When the Yankees announced at the beginning of the season that they were going to honor Joe Torre, everyone knew what that meant. And today they made it official. His No. 6 will takes its rightful place on the wall in Monument Park, leaving Derek Jeter as the last person in Yankees history who'll wear a single-digit number.
Torre's relationship with the Yankees when he left wasn't the best. He didn't want to leave, but also knew that the Yankees didn't really want him back, even though they were going into the final season in the old Stadium. Everybody knew this day was coming eventually, though. It's much later than some would've liked (Tim McCarver, in another moment of brilliance, was campaigning for it right away, even though Torre was managing the Dodgers at the time), but I don't think this news comes as a surprise to anybody. Enough time has passed. And doing it this year, when he goes into the Hall of Fame as a Yankee, seems appropriate.
I don't think the timing is a coincidence either. The Yankees have probably been waiting for Jeter and Rivera to retire to start retiring numbers from that late-90s dynasty. In one of the most perfect farewells I've ever seen, Rivera had his number retired while he was technically still active. That obviously had to happen because of the league-wide retirement of No. 42 for Jackie Robinson, but it was important for the Yankees to get Mo's No. 42 up there as quickly as possible.
Now that Jeter's retiring, it's probably a safe bet that No. 2 will go on the wall during his Stadium farewell. But Jeter's big on Yankees history. It's very important to him that he was even able to wear a single-digit number in pinstripes. Everybody knew No. 6 was going to be retired for Torre, but having it technically be available would've disrespected Jeter in a small way. By retiring Torre's No. 6 first, it leaves Jeter's No. 2 as the only remaining single-digit Yankee uniform number. When it goes on the wall either at the end of this season or the beginning of next, that'll complete the circle. Once No. 2 goes up, no single-digit number will ever be worn by a Yankee again. It's a small thing, but that's one last tribute to Jeter's legacy.
The Yankees also announced that there will be a "Bernie Williams Day" next season. We all know what that means. They haven't given out 51 since Bernie retired for a reason (and if anyone was going to wear it, it would've been Ichiro). And again, the only reason they haven't retired 51 yet was because they were probably waiting to do Rivera, Torre and Jeter first. After all, those are the three Hall of Famers from that dynasty. They deserve to have their numbers retired first, so I don't think anyone has had a problem with Bernie Williams waiting his turn. Including Bernie Williams.
Along with the Torre and Bernie announcements, the Yankees announced that Goose Gossage, Tino Martinez and Paul O'Neill will get plaques in Monument Park. Gossage and Tino I have no problem with. But I'm disappointed that Paul O'Neill is getting a plaque. Or, I should say, I'm disappointed that Paul O'Neill is only getting a plaque. Because his number belongs on the wall, as well.
After all, the Yankees haven't given out No. 21 since he retired, except for that two-week lapse in judgment when they actually let LaTroy Hawkins wear it (and Jeter and Rivera needed to tell him why the fans hated him and should probably change his number). One of the reasons for that is because the fans won't allow it. Paul O'Neill is such a beloved Yankee that No. 21 has been untouchable, even if not officially retired. The fans want and expect Paul O'Neill's number to be retired. It would be a travesty if it isn't.
They've been waiting for Jeter and Torre to retire the rest, which is fine. But there are four other players who deserve that honor. Bernie's day is coming next year, and I hope Paulie gets his. So, who are the other two? I'm obviously talking about Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada. I don't think there's any doubt Pettitte's No. 46 will be the next one to be retired after 51. Then there's Posada's 20. On paper, he probably deserves a plaque. But he's the other member of the Core Four. You can't retire the other three and not his.
Sure, they're out of room on the retired number wall in Monument Park. Torre's No. 6 will take the last available spot (and that spot was only made available because they moved them closer together during the winter). But I have no doubt they'll find room for No. 2. And No. 51. And No. 46. And, hopefully, Nos. 20 and 21, as well. Because they belong on the wall as much as the rest.
No comments:
Post a Comment