either. I cannot recall off the top of my head others whose numbers have been retired, but I know they exist. Peyton Manning should have his Indianapolis retirement rescinded./ Tom Brady loses out too.

Phillies - Carlton and Halladay? nope and nope.
Buccos - Ralph Kiner - a NoGo
Reds - Pete Rose; no!

Discuss

I think it's okay for pro sports, less so for college. College players are around a max of four years, so unless you win two Heisman's or something (Hey now!) I don't think it's really justified.

I can see it more in pro sports, but at a certain point you run out of numbers. I think Lemieux, Gretzky, Aaron, Brady, Ruth, Magic Johnson, etc. types are worth it. And the good news is players move around a lot more than they used to so less chance they'll be able to have a HOF career in one place.

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

I think it's okay for pro sports, less so for college. College players are around a max of four years, so unless you win two Heisman's or something (Hey now!) I don't think it's really justified.

I can see it more in pro sports, but at a certain point you run out of numbers. I think Lemieux, Gretzky, Aaron, Brady, Ruth, Magic Johnson, etc. types are worth it. And the good news is players move around a lot more than they used to so less chance they'll be able to have a HOF career in one place.

I think PSU should retire Clifford’s number after he finishes his seventh year as our QB!

 

[PSU1969A]

I've thought about this topic for a while, but never felt motivated or had the energy to raise the topic until today. The subject is sports teams and retired numbers. When I rule the world, if you play for more than one team, then you are automatically DQ'ed from having your number retired by any team. I value loyalty when the subject of numbers being retired is on the docket.

That hurts me a little bit with Franco Harris, because i started watching/rooting for Steelers in early 70's. . I know his number is not officially retired, but the Steelers should not be able to retire #32 if they so choose. Why? He played with Seattle.

Reggie White? Nope; not his number either. I cannot recall off the top of my head others whose numbers have been retired, but I know they exist. Peyton Manning should have his Indianapolis retirement rescinded./ Tom Brady loses out too.

Phillies - Carlton and Halladay? nope and nope.
Buccos - Ralph Kiner - a NoGo
Reds - Pete Rose; no!

Discuss

So the Yankees should not have retired #3 -- Babe Ruth!

 

[PSUJam]

Wait until Kanye West buys the Broncos. Can't wait to see them decked out in Yeezy's and masks!

Result:

 

[FrontierLion]

And, I think retiring a number from every team in the league is crazy stupid.

What about this one? You could make the argument that Jackie Robinson did more for the entire MLB than he did for the Dodgers. He impacted MLB in a way that no other player ever will.

While I do agree with your opinion in most cases (like how the Miami Heat retired Michael Jordan's number), I think one exception can be made for #42.

 

[PSUJam]

 

[Still in State Colllege]

As a rule I don't like retiring numbers. It doesn't matter how many times it is issued it will always belong to the player you remember most during your most ardent time as a fan. For the Pirates #39 will always be Dave Parker for me. A Steelers #52 will always be Mike Webster. Now with rosters changing so frequently I think about current players by name and not their number. Freiermuth is wearing Swan's number and 88 will always be Swan's number to me.

 

[PSUJam]

As a rule I don't like retiring numbers. It doesn't matter how many times it is issued it will always belong to the player you remember most during your most ardent time as a fan. For the Pirates #39 will always be Dave Parker for me. A Steelers #52 will always be Mike Webster. Now with rosters changing so frequently I think about current players by name and not their number. Freiermuth is wearing Swan's number and 88 will always be Swan's number to me.

It's the name on the back of the jersey that matters?

 

[oldpsubear]

Willie Mays?

Willies number was retired in San Francisco but then unretired so it could be worn by Barry Bonds Willies god son

 

[Got GSPs]

Willies number was retired in San Francisco but then unretired so it could be worn by Barry Bonds Willies god son

Right, but the OP said that somebody who played for more than one team shouldn't have their number retired. You can't tell me that there is a single player who meant more to his team than Willie Mays. He deservedly had his number retired and I don't mind if Willie wants to let others wear it. Its the just sign of respect for Willie. Again though, I think retiring a number is stupid. Eventually the Yankees will have to start assigning three digit numbers.

