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[frikativ54]

The two Chicago teams had no regular season wearers of #42 in 1997. Roger McDowell wore #42 in spring training with the White Sox, but was cut, and the Cub that had #42, coach Dan Radison, voluntarily gave it up in favor of #3.

Dave Miedema

I'll bet there was a lot of pressure to switch numbers. Not sure I like the idea of all teams retiring #42. If so, why wasn't the honor extended to Clemente and #21?

[Shipp_96]

I'll bet there was a lot of pressure to switch numbers. Not sure I like the idea of all teams retiring #42. If so, why wasn't the honor extended to Clemente and #21?

Interesting argument, I read up on this and found the following information:

"Roberto Clemente was elected to the Hall of Fame posthumously in 1973, thus becoming the first Latin American to be selected and the only current Hall of Famer for whom the mandatory five-year waiting period has been waived since the wait was instituted in 1954. Clemente is also the first Hispanic player to win a World Series as a starter (1960), win a league MVP award (1966) and win a World Series MVP award (1971).
Clemente's #21 remains active in Major League Baseball, and is worn by multiple players. Sammy Sosa wore #21 throughout his career as a tribute to his childhood hero.[61] The number is unofficially retired in the Puerto Rico Baseball League. While the topic of retiring #21 throughout Major League Baseball like Jackie Robinson's #42 has been broached, and supported by groups such as Hispanics Across America, Jackie Robinson's daughter disagrees, believing that Major League Baseball should honor him another way."


I actually found that last sentence disturbing, and bordering on petty. So it's OK for you father to have this great honor bestowed upon him, but not Roberto, who was every bit as significant to the Latin community? I don't know if I agree with her vague reason, either.

But, maybe it is better that players can honor Roberto by wearing his number as opposed to retiring it league wide.

[MLB~NUT]

Just won this SWEET Ludwick MLB Authenticated Gamer today, as Shipp said can't wait to get it in my hands and post some more pics!!!!

[gnishiyama]

Thanks Tony I am showing my age but I picked it up for 300.00 in an auction about seven years prior to ebay existing. It was the first baseball item my wife agreed let me buy after we married. I was making 7.25 an hour and going to graduate school so even at 300 it was a major sacrafice. It is one of my favorite pieces for that reason. By the way I still have the wife as well

Mike

This is one of the best-feeling posts I have read in a long time.

Goh

[sox83cubs84]

[quote=frikativ54;261298]I'll bet there was a lot of pressure to switch numbers. Not sure I like the idea of all teams retiring #42. If so, why wasn't the honor extended to Clemente and #21?[/quote

For that matter, how about Babe Ruth's #3? After all, he only saved a sport seriously wounded by the Black Sox Scandal.

Dave Miedema

[Shipp_96]

Just wanted to post they FINALLY won after one of the more miserable 10 game losing streaks I have ever seen. Hopefully this can propel them back above .500 again. I refuse to believe the last four months prior to this was a mirage.

[frikativ54]

Just wanted to post they FINALLY won after one of the more miserable 10 game losing streaks I have ever seen. Hopefully this can propel them back above .500 again. I refuse to believe the last four months prior to this was a mirage.

I wish the Pirates luck. They have not been a winning team since I first started watching baseball.

[sox83cubs84]

I wish the Pirates luck. They have not been a winning team since I first started watching baseball.

+1

Dave Miedema