Red Sox Retired Numbers?

[pedrosrotatorcuff]

Add #24 to the right-field upper deck, don't honor it specifically for Evans nor Ramirez, and don't let anyone else wear it in the meantime. Problem solved.

[SDL]

I agree about hanging up #24 for Evans. Manny should not be part of the equation.

I'd like to see #6 amended to have both Johnny Pesky and Rico Petrocelli honored.

[Steelwheels]

Rice has had his # retired since this thread was last active. I'd like to see Dewey get his #24 retired

[Dogdaze]

How soon until #14 is retired? His election to the HOF is all but certain.

Jim Rice was one of the most feared hitters for a period of about 12 years in the AL and regularly hit 20 plus HR's which was considered a lot in that era. IMO he absolutely deserves to get elected to the HOF and I believe the Sox will retire his number shortly after he get’s elected.

Thinking about Jim Ed reminds me of a game in the 80's when a kid was hit in the dead by a foul ball and badly hurt. Rice seeing this from the dugout immediately ran out to the field, jumped into the stands and carried the boy to the clubhouse to receive medical treatment. The team doctor said Rice's action may have saved the kids life.

Rice was a quiet man, and sometimes moody, he didn't always get along with the press which may be why he hasn't been elected yet. But he was an excellent player so hopefully he will get elected on the next vote.

[Westlake]

Im not a fan of this but whatever.

[SDL]

Retiring #6 is something that has been long overdue. What they should do is also honor Rico Petrocelli at the same time, as he wore #6 with distinction as well.

What's funny is that when Pesky managed the Sox in '63-64, he wore #22...Lee Thomas wore #6.

Now let them retire #14 for Jim Ed Rice and then #25...

[Captain Cold Nose]

I believe it's more towards individuals than the team or fans themselves...many had problems with the GMs or writers than the fans and those who had problems with the fans were guys whose problems were present before or after they came to Boston.

Plenty do bring things upon themselves.

If Rice was really that horrible, why has he been back these last few years?

[efin98]

That's good, it's proof that time heals all wounds. I'm sure there are still players who harbor animosity as there are likely and logically far more players who never had a problem to begin with.

I believe it's more towards individuals than the team or fans themselves...many had problems with the GMs or writers than the fans and those who had problems with the fans were guys whose problems were present before or after they came to Boston.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Many bitter players or players who left on a sour note have stymied that image of Boston but it's not the actual case- many greats actually come back to work for the team or are involved with the development of the team despite leaving town or being fired: Yaz stuck around. Dwight Evens came back. Rice stayed with them even after being fired as their hitting coach. Luis Tiant was traded away and has been one of their best ambassadors to Latino players for the Red Sox.

That's good, it's proof that time heals all wounds. I'm sure there are still players who harbor animosity as there are likely and logically far more players who never had a problem to begin with.

And that really goes for all teams, Boston isn't unique in that and I never meant to make it seem so.

[efin98]

No wonder why so many players have spoken out against Boston and its fans. No matter what they do it's not going to be enough once their career has ended.

Many bitter players or players who left on a sour note have stymied that image of Boston but it's not the actual case- many greats actually come back to work for the team or are involved with the development of the team despite leaving town or being fired: Yaz stuck around. Dwight Evens came back. Rice stayed with them even after being fired as their hitting coach. Luis Tiant was traded away and has been one of their best ambassadors to Latino players for the Red Sox.

[efin98]

How soon until #14 is retired? His election to the HOF is all but certain.

If they were going to change the rule for anybody, it logically was Pesky. 60+ years involved with the team minus a few when he played elsewhere.

Rice will get it soon. Heaven forbid he never makes it into the Hall of Fame the fact that they bent the rules for Pesky means that they will bend it for Rice.

Rice is on track to be with the team for as long as Pesky, he's still getting paid by them for his instructional work and broadcasting so he will get it retired alongside him for the long service to the team- it may only take another 30 years or so

[Captain Cold Nose]

You're talking like he's already in and on the facade...maybe you could let the voters and Bosox decide??
I see Rice as a very good, not great, hitter and good, not very good, LFer at his best who was incredibly overrated as a hitter, and a surly, nasty person to everybody while he was playing. He must have realized that masking his personality would let him make some money on TV, just like he finally realized around '86 that trying to work the count a little would extend his playing career some.
I just remember Rice's playing days too clearly to like him, and it bugs me that a great hitter (with some issues of his own) like Dick Allen is ignored while Rice gets propped up. If Rice makes the HOF and ends up with his number on the facade, that's fine...I'm just not cheering for him, that's all.

He did draw 72% or the votes last year. I'm just calling the inevitable.

Rice was nasty and surly and you bring out Allen? Allen might have been a great hitter but he seemed to have sabotaged his career, going from team to team because of his attitude issues and probably having it end before it should have.

No wonder why so many players have spoken out against Boston and its fans. No matter what they do it's not going to be enough once their career has ended.

[hellborn]

Not as long as he still is getting a check with them.

Almost 20 years of productive service, going to the HOF while playing his career entirely in Boston, and that's what he's reduced to?

You're talking like he's already in and on the facade...maybe you could let the voters and Bosox decide??
I see Rice as a very good, not great, hitter and good, not very good, LFer at his best who was incredibly overrated as a hitter, and a surly, nasty person to everybody while he was playing. He must have realized that masking his personality would let him make some money on TV, just like he finally realized around '86 that trying to work the count a little would extend his playing career some.
I just remember Rice's playing days too clearly to like him, and it bugs me that a great hitter (with some issues of his own) like Dick Allen is ignored while Rice gets propped up. If Rice makes the HOF and ends up with his number on the facade, that's fine...I'm just not cheering for him, that's all.

[Mike D.]

How soon until #14 is retired? His election to the HOF is all but certain.

Very true...I was thinking "after Rice", but didn't type it. He's very likely to be elected to the HOF this winter, fullfilling his last requirement for number retirement. The fact that he's stayed in the game working with the Sox broadcasting team and seems far less surley in his old age can't hurt any!

[Captain Cold Nose]

Can there be an exception stating that players who were fond of saying, "I still get my check!" are excluded from having their numbers retired???

Not as long as he still is getting a check with them.

Almost 20 years of productive service, going to the HOF while playing his career entirely in Boston, and that's what he's reduced to?