Uniform numbers aren’t for everybody. I’ve mates who I’d think about to be engaged sports activities followers who’ve nearly zero recall of who wore what quantity — and even much less inclination to additional examine the artwork.
I even have mates — and I’m the chairman of this little extra-curricular exercise — who imagine uniform numbers are a vital a part of investing in sports activities. I’m not saying that’s true. I simply know that the opposite evening a buddy requested about Ron Gardenhire — a wonderful supervisor in his day however a reasonably obscure Met earlier than that — and I instantly mentioned “19.” I’m unsure I can recall the rest about Gardenhire’s 285-game tenure with the Mets, however I remembered he wore 19. When the pal seemed it up on Baseball-Reference.com and confirmed it, he nodded in admiration.
This isn’t a ability that can change the world. However I’m a uniform quantity man. So Saturday was my sort of day, the Mets retiring Darryl Strawberry’s No. 18 ceaselessly, swelling the roster at Citi Discipline to seven — 14 (Gil Hodges), 16 (Doc Gooden), 17 (Keith Hernandez), 18 (Strawberry), 36 (Jerry Koosman), 37 (Casey Stengel) and 41 (Tom Seaver) when, for the longest time, solely Hodges, Stengel and Seaver had that honor.
It bought me desirous about who may get the following retired quantity for every of our 9 groups within the 4 main leagues. And right here is one man’s guess at that:
Mets
It nearly actually needs to be David Wright’s 5, it’s only a matter of when. After that? Nearly each worthy member of the all-time roster (for now) could have been duly honored. It’s anybody’s guess who the ninth quantity can be. He won’t have been drafted but — although if he stays round, Pete Alonso is a chance.
Yankees
No group higher takes care of its legends on this regards than the Yankees, so there are not any holdouts. Secure to say Aaron Choose’s 99 will reside in Monument Park sometime, on the earliest attainable date.
Giants
I’d say in some unspecified time in the future a public reconnection/reconciliation with Tiki Barber is so as. He’s the all-time rusher — by greater than 3,500 yards — for a group that’s about to start its a centesimal 12 months of operation. It needs to be time for 21.
Jets
This one ought to have been accomplished a very long time in the past: Gerry Philbin’s 81. He was the Joe Namath (solely much less chatty) of the ’68 Jets protection.
Knicks
Whereas I’d like to recommend that sometime Julius Randle could have sufficient gravitas to warrant a twin hanging of 30 with Bernard King, essentially the most egregious omission proper now could be Richie Guerin’s No. 9, which ought to’ve been hung on the Backyard many years in the past.
Nets
We all know the reply to this: The Nets will retire Vince Carter’s 15 subsequent season. Me? I’d have gone with Micheal Ray Richardson’s 20 earlier than Carter. His time with the Nets was temporary and ended badly however he was electrical.
Rangers
I’m with my man Brooksie on this one: Brad Park’s No. 2 needs to be added to Brian Leetch’s No. 2 sooner somewhat than later. And there’s precedent: two 9s (Adam Graves and Andy Bathgate) and two 11s (Mark Messier and Vic Hadfield) already cling within the rafters.
Islanders
The one actual omission from the Dynasty Boys is Ken Morrow, who was as dependable and as clutch a participant as any of them. His No. 6 actually belongs at UBS Middle.
Devils
Claude Lemieux was a vital a part of the group’s assault and an integral a part of the dressing room for the 1995 and 2000 champs. Neither departure was particularly clean, however Pepe’s 22 ought to cling.
Vac’s Whacks
I used to be remiss in my tribute to Invoice Walton the opposite day to not recall the profound affect New York’s very personal Marty Glickman had in serving to Walton overcome a stutter and giving him first-class, hands-on coaching as a broadcaster.
As regards to Negro Leaguers being integrated into MLB stats, I defer as at all times to my late pal, the good Buck O’Neil, who as soon as informed me, “Anybody who noticed Josh Gibson or ol’ Satch Paige play is aware of they have been each bit nearly as good as the very best white gamers. However fewer and fewer of us are nonetheless round. What occurs once we’re all gone and no person can discuss them?” If this makes one child search for Gibson and Paige? Signal me up.
I’m about midway by means of “A Man in Full,” and, as at all times with any venture she is in, Diane Lane is the very best half about it. By lots.
Celtics in seven. Nevertheless it’s going to be enjoyable watching Luka for seven video games value of prime time.
Whack Again at Vac
Henry Conte: Steve Cohen drew a hand of Brodie, Porter, Scott and Eppler. …. I hope his on line casino poker tables have higher luck.
Vac: That’s the time you go in search of a brand new vendor. For his sake, David Stearns had higher be the one.
Paul Sciortino: I suppose they’re proper, cash doesn’t purchase happiness, see Steve Cohen and the Mets. Perhaps they simply don’t know the place to buy?
Vac: At the least it looks like he’s accomplished together with his antique-store part. That’s a begin.
JerzDevl2000: Angel Hernandez lastly made the appropriate name.
@MikeVacc: Typically all it takes is seven phrases to say all of it.
Gregg Slater: I used to be fortunate sufficient to have hung out with Invoice Walton over time. The primary time in an airport the place we have been each sitting round with flight delays. Walked as much as him and requested about UCLA and didn’t get a phrase in for the following 10 minutes. By the point we have been accomplished, he knew my spouse and children’ names.
Vac: So many tales like this have flooded in these previous few days. What a person. What a life.
