Bambino: Isn't It Time?

[SmokyBurgess]

A few years ago MLB permanently retired Jackie Robinson's #42. I totally agreed as Jackie was certainly deserving.

The MLB hierarchy are definitely "race guys", but isn't it time they give Babe Ruth the same respect?? If not for Ruth perhaps baseball would be at the same level as soccer these days.

It's time to permanently retire the #3.

[yanksfan09]

I agree that if Jackie is retired Ruth should be as well. However, I'd rather see no retired numbers at all for all of baseball. I think it should be left to the individual teams for every player. It's a slippery slope, where if they start doing more numbers it could be a trend that would continue and get out of hand. It almost could become like a separate hall of fame type award for the immortal players and baseball would have players wearing triple digit uni numbers eventually!

If they did Ruth, then you'd have people arguing for Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays etc... It could really open the floodgates. So, I'd vote for no more numbers retired by MLB. Leave it to individual teams. They should have never started the idea in the first-place.

No way! Only 42. Jackies' accomplishments are beyond the ballpark. Symbolically, the number 42 is not confined to a baseball diamond. How long did Ruth play before he even wore number 3?

Also its' the answer to life, the universe, and everything according to Douglas Adams.

[terjung]

Originally Posted by yanksfan09

If they did Ruth, then you'd have people arguing for Ted Williams, Ty Cobb, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays etc... It could really open the floodgates. So, I'd vote for no more numbers retired by MLB. Leave it to individual teams. They should have never started the idea in the first-place.

I don't think Cobb had a jersey number. Back in the old days, they didn't have them. Your point is still valid without that though.