What major-leaguer is still wearing Jackie Robinson's number?
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What major-leaguer is still wearing Jackie Robinson's number?
I know Mariano Rivera is, I'm assuming he must be the only one then.
You're right. Jose Lima tried to get the number this season, but was rejected.
I thought Major League Baseball retired the number. Why is Rivera allowed to wear that number?Quote:
Originally Posted by Caseyfan21
Please educate me.
Rivera had the number before Jackie's number was retired. They grandfathered in the use of the number by any active player who already used it. Mariano is simply the last active guy who had the number at the time.
That's my understanding at least.
I thought Pop's Ortiz still wore number?
Ortiz is #34
Thanks for the information...thats what I thought...but I thought is was retired before Rivera's career began...my bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by RedsManRick
I thought I remember that Lima, Rivera and Mo Vaughn were the only three grandfathered in when that happened.
I'm pretty sure Mike Jackson was wearing 42 for the Reds at the time, but I'd have to look it up to be sure.
I believe there were more, but those 3 were definately grandfathered in. Problem is that Lima changed his number (last year or the year before) and then tried to get #42 back. They said no.Quote:
Originally Posted by jmcclain19
He was wearing #42, but he was wearing it for the Cleveland Indians in '97 when MLB retired it. He wore it for two more seasons, before wearing #38 for the Astros in 2001. He again wore #42 in 2002 while with the Twins.Quote:
Originally Posted by Danny Serafini
Thanks for clearing that up. Maybe he was the last #42 for the Reds and that was what I was thinking of.
That honor would go to Roger Salkeld, who started nineteen games for the Reds in '96.