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Friday, July 10, 2009

Conta Costa Times: Peterson: Retired numbers thing’s getting out of hand

much ado about nothing…

THE ATHLETICS HAVE announced they are retiring Rickey Henderson’s number. It couldn’t have been an easy decision.

Not the part where they honor Rickey. That’s a no-brainer. Hometown hero, all-time great — if you’re into the retiring numbers thing, he’s precisely the kind of guy you’re looking for.

The question is, which number? Rickey wore three with the A’s: No. 35 during his first six big league seasons, No. 22 in his first couple games after returning to Oakland in 1989 and No. 24 thereafter.

Come Aug. 1, the A’s will retire No. 24. Even though Rickey wore 35 when he stole a record 130 bases in 1982. And even though we’re pretty sure Jack Hannahan would donate 22 to the cause if informed of its esoteric significance.

The A’s have been down this road before. In 2004 they retired the first number Reggie Jackson wore for the team (9) instead of the last (44). Now they’re reversing field. When it comes to the retiring numbers thing, there are no rules. That’s part of its basic charm. And its biggest flaw.

Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: July 10, 2009 at 09:46 AM | 7 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 10, 2009 at 10:27 AM (#3248541)

After a long, exhaustive search, I found something to complain about...

2. Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: July 10, 2009 at 10:31 AM (#3248546)

After a long, exhaustive search, I found something to complain about...

the horror... the horror...

</elmerfudd>

3. Steve Balboni's Personal Trainer Posted: July 10, 2009 at 11:12 AM (#3248562)

Who wrote this? Those old guys in the balcony from The Muppets?

This is another piece of admissible evidence in the case of "Newspapers are going down the toilet" vs. "Nobody Cares".

4. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 10, 2009 at 11:18 AM (#3248567)

When Rickey wore 24 with the A's, he played on two pennant winners, one WS champion and won his only MVP. I think that trumps the 130 SB season (which was actually one of the weakest seasons of his prime). I'm just really baffled by this column, still. The A's should have used the 44 Reggie wore with the team in 1986 instead of the 9 he wore in the 70's when they won 3 WS titles and Reggie won an MVP? And it's not like the A's retire #'s left and right. This is only the 5th time and there won't be any more for a long damn time. I know these guys have to make a living and crank out these columns, but I would be embarassed posting this on a thread here much less publishing it.

5. Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: July 10, 2009 at 11:31 AM (#3248575)

I know these guys have to make a living and crank out these columns, but I would be embarassed posting this on a thread here much less publishing it.

Well, it was fun to post 'cause it's so obviously screwy.

Anyhow, decent stuff on the Bay area teams is really hard to find, it seems... both the Chronicle and Contra Costa Times publish a daily bowl of pablum, and that's disappointing. This column is actually one of the more interesting A's items I've come across in the last month, if only because it's ridiculous.

6. Shooty: Applying to be Fearless Leader

Posted: July 10, 2009 at 11:35 AM (#3248578)

This column is actually one of the more interesting A's items I've come across in the last month, if only because it's ridiculous.

Go to the blogs, my brother. McCovey Chronicles and Athletics Nation occasionally post some good stuff. Fangraphs, too. I'm all for moving away from the MSM and relying on the new media for topics to talk about.

7. Baseball-Birthdays.com Posted: July 10, 2009 at 11:37 AM (#3248583)

McCovey Chronicles and Athletics Nation occasionally post some good stuff. Fangraphs, too.

thanks, Shooty... duly noted.

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Friday, July 10, 2009

Conta Costa Times: Peterson: Retired numbers thing’s getting out of hand

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