On Jackie Robinson day this year, all players will wear number 42:
Last year, more than 330 players and on-field staff members wore No. 42. Commissioner Bud Selig requested that all on-field personnel wear the number Wednesday as a sign of unified, league-wide support. Since 2004, MLB has honored Robinson’s legacy.
This number thing is getting a bit ridiculous. The whole point of retiring the number is that no one else wears it. I’m all for a day honoring Jackie Robinson, but making it difficult for fans to tell who’s playing goes too far. Pick one player on each team to wear the number. Make it an honor for the player who best exemplifies the qualities of Robinson. That, to me at least, is a more fitting tribute.
Posted by David Pinto at 8:44 pm | All-Time Greats | Permalink | 7 Comments
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April 13th, 2009 @ 10:10 pm
Is this poltical correct bs ever going to stop? The notion that of all the great ballplayers that have played it is Jackie Robinson’s number that is retired throughout baseball is asinine. He wasn’t the first black player-there were many who played in the 1800s, someone was going to be the first one to play after the segregation-it just happened to be him. He didn’t crash the color barrier himself, he didn’t file lawsuits or lead marches-the management of the Brooklyn Dodgers made a business decision and he was just the benificary of that decision. If it wasn’t him, it would have been someone else. Hell, didn’t Larry Doby suffer as much if not more than him? This white guilt nonsense is never ending. If he wasn’t black would his numbers justify him being in the HOF?
April 13th, 2009 @ 10:41 pm
dch,
His play would warrant strong consideration regardless of color. He lost playing to to college (USC) and military service. When that is taken into consideration he would likely be enshrined. Back then elections were based more on impact than numbers (look at Dizzy Dean).
Separately, I completely agree that the number BS is beyond stupid. Nothing wrong with recognizing his accomplishments and remembering what he, Doby, and others went through. There is something wrong with retiring his number on teams he never played for. Worst example is the Giants. They were his team’s greatest rival. He retired rather than except a trade to the Giants. Just stupid.
April 14th, 2009 @ 9:24 am
People have a problem with this? Seriously? It’s just one day. Get a grip.
April 14th, 2009 @ 10:28 am
I’m not hugely against this, but I do have a problem with it in regards to those silly teams like the Yankees that don’t bother to put player’s names on their uniforms.
April 14th, 2009 @ 11:18 am
I think its great that we’re honoring Mariano Rivera. He really is a terrific pitcher, and he deserves all of the recognition he gets for bringing the cut fastball to the mainstream. Where would junkballers like Doug Davis be today if it weren’t for great heroes like Mariano Rivera?
April 14th, 2009 @ 11:39 am
Players didn’t used to wear ANYTHING on their uniforms, not even numbers. I just don’t see at all how this is a big deal.
April 14th, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
Dave,
It’s not a big deal. It’s just stupid.