YANKEE RETIRED NUMBERS
The Numbers Game
The famous number 3 worn by Babe Ruth was actually worn by several other
players before retired. The Yankees permanently retired it in 1948, a
brief time before the Babe passed away. Other Yankees who had worn the
"3" include George Selkirk, Allie Clark, Bud Metheny, and Cliff Mapes.
As rookies Joe DiMaggio (9), Yogi Berra (35), and Mickey Mantle (6) all wore
numbers they subsequently gave up. Mantle wore number 6 a few months in
the 1951 season. Number 7 was being worn by Cliff Mapes. On July 31,
1951, Mapes was traded to the St. Louis Browns. Mantle returned from the
minors (Kansas City) and put on number 7, making it one of the most famous
numbers in Yankees History.
No. 1 BILLY MARTIN
Infield 1950-57; Manager, 75-78; 79, 83, 85, 88
Alfred Manuel (Billy) Martin was a pesky infielder who played on six
pennant-winning teams and five world champions. He was the World Series MVP in 1953 and an
American League All-Star in 1956. As Yankee manager, Martin's accomplishments were
eclipsed by his contentious relationship with owner George Steinbrenner. He was hired and
fired five times.
Martin's most successful reign was his first. In 1976, he guided the Yanks to their first
AL pennant in 12 years. One year later Martin's squad beat the Los Angeles Dodgers for New
York's first World Series crown since 1962. He never finished higher than second in
subsequent stints with the Yanks. He also managed in Minnesota, Detroit, Texas and
Oakland.
He was killed in an auto accident Christmas Day, 1989.
George Herman (Babe) Ruth made the biggest impact, was the greatest
drawing card and the greatest athlete in sports history. Ruth, who began his career as a
pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in 1912, became one of the best left-handed pitchers in the
game, winning more than 20 games each in two seasons. He compiled a 94-46 record on the
mound for a .671 winning percentage. He set a World Series record of 29 2/3 consecutive
scoreless innings, which was broken by Whitey Ford in 1961. But his success at the plate
caused his transfer to full time outfielder. In 1918, he led the AL in homers with 11 and
repeated the feat the next year, blasting a record 29.
In 1920 the cash-strapped Boston ownership sold Ruth to Yanks for the
then-unheard of sum of $100,000. Ruth made an immediate impact, topping his own home run
mark again in 1920 with 54, and in '21 with 59. He was hitting more home runs than most
teams.
He led the Bronx Bombers to their first AL pennant in 1921 and first
championship in 1923. The Ruth-led Yankees won seven AL pennants and four World Series.
His 15 homers in World Series play is second to Mickey Mantle's 18. Ruth, hitting third in
the lineup in front of cleanup hitter Lou Gehrig, formed half of the most feared 3-4
combination in baseball history.
He was the American League's MVP in 1923 and would have won more, but the
award didn't exist from 1915-22. He hit a career-high 60 home runs in 1927, plus had 164
RBI and batted .356, but Gehrig was AL MVP.
Ruth was so great he had not one but two nicknames: The "Sultan of
Swat" and the "Bambino." He won 10 of his 12 home run crowns as a Yankee
and also led the American League in runs scored eight times; RBI five; walks 11; avg. 1;
on-base percent. 10; slugging avg. 12. Ruth never chased records, he set them. He still
ranks in top 10 of most batting categories, despite having more than 2,000 fewer at-bats
than other legends: lifetime batting avg. .342 (10th), home runs 714 (2nd), RBI 2213
(2nd), runs scored 2174 (2nd), and walks 2,056 (1st).
Ruth was a member of Hall of Fame's first class of inductees, 1936. He
died of throat cancer in 1948 at age 53.
Henry Louis Gehrig earned the moniker "Iron Horse" for his
record-setting streak of playing in 2,130 consecutive games, until a fatal illness forced
him from lineup. The record stood for 56 years, until Baltimore's Cal Ripken broke the
mark in 1995. Next closest streak is Yankee Everett Scott's 1,307 (Gehrig pinch hit for
Scott to end the latter's streak). He played on seven pennant winners and six World Series
champions.
Gehrig batted over .300 for 12 of his 14 full seasons (.295 in the other two); seven
times had more than 200 hits and 100 walks in the same season. Gehrig won the triple crown
in 1934, leading the AL in home runs (49), RBI (165) and batting average (.363), but
didn't nab the American League's MVP. However, he did win two MVPs ('27, '36). At various
times Gehrig led the AL in hits, walks, doubles, triples, home runs and RBI, on-base
percentage and slugging percentage, and averaged 35 homers, 142 RBI, .340 average for his
career.
