Legendary New York Yankees with Retired Jersey Numbers

By Oliver Wiener September 02, 2024 10:24

Photo by Mike Segar/Reuters/File

One of the more significant honors a player can receive in all sports is to have your jersey retired. Called a tribute to note exceptional achievements in the sport and its players, it says history should remember this player for future generations. As one of the premier brands in all major league sports, it's no surprise that perhaps more than any team ever, numbers are retired by the New York Yankees. This piece looks at the lives and careers of those Yankees, individually unpacking their legacy on the field.

Babe Ruth (#3)

Career Highlights and Achievements

The most legendary and dominant player in the history of baseball, Babe Ruth transcended his era with pure power. He slugged 659 long balls, a franchise record for decades that spanned over his career in pinstripes, which lasted longer than most baseball players' careers.

Key Stats & Achievements

Home Runs: 714 total, 659 with the Yankees

World Series Titles: 7 (4 with the Yankees)

MVP Awards: 1 (1923 MVP)

Lou Gehrig (#4)

Highlights and Contributions in Career

The Iron Horse was a model regimen of durability and greatness. Gehrig did show resilience, playing 2,130 straight games. He formed one of the best-known pairs in baseball history with Babe Ruth.

Notable Stats and Achievements

Batting Average: .340 career average.

World Series Titles: 6 World Championships

MVP Awards: 2 MVP awards.

Joe DiMaggio (#5)

Career Highlights & Contributions

Joe DiMaggio (The Yankee Clipper) is known for his smooth, beautiful play and record 56-game hitting streak. His grace and ability became the backbone of what proved to be a glorious era in Yankee history, the 1940s.

Key Stats & Accomplishments

Batting Average: .325 career average

MLB World Series: 9 titles

MVP Awards: 3 MVP awards

Mickey Mantle (#7)

Major Career Highlights and Contributions

Mickey Mantle was a switch-hitting heroic power man who embodied post-war Yankee repression. The speed, power, perfect timing, and well-known clutch factor made him a very liked player.

Key Statistics and Accomplishments

Homeruns: 536 Career Home Runs

World Series Titles: 7 titles

MVP Awards: 3 MVP awards

Yogi Berra (#8)

Career Highlights & Contributions

Yogi Berra was one of the best catchers ever to play baseball, a leader who came through in big situations. Ten World Series rings testify to his influence on the Yankees' dynasty.

Key Statistics and Accomplishments

Championships: 10 World Series Titles

MVP Awards: 3 MVP awards

Cultural Impact

These retired numbers tell a story that lives on longer than any of the men who've worn them. They're the faces of a brand new baseball era, and that defined them as much in American culture. Their legacies have inspired generations of fans and players alike, solidifying them as part of the baseball greats.

The New York Yankees have always been held up as the model for excellence, and these players embody what has made them such a storied franchise. Fans will celebrate their accomplishments as legends of this iconic ballclub for years to come.