Knuckle Curve » jackie_robinson

Retiring Clemente’s Number

Geoff Young — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:57:54 +0000

According to Benjamin Sarlin at the New York Sun, a movement is afoot to retire Roberto Clemente’s number from baseball. Jackie Robinson had his #42 retired in 1997, and now it seems that the New York City Council (of all organizations) would like to see Clemente’s #21 receive the same treatment.

Babe Ruth, meanwhile, hasn’t had his #3 retired (not that I’m advocating such a move). Fun stuff, eh?

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Mitchell Report: Okay, Now What?

Geoff Young — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:05:07 +0000

As I continue to wade through the report and digest the large number of names contained therein, a few questions come to mind:

How surprised is anyone by the magnitude of this?
How surprised should we be?
Should players and others be held accountable for their actions?
If yes, how forthcoming will athletes be in the future?
If no, what is the incentive for not trying to cheat the system?
Why do we, as fans, continue to support these people and provide them — through our purchase of tickets, merchandise, and the like — with the means to perpetuate their actions?
How will future generations view the current era?
Should individual records and awards be stripped?
What about team accomplishments? The IOC is considering sanctions against Marion Jones’ relay teammates because they earned their medals while working with Jones. Should MLB do the same?
If we are to damn an entire era and those who are a product of its environment, should we do the same with other eras, e.g., anyone who played before Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier?
What confidence do we have that the list of names provided in the report is accurate and complete?
If it’s not complete, and there are others, how does MLB pursue and possibly reprimand them?
How culpable are the owners? The players union? MLB?
Can anything really be done to improve the situation beyond superficial actions that make it appear as though something is being done?

There are others, but I’ll stop here. This really, really, really, really stinks…

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The Politics of Retiring a Number

Geoff Young — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:24:27 +0000

Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time. Seems Babe Ruth’s granddaughter wants MLB to bestow upon Ruth the same honor it has given Jackie Robinson. She wants the Babe’s number retired throughout baseball.

Slippery slope, meet can of worms.

The unfortunate truth is that whenever you honor someone in this way, you also make a judgment on everyone else. In San Diego, for example, Steve Garvey’s number 6 is retired essentially because he hit a home run in a playoff game. Garvey spent most of his career with the Dodgers, who have not retired his number. Among Padres, he hardly ranks among the greats. Heck, he’s probably not even among the top five at his position. Nate Colbert, to name one player, is more deserving of the honor based on his overall body of work.

Back to the larger point. MLB has set precedent by retiring Robinson’s number throughout baseball. Now the Ruth camp wants in on the action. If they get their wish, then who’s to say that Hank Aaron or the Ted Williams family won’t do the same? Then the question becomes, where do you draw the line?

It’s a tricky situation, and one I’m glad I don’t have to deal with. What do you think — should the Babe’s number be retired throughout baseball?

{democracy:18}

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If You Could Meet Any Baseball Player…

Geoff Young — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 13:27:02 +0000

My wife asked me an interesting question the other day: If I could meet any baseball player and talk to him for a while, who would it be? She said I could pick one current player and one player from throughout history.

The historical player was tough. Ted Williams immediately jumped to mind, but I ended up going with Jackie Robinson. It’s sort of an obvious choice, but it seems to me that baseball fans owe him a great deal of gratitude. I wouldn’t even want to say much other than thanks.

For the current player, I had an easier time. Absolutely I would want to meet Barry Bonds. He’s sort of the Michael Jackson of baseball — so unbelievably talented, and yet, what the heck is going on in there? I have little doubt that it would be fascinating to spend a few minutes around Bonds.

My wife chose “Shoeless” Joe Jackson for the historical figure, and Padres shortstop Khalil Greene for the current player. She’s big on mystery.

How about you? Who would you want to meet, and why?

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