Batting cleanup behind Ruth, he formed the second-half of most feared, and productive,
3-4 tandem ever. When Ruth left the Yankees after the '34 season, Gehrig became the team
leader and was named team captain. His 493 career homers, 1,888 runs scored, 1,190 extra
base hits, 1,508 walks, 1,995 RBI and .632 slugging percentage were second only to Ruth
when he retired. He still holds marks for career grand slams (23) and the AL single-season
RBI (184).
Gehrig was so highly regarded that he was elected to Hall of Fame in 1939, the same
year he retired. And the Yankees didn't appoint another team captain until Thurman Munson
in 1976. Gehrig's farewell speech, July 4, 1939, is perhaps the most moving moment in
baseball history. Before a sellout crowd at Yankee Stadium he ended his address, "I
may have been given a bad break. But today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face
of the earth."
His life story was made into a film in 1942. "Pride of the Yankees" which
starred screen legend Gary Cooper as Gehrig, is still considered one of the best sports
movies ever. He died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which is now known as "Lou
Gehrig's Disease," in 1941 at age 37.
No. 5 JOE DiMAGGIO
Center Field, 1936-42; 46-51
Career interrupted due to WWII
Joltin Joe was the leader of post-Gehrig era teams and played on 10
pennant winners and nine world champions. His streak of hitting safely in 56 consecutive
games in 1941 still stands. The three-time AL MVP ('39, '41, '47) didn't win the award in
1948 when he hit .320 and led the league in homers (39), RBI (155).
He batted over .300 and drove in more than a 100 runs in each of first seven seasons.
DiMaggio hit over .300 11 times and finished with a career .325 avg., third best in Yankee
history. He hit 361 career home runs and struck out just 369 times. Eight seasons he had
more homers than strikeouts.
DiMaggio, who was an all-star in each of his 13 seasons, was considered one of the most
graceful ballplayers. He seldom showed emotion and was considered among the classiest
players ever.
DiMaggio had two brothers that played major league baseball. Dominic played 11 seasons
for the Boston Red Sox. He was a seven-time all-star, had a .298 lifetime average and was
considered an excellent fielder. Although Vince played 10 mostly non-discript seasons in
the NL, he had 100 RBI in 1941 and played in two all-star games.
Joe was briefly married to screen legend Marilyn Monroe. He was elected to the Hall of
Fame in 1955. DiMaggio was voted "Baseball's Greatest Living Player" in 1969.
His popularity has not diminished with time.
Mantle was named after his father's favorite player, Hall of Fame catcher Mickey
Cochrane. Mantle's father had grand plans for his son, whom he taught to bat from both
sides of the plate as a boy. Mantle, who briefly wore No. 6, succeeded DiMaggio in center
field. He was the best player on the Yankee championship teams of 1950s and early '60s.
Although often injured, he still had a hall of fame career. In 1956, "The Mick"
won baseball's coveted triple crown, and MVP honors, by leading the AL in batting (.353),
homers (52), and RBI (130).
Baseball's greatest switch-hitter belted home runs from both sides of the plate in the
same game a record 10 times. He led the AL in homers four times. In 1961, he hit 54 homers
to Roger Maris' 61 for most home runs ever hit by two teammates (115). The Mick's home
runs went so far that statisticians began measuring noteworthy blasts, and the phrase
"tape-measure shot" was coined.
Mantle hit over .300 10 times in his first 12 seasons and finished with a career .298
avg. He was an all-star in 14 of his 18 seasons and won the AL MVP award three times
(56-57, 62). His 18 World Series home runs is still a record.
At the last Old Timers game in the old Yankee Stadium in 1973, Mantle homered off
former teammate Whitey Ford. He was elected to Hall of Fame in 1974. Mantle died of liver
cancer in 1995 at age 63.
No. 8 BILL DICKEY
Catcher, 1928-43; 46
Career interrupted due to WWII.
This 11-time AL all-star played his entire career in pinstripes. Even though
centerfield was considered the glamour position on the Yankees, Dickey began a string of
successive starting Yankee catchers who made 47 all-star appearances from 1928-79. Dickey
was succeeded by Yogi Berra (46-63), Elston Howard (55-67) and Thurman Munson (69, 70-79).
These four catchers anchored 19 of New York's 22 world championship teams. Four times
Dickey led AL catchers in fielding percentage.
Dickey hit over .300 11 times, including a career-high .362 in 1936, and finished his
career with .313 avg. His best years were 1936-39, when he hit over .300 and had over 100
RBI as the Yankees became the first team to ever win four consecutive World Series.
Dickey, who played on championship teams with Ruth, Gehrig and DiMaggio, made eight
post-season appearances, seven of them for world champions.
