18 replies to this topic

[Lose Remerswaal]

According to this article, Jackie Robinson's daughter is against the idea

I agreed with her before I read the article, Jackie broke barriers for all minorities, Clemente was a great player, but there are lots of great players, and he didn't break any barriers that I'm aware of.

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

He didn't even break the "died in a plane crash" barrier. Ken Hubbs beat him to that.

No way should his number be retired.

[Nuf Ced]

It's appropriate for the Pirates to do so. Period.

If mlb wants to honor him with a charitable foundation or initiative, then fine.

Edited by Nuf Ced, 24 January 2006 - 10:12 AM.

[Lose Remerswaal]

He didn't even break the "died in a plane crash" barrier. Ken Hubbs beat him to that.

No way should his number be retired.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And then Thurman Munson imitated both of them.

[bsj]

I really don't care one way or another. I personally think that numbers on all counts should only be retired by teams. There should be no league wide numbers retired, and certainly not Clemente.

[Who The Hell is Stan Papi]

And then Thurman Munson imitated both of them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

oh, man, I can just hear Sal from Yonkers of the 'FAN demanding MLB retire his number cuz he died in a plane too.

[BigMike]

I don't think major league baseball should globally retire any number, so No I don't think they should retire Clemente's number.

But they are the one's who set the precedent, so I can't really say I care anymore. It was wrong when they did it for Robinson, but once you open the can of worms.

[Lose Remerswaal]

If they retire Clemente's, then they have to retire Nomo or Ichiro's, and then Chan Ho Park, and then Eddie Gaedel, and then Kevin Millar (first moron to win a ring) and so on and so on.

[The Napkin]

There's a good chance the only person who is a bigger fan of his than I on this board is Clemente38. And I say no. In case anyone cares.

[Spacemans Bong]

No way. He was a great ballplayer, a great man. Which is why we have the Roberto Clemente Award.

But he really didn't break any barriers. I'm not a big fan of retiring Jackie's number, but at least he did break the biggest barrier in sports history. Clemente really wasn't even the first Latin star - that was Minnie Minoso.

[jacklamabe65]

He was the man in right field. Period. However, it would be absolutely absurd for any team, other than the Bucs, to retire his number.

However, the Sox need to retire Willie Mays' number 24 as another reminder (Jackie's number 42 is already in right field) of the bigotry of the Yawkey administration.

Edited by jacklamabe65, 25 January 2006 - 06:41 PM.

[Chemistry Schmemistry]

He was the man in right field.  Period.  However, it would be absolutely absurd for any team, other than the Bucs, to retire his number.

However, the Sox need to retire Willie Mays' number 24 as another reminder (Jackie's number 41 is already in right field) of the bigotry of the Yawkey administration.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If what you say is true of most people, I guess Jackie's not enough of a league-wide reminder. It's 42.

Did Rice wear 24?

Personally, no. It cheapens the whole thing when it's expected. There are too many retired numbers as it is.

[Plantiers Wart]

Rice wore 14, Dewey 24. And a big "no" on Clemente.

[Maalox]

However, the Sox need to retire Willie Mays' number 24 as another reminder (Jackie's number 41 is already in right field) of the bigotry of the Yawkey administration.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is idiotic.

Someday, before you die, you need to learn to accept that not every imperfection of mankind can or should to be met with a symbolic, ego-sating act of contrition.

[Clemente38]

As much as it pains me to write this, I don't think "21" should be retired by the MLB. Clemente was a god in Puerto Rico and did much for the presence/growth of Latino baseball players in MLB, but I am just not a fan of retiring numbers across baseball and the point of Minnie Minoso being the first Latino is oft sighted even in Pittsburgh.

I'm sure my lack of support for Clemente will mean that the Steelers will be struck down in Detroit, but there you have it. And this from someone who was there for Clemente's 3,000 hit. And I cried when I heard the news of his plane going down - my personal Buddy Holly experience.

Thanks Lose for bringing it up, and I saw your pick of Seattle in the SB.

[Lose Remerswaal]

Thanks Lose for bringing it up, and I saw your pick of Seattle in the SB.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You saw my pick of who in the what?

I'll be rooting for Matty and baby Moose, but I'm expecting the Steelers to win handily

[BTownBeckett]

If they ever did retire Clemente's number, think of who other minorities would try to get retired. Who would be the first Asian player who "broke the previously broken barrier?" Maybe we could divide it up into actual countries. Maybe we should retire the numbers of the first Haitian, Cuban and Dominican players? Then we could introduce, what we've all always prayed for, the triple digit jersey!!! Someone could finally don the dreaded 666, or maybe we could pass it from slumping player to slumping player as a kind of kick in the ass that says "get it going, Satan!"

[Philip Jeff Frye]

Sounds to me like MasterCard must be at a loss for this year's baseball-related marketing campaign.

Some PR flack somewhere had a brain storm - "Hmm, Hispanic marketing is hot right now... How can we do something there? Hey, there's a lot of baseball players who are Hispanic. Who was the Jackie Robinson of Hispanics?! Get me Mr. Selig!!!"

[MarkInLondon]

I think MLB should retire the number '69'. It would just be nice to have it up in every ballpark.