 

[PSUJam]

Right, but the OP said that somebody who played for more than one team shouldn't have their number retired. You can't tell me that there is a single player who meant more to his team than Willie Mays. He deservedly had his number retired and I don't mind if Willie wants to let others wear it. Its the just sign of respect for Willie. Again though, I think retiring a number is stupid. Eventually the Yankees will have to start assigning three digit numbers.

I was being a smart @ss in an earlier post, but if baseball would decide to remove numbers from jerseys it would barely affect the fan experience both at the game and on television, if at all. Heck, the new CBA includes advertising on the jerseys so they might need the room for sponsorship.

 

[Dan D. Lion]

Barry Bonds did not wear retired number 24 of Willie Mays. Bonds wore number 25. He did, however, wear number 24 with the Pirates. As for all of these retired numbers some teams are out of hand. Kevin Garnett had his number five retired by the Celtics yesterday which was absurd. He played most of his career with Minnesota before being traded to Boston. In Minnesota he wore number 21. For one championship with the Celts he gets this honor? The Celtics and Yankees are ridiculous with this homage with even Jorge Posada having his number 20 retired by the Yanks.

 

[leinbacker]

I say we do away with numbers on uniforms. They're stupid anyhow.

keep the numbers but let the players sew on patches for their sponsors, like a NASCAR car

 

[PSUJam]

keep the numbers but let the players sew on patches for their sponsors, like a NASCAR car

Coming to you this season.

 

[Got GSPs]

View attachment 186978
What about this one? You could make the argument that Jackie Robinson did more for the entire MLB than he did for the Dodgers. He impacted MLB in a way that no other player ever will.

While I do agree with your opinion in most cases (like how the Miami Heat retired Michael Jordan's number), I think one exception can be made for #42.

This is the most ridiculous number retiring ever. There are other ways to honor Jackie Robinson.

 

[leinbacker]

Retiring numbers is such a Pitt thing to do (they retired 10 numbers)

But then again, they have something like 40 football National Championships

 

[YonkersLion]

I've thought about this topic for a while, but never felt motivated or had the energy to raise the topic until today. The subject is sports teams and retired numbers. When I rule the world, if you play for more than one team, then you are automatically DQ'ed from having your number retired by any team. I value loyalty when the subject of numbers being retired is on the docket.

That hurts me a little bit with Franco Harris, because i started watching/rooting for Steelers in early 70's. . I know his number is not officially retired, but the Steelers should not be able to retire #32 if they so choose. Why? He played with Seattle.

Reggie White? Nope; not his number either. I cannot recall off the top of my head others whose numbers have been retired, but I know they exist. Peyton Manning should have his Indianapolis retirement rescinded./ Tom Brady loses out too.

Phillies - Carlton and Halladay? nope and nope.
Buccos - Ralph Kiner - a NoGo
Reds - Pete Rose; no!

Discuss

Lefty Hell yes!

 

[PSUAlum]

It wasn't exactly Franco's choice.

He also wore 34 in Seattle, if that makes a difference.

 

[PSUAlum]

View attachment 186978
What about this one? You could make the argument that Jackie Robinson did more for the entire MLB than he did for the Dodgers. He impacted MLB in a way that no other player ever will.

While I do agree with your opinion in most cases (like how the Miami Heat retired Michael Jordan's number), I think one exception can be made for #42.

If it happened today, I would not like it because it would not feel genuine. It would be similar to when Penn State retired 22. I hate everybody wearing 42 on Jackie Robinson day. The team should select one player to wear it. It is now Jackie Robinson weekend so 3 players can be chosen to wear the number.

 

[LionsAndBears]

I don't think numbers should be retired, period. Have a ring of honor to acknowledge the greats but numbers should live on, allowing future players to honor the past greats by wearing their number...like Lavar's 11.