Dickey was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1954.
No. 8 YOGI BERRA
Catcher, Outfield, 46-63; Manager, 64; 84-85
Lawrence Peter (Yogi) Berra is one of the most beloved players in baseball history. He
played on more pennant winners (14) and more world champions (10) than any player in
history. His 18 All-Star appearances, over 15 consecutive seasons, is a record for a
catcher. In 1958, he played 122 games behind the plate and in the outfield without
committing an error.
He won three AL MVP awards (51, 54-55). He hit over .300 three times and drove in at
least 100 runs five times. From 1948-58 averaged 101 RBI. Berra is second to Cincinnati
Red Johnny Bench in career home runs by a catcher. In 1961, when Roger Maris hit a record
61 homers, Berra (22) and fellow catchers Elston Howard (21) and Johnny Blanchard totaled
64 home runs.
Berra, who closed active career with New York Mets in 1965, was one of the first
players to play for both Yanks and Mets. His son, Dale, played 11 years in the majors, two
for the Yankees.
Berra was great copy for baseball scribes. His malapropisms are part of baseball lore.
His most memorable "Yogism" is probably, "It ain't over 'til it's
over." He managed the Yanks to the AL pennant in 1964 and was fired after losing the
World Series. In his second stine, the team finished second in '85 and he was fired in
early '86. He also managed the Mets to the NL pennant in 1973.
Berra, who either coached or managed the Yankees and Mets between 1964-86, was elected
to the Hall of Fame in 1972.
Maris will always be remembered for his record 61 homers in 1961, besting teammate
Mantle's 54. The two-time MVP (1960-61) was also an excellent outfielder and had a cannon
of an arm. He hit more than 30 home runs and had at least 100 RBI, 1960-62. He was an AL
All-Star for four seasons and played on five Yankee pennant winners and two champions.
He was consistently hounded by New York press. In 1967 he was traded to
the St. Louis Cardinals and started on two pennant winners, and retired following '68
campaign. Maris also played for Cleveland (1957-58) Kansas City ('58-59).
He died of cancer in 1985 at age 51.
No. 10 PHIL RIZZUTO
Shortstop 1941-42; 46-56
Career interrupted due to WWII
"The Scooter" was a sure-handed shortstop on the great championship teams of
the late-'40s and early '50s. In 1950, he hit a career-high .324 and was voted American
League MVP. In the 1951 World Series, he hit .320 and was voted MVP as the Yankees beat
the New York Giants in six games. He started on nine pennant winners and seven world
champions, including the record five consecutive championships (49-53).
Considered one of the best bunters in history. Although he retired in 1956, he didn't
leave the Yankees. The Scooter continued to root for the team as a television and radio
announcer from '57-'95 and was noted for his signature phrase, "Holy Cow!"
Rizzuto, one of the most beloved players to ever wear the pinstripes, was elected to the
Hall of Fame in 1995.
Munson made his first full seasons a memorable one by hitting .302 and capturing the AL
Rookie of the Year award. He was one of the best defensive catchers and clutch hitters of
the '70s. Thurm' hit over .300 five times in his 10 full seasons for a career average of
.292. The three-time Gold Glove winner was a master of picking runners off at third base.
Hit over .300 and had more than 100 RBI, 1975-77.
Munson, a seven-time All-Star selection, was the Yankee team captain and batted third
on the 1977-78 championship teams. In 1976 he was voted AL MVP as he batted .302 and had
105 RBI to lead the Yanks to their first AL pennant in 12 seasons. Although he had a
professional rivalry with Boston counterpart Carlton Fisk, only Cincinnati's Hall of Fame
backstop Johnny Bench was better during the '70s.
Munson died in a plane crash August, 1979. His locker, in which his uniform and
catching gear still hang, remains a shrine in the Yankee clubhouse.
No. 16 WHITEY FORD
LHP, 1950, 53-67
In military service, 1951-52
Edward (Whitey) Ford holds the distinction of being the greatest pitcher in the history
of baseball's greatest franchise. He was the mainstay of a pitching staff that led the
Yankees to 11 AL pennants and six world championships. The New York native, who was called
"The Chairman of the Board," had a winning record for each of his first 14
seasons with an ERA below 3.00, 11 times.
The 1961 campaign was Ford's best. He was the AL Cy Young winner in with a 25-4 record.
In the World Series against Cincinnati he won two games and didn't allow a run in 15
innngs to earn MVP honors. In the 1960-61 World Series, Ford didn't allow a run for a
record 33 consecutive innings, breaking the record of 29 2/3 held by Babe Ruth. The
record, which was extended to 33 2/3 still stands.
