Unofficially Retired Numbers

[jnakamura]

The Dodgers have, since the O'Malley ownership, had a policy of only retiring numbers for Hall of Fame players who go into the Hall as Dodgers. The only exception being long-time player and coach Jim Gilliam, whose #19 was retired immediately after his sudden death during the 1978 NLCS.

However, #34 has not been issued to any player since 1990, Fernando Valensuela's last season with the Dodgers. Steve Garvey's #6 was also not issued to any player from 1983-2002, but has since been worn regularly by several players and by Joe Torre.

What are some other "unofficially" retired numbers with other ballclubs?

[chicagowhitesox1173]

Wasn't Don Mattingly one nobody has used?

[jnakamura]

Wasn't Don Mattingly one nobody has used?

Mattingly's number is officially retired by the Yankees

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[jnakamura]

I believe no Red Sox player has been allowed to wear Roger Clemens' #21 since 1996, although it has not been officially retired.

[jnakamura]

Since 1995, no Tiger has worn Lou Whitaker's #1--again, not officially retired by the team.

Alan Trammell's #3 is also unofficially retired by the Tigers, but from 2006-09 Gary Sheffield wore it after asking for, and getting permission from Trammell, to wear it.

[chicagowhitesox1173]

I shoulda known better about Mattingly. You would think Trammell and Whitaker would have their numbers retired by now. Those two don't get any respect.

[ian2813]

I think it's fairly common for teams to keep numbers of important players out of circulation when it's obvious that it'll become officially retired somewhere down the road.

No Cardinal has worn #5 this year, though I'm guessing it won't be officially retired until after Pujols retires.

I believe Rickey Henderson in the late '90s was the first Met to wear #24 since Willie Mays wore it.

I don't believe the Reds have ever officially retired Pete Rose's #14, but I'm pretty sure they don't give it out anymore. I think Pete Rose Jr. was the only one they ever made an exception for.

I think the Yankees had #21 unofficially retired for Paul O'Neill for a while, but I believe in recent years they've started allowing it to be worn again.

I don't believe any Brewer has worn #17 since Jim Gantner.

[Tyrus4189Cobb]

No Giant has worn number 25 since 2007 after Bonds' retirement/leaving the game.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The Mets have unofficially retired #8 (Gary Carter) and #31 (Mike Piazza).

[Blue387]

The Mets have unofficially retired #8 (Gary Carter) and #31 (Mike Piazza).

Willie Mays' #24 hasn't been worn recently.

[Allie Fox]

51 with the Yankees. Recently Ichiro had to change to 31the because 51 will always be Bernie's (at least for now).

There was Kelvin Torve who wore 24 with the Mets, but it was only a game or two before they realized it and made him change.

[SteveJRogers]

I believe Rickey Henderson in the late '90s was the first Met to wear #24 since Willie Mays wore it.

In 1990 24 was issued accidentally to an obscure mid-season callup named Kelvin Torve. Which caused a major media/fan crap-storm.

24 in Seattle of course only worn by Griffey Jr. since 1989. I wonder why the M's let Ichiro simply take 51 though.

Bit of an offshoot, what were the reasons for the Orioles officially retiring #33 when Eddie Murray left the first time, as well as the White Sox with Harold Baines when he left, but was stull an active player?

[ian2813]

In 1990 24 was issued accidentally to an obscure mid-season callup named Kelvin Torve. Which caused a major media/fan crap-storm.

Just out of curiosity, why is Willie Mays such a big deal to Met fans? He was at the end of his career when he played there for all of a season and a half. Is it merely out of recognition for the New York Giants' history in the city?

24 in Seattle of course only worn by Griffey Jr. since 1989. I wonder why the M's let Ichiro simply take 51 though.

I think I once read that Randy Johnson gave them permission to let Ichiro use the number. It'll probably be dually retired one day.

Bit of an offshoot, what were the reasons for the Orioles officially retiring #33 when Eddie Murray left the first time, as well as the White Sox with Harold Baines when he left, but was stull an active player?

Baines didn't leave on his own, he was traded away, and he was a pretty popular player in Chicago. I believe the White Sox retired his number as a way to tell the fans they weren't making such a trade lightly. I'd imagine the Orioles' reasons were similar, as Murray was traded away when he left the first time.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

51 with the Yankees. Recently Ichiro had to change to 31the because 51 will always be Bernie's (at least for now).

Ichiro willingly chose to give up #51. It wasn't forced on him. He asked for a different number.

[SteveJRogers]

Just out of curiosity, why is Willie Mays such a big deal to Met fans? He was at the end of his career when he played there for all of a season and a half. Is it merely out of recognition for the New York Giants' history in the city?

In a way yes. Joan Payson was a Giants fan, IIRC her husband was a partial owner during the final years. When he was brought over it was pretty much so he'd always have a job with the organization (he coached through 1979 when Joan Payson's daughters sold the team) and eventually 24 would be retired in his honor.

I have no idea about the relationship with Mays and Doubleday/Wilpon through the years, but those early years they did try to forge a new identity for the franchise, rather than cling to past glories. But 24 was still kept out of circulation.