#42 was retired in the 90's to honor jackie robinson breaking the color barrier. Many in baseball have talked about retiring #21 for Roberto Clemente in honor of his humanitarian work and being one the most prominent hispanic players of all time. Frank Robinson doesn't think any other number should be retired in baseball. what do you think?
2006-10-17 18:14:04 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
No, it shouldn't be. Robinson was retired because baseball had an institutional bias for decades against black players. He was the first, and he had to endure tons of hatred just to play. Clemente didn't have to go through that at nearly the level Robinson did. Lots of good players are also humanitarians, so that alone shouldn't be the standard we use.
Besides, I think it honors the player more when you leave his number available. Several players who wore 42 until MLB retired it did so to honor Robinson. I imagine there are several Latino players who want to wear 21 so they can honor Clemente. Let them.
2006-10-18 05:10:51 · answer #1 · answered by Brian 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dumb idea.
I understand the decision to retire Jackie Robinson's number, but I think even that was unnecessary. There are other ways in which to honor players that don't involve taking possible numbers away from current players. If we start doing this, too, then where do we draw the line?
As for those comparing Clemente to Robinson, please - there's absolutely no comparison. Clemente was a great humanitarian, but he didn't break down the walls like Robinson did. He also didn't have to spend his career as a semi-outcast. If anything, Clemente probably felt grateful to Robinson.
Frank Robinson is rarely right about anything (not to mention that he's not a good person), but he's absolutely right this time around.
2006-10-18 02:37:39 · answer #2 · answered by Craig S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it shouldn't be, nor should 42 have been. Nothing against these guys, Clemente was great, Robinson was good, but there are other ways to honor them instead of retiring their numbers. A lot of people have made great contributions to baseball, their society, or country. Look at Ted Williams, a true American hero. Maybe the greatest hitter of all time, he may have been an even better fighter pilot, as he served in WWII and Korea, where he was called back into duty. He lost a lot of time in baseball while giving back to his country, but you never hear of his #9 being retired.
2006-10-17 18:24:01 · answer #3 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Frank is just angry because they didn't retire his number in Cleveland or Cincinnati.
As far as retiring #21 for Roberto, I don't know yet. I would be a
little more complicated than Jackie Robinson because the number is already retired by other people.
I never liked the idea of the Yankees retiring #9 for Maris after Graig Nettles wore it for a long time.
2006-10-18 04:40:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think retired any number is overrated just look at my favorite team of the Yankees. Most of they one digit numbers are retired expect 2 and 6 used by Deter Jeter and Joe Torre, however Jeter will get his number retired no matter what and Torre is still to be seen.... However as big fan of Clemente that I'm will say no, since then retire 44 for Hank Aaron and his Homerun total forget about Bonds, also retire 34 for Nolan Ryan for the Strikeout king, come one if they retire every number for every reason then we back in the minors with the huge numbers ranging from the 60's to 90's... so no to Roberto Clemente or any number for that matter.... Ozzie Virgil Sr. should have his number retired for being the first Dominican to play professional baseball.
2006-10-17 18:55:36 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. It isn't out of racial bias toward Roberto Clemente by any means, but his being in baseball wasn't as landmark as Jackie Robinson's entry into the game. Jackie Robinson is the reason why Roberto Clemente had an opportunity to play the game.
2006-10-18 00:22:09 · answer #6 · answered by davester1970 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
this isn't about if Roberto Clemente replaced into an outstanding participant or no longer. It also doesn't count number if he did not play for all communities. Robinson wasn't what you call light fixtures out staggering yet he nevertheless were given voted into the HOF and his style is retired by ability of out the league. This replaced into by using effect and legacy he left at the back of. He broke the racial barrier for African individuals which also help to with easing tensions with different minorities transforming into a member of communities too. Roberto Clemente also had a lasting legacy and result on baseball and maximum quickly, Latin u . s . a . of america gamers. He also did huge charity works for the poor international locations. He replaced right into a hero in some regard or perhaps has an award named after him now. His style might want to be retired.
2016-12-04 22:58:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both were great ball players that made a difference off the field, too. We should continue to honor these people. Retiring their numbers? Isn't it a little late?
2006-10-18 01:56:44 · answer #8 · answered by OldGringo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Keep retiring numbers, you'll run out! Three numbers wouldn't look as good.
Who's next, some Japanese guy's number who broke the Asian barrier, and then some other guy for something else. Why not retire Corey Lidle's number in remembrance? Barry Bonds' number when he breaks the HR record? Hell.
2006-10-17 19:43:32 · answer #9 · answered by ? 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I think it should be retired. Why shouldn't it? Clemente did the same thing as Jackie Robinson, right?
2006-10-17 19:08:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