Ford led the AL in wins three times and ERA twice. He retired with a record of 236-106
for a winning percentage of .690, the highest of any Hall of Famer. Ford, who was named to
10 AL All-Star teams, was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Don Mattingly is perhaps the best Yankee player never to reach a World
Series. In 1979, Don Mattingly was drafted by the New York Yankee's in the 19th
round (490th overall) of the June 5 free agent draft. He was called up to the Major
Leagues in 1982 and played his first game on September 8. He won the American League
batting crown in 1984. Hitting .343, he edged teammate Dave Winfield during the last few
days of the '84 season. In 1985, Don received the American League Most Valuable
Player award. He led the majors with 145 RBI's and 48 doubles, while batting .324
and hitting 35 home runs.
In 1986, Don was runner up for the MVP award (losing to Roger Clemens) he
led the majors with 238 hits, .573 slugging percentage, and 53 doubles. Mattingly
holds the All Time Yankee Record for Most in a Season Hits, Singles and Doubles. He
also won the Gold Glove Award in nine consecutive years 1985 - 1994.
In 1991, he was appointed "Team Captain". Don's 14th and
final season was in 1995. His last regular season at bat, on October 1st, was a home
run off Toronto Blue Jay's pitcher Pat Hentgen.
Donald Arthur Mattingly is known to the Baseball
World as "Donnie Baseball".
Howard was the first black player on the Yankees. He hit .300 or better three times,
including a career-high .348 in 1961. He was AL MVP in '63 and World Series MVP in 1958.
Howard was a .274 lifetime hitter, but his excellent defensive skills behind the plate
accounted for his 12 AL All-Star invitations. He played for nine Yankee pennant winners
and four champions. He was traded to Boston in mid-1967 and retired after the '68 season.
Howard returned to New York and coached first base for a decade before joining the
team's front office in late-70s. He died in 1980 at age 51.
Charles Dillon (Casey) Stengel was a baseball fixture as a player, coach, manager and
general manager for five decades. He played 14 seasons for NL teams in Brooklyn,
Pittsburgh, New York and Boston. As a part-time outfielder for the New York Giants,
Stengel twice hit over .300. In the 1923 fall classic, Stengel batted .417 and hit two
game-winning home runs. The latter was particularly noteworthy in that it was the first
post-season homer ever hit in Yankee Stadium.
Stengel's Yankees finished first 10 times and won seven world championships in his 12
years at the helm. From 1949-53 the Yankees won a record five consecutive championships,
which is still unequaled.
Stengel's best regular season as Yankee skipper was 1954, when the team finished
103-51. But they finished second to Cleveland, which posted a still unmatched 111-43
record. It was the only Yankee team under the "Old Professor" that won at least
100 games. He was fired after the 1960 World Series loss to Pittsburgh and later became
the first manager of the New York Mets. It was Stengel who called the upstart team, the
"Amaz'n Mets."
In his 25 years as a manager, Stengel won 1,942 games and lost 1,868 for a winning
percentage. of .510, eighth best in history. Nearly 60 percent of those wins came with the
Yanks.
As Yankee skipper he won a record 37 World Series games. His 10 pennant-winning teams
(all with the Yanks) is also a record. And his seven World championships are equaled only
by fellow Yankee skipper, Joe McCarthy, who guided the Yanks to eight AL pennants. The Old
Professor finally received his baseball PhD in 1966, when he was elected to the Hall of
Fame. He died in 1975 at age 85.
Even as the Yankees begin their 20th season since Jackson first put on the pinstripes,
he still remains the team's best free-agent acquisition. He signed with Yanks before the
1977 season, after spending his 1967-75 with Oakland and '76 with Baltimore. He came to
New York claiming, "I'm the straw that stirs the drinks," to the angst of his
new teammates and manager Billy Martin.
He was the cleanup hitter on 1977-78 championship teams. He combined with No. 3 hitter
Thurman Munson for one of the best 3-4 combos of the era., He blasted five homers in '77
Series, including three consecutive in the deciding sixth game, which earned him MVP
honors and the moniker "Mr. October."
Jackson's best year with Yanks was 1980 when he had 41 homers, 111 RBI, .300 average.
He led the AL in homers four times and finished his career with 563 home runs. He was the
leader of the great Oakland A's clubs that won World Series 1972-74. Was AL MVP in 1973.
He played from 67-87 (Oakland 67-75, 87; Baltimore 76; California 82-86).
Although he spent just five of his 21 seasons in New York, Jackson chose to have his
likeness wear a Yankee uniform on his Hall of Fame plaque, when he was enshrined in 1994.
Today he is a member of Yankee management.
