Roberto Clemente

[histrionics22]

What do you think? Should his number be retired by MLB?

[ntb60]

I'd be fine with it. This guy's a legend

[FondestMemory]

i wouldn't be opposed to it happening, but personally i would be fine without it.

i'm a huge huge clemente fan, one of my favorite players ever. but jackie robinson's number being retired was a huge deal, which it should have been. retiring another number may take away from that.

what i think would be great, is if he were still honoured in every ball park, with a clemente jersey or banner placed somewhere in the stadium. just, not necessarily retiring his number.

of course, this is all biased as a life long pirates fan.

[histrionics22]

I'm biased as well obviously.

I feel that it really wouldn't take away from Robinson. Sadly, Clemente went through a lot when he first came into the league as well. He opened the door to latin players just as much as Robinson opened it for african players.

[FondestMemory]

I'm biased as well obviously.

I feel that it really wouldn't take away from Robinson. Sadly, Clemente went through a lot when he first came into the league as well. He opened the door to latin players just as much as Robinson opened it for african players.

i agree with that. i guess i just don't trust mlb and think that if they do it, it will open the gates to more numbers being retired league wide. if it were just robinson and clemente, that'd be great. but if they have two, what's to stop them from doing more whenever they want, ya know? mlb just worries me.

i would absolutely love it if they would though. but like i said, i'd be just as happy if he were just honoured in every park without the number being retired.

[cantnokdahustle]

as a player and a person, without a doubt! I really don't see how retiring 21 in any way diminishes what Jackie Robinson did.

[fire on my lips]

i agree with that. i guess i just don't trust mlb and think that if they do it, it will open the gates to more numbers being retired league wide. if it were just robinson and clemente, that'd be great. but if they have two, what's to stop them from doing more whenever they want, ya know? mlb just worries me.

i would absolutely love it if they would though. but like i said, i'd be just as happy if he were just honoured in every park without the number being retired.
I think it should be, but I see what you mean. Selig could decide to retire numbers of Hall of Fame players, which would be annoying and a waste. If they did that, it would just diminish what Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente did.
I think only those two should have their numbers retired.

[mat1419]

he was a great player and a great man, but i don't see the need to retire his number for good. the line has to be drawn somewhere.

[bigmike]

I understand his legend and such, but personally i don't think it should be retired. keep giving out the roberto clemente award and keep his rememberence alive, but where do you stop? What about babe ruth? Hank Aaron? I think it takes away slightly from Jackie Robinson if his number get's retired all the way across the board. I don't want to make it seem like i'm trivializing roberto clemente because i'm not, i just don't think his number should be retired league wide.

[LeftWideOpen]

I'm biased as well obviously.

I feel that it really wouldn't take away from Robinson. Sadly, Clemente went through a lot when he first came into the league as well. He opened the door to latin players just as much as Robinson opened it for african players.

i think, for once, me and you are on the same page.

[Broken Parachute]

I can see reasons why, definitely, but I see better reasons why not. 42 was not a very common number, plus Jackie Robinson basically changed the game forever. He did something nobody else had the courage to do. Clemente was a great guy, and especially since he died young and still reached 3000 hits..there's a good reason to retire his number. But it would definitely take away from how special Robinson's career was. Continue with the Roberto Clemente award and remember him, but don't take away from Robinson.

I voted yes, by the way, before I thought it out..so even though I voted yes, I meant no.

[histrionics22]

i think, for once, me and you are on the same page.
Surprising.

But for those not in favor of it, he really paved the way for how baseball is today. Latin players are finally flourishing in the league and its mostly thanks to Clemente.

Also, I think many people are not aware of how harsh the media was on him. For instance, they never would change his quotes to make sense. However the words came out of his mouth, in what little english he knew, was how it was printed. It really was ridiculous.

[LeftWideOpen]

I can see reasons why, definitely, but I see better reasons why not. 42 was not a very common number, plus Jackie Robinson basically changed the game forever. He did something nobody else had the courage to do. Clemente was a great guy, and especially since he died young and still reached 3000 hits..there's a good reason to retire his number. But it would definitely take away from how special Robinson's career was. Continue with the Roberto Clemente award and remember him, but don't take away from Robinson.

I voted yes, by the way, before I thought it out..so even though I voted yes, I meant no.

i disagree, respectfully, to two points ..1) that how common the number is should matter and 2) that clemente isn't as important as robinson. clearly, african americans have a much more documented struggle in american history, but the struggles facing latin americans (which still exist today) have been numerous, too.

i think what clemente did for latin ballplayers wasnt as publicized as what jackie did for african americans, but it was just as important. i don't think we should single out what jackie did for african americans ..i think all races face tough circumstances in our nation and if you are going to honor one player is the pioneer for his race in baseball, you should honor them all.

[Jesse2]

i disagree, respectfully, to two points ..1) that how common the number is should matter and 2) that clemente isn't as important as robinson. clearly, african americans have a much more documented struggle in american history, but the struggles facing latin americans (which still exist today) have been numerous, too.

i think what clemente did for latin ballplayers wasnt as publicized as what jackie did for african americans, but it was just as important. i don't think we should single out what jackie did for african americans ..i think all races face tough circumstances in our nation and if you are going to honor one player is the pioneer for his race in baseball, you should honor them all.

i agree, respectfully

[histrionics22]

i disagree, respectfully, to two points ..1) that how common the number is should matter and 2) that clemente isn't as important as robinson. clearly, african americans have a much more documented struggle in american history, but the struggles facing latin americans (which still exist today) have been numerous, too.

i think what clemente did for latin ballplayers wasnt as publicized as what jackie did for african americans, but it was just as important. i don't think we should single out what jackie did for african americans ..i think all races face tough circumstances in our nation and if you are going to honor one player is the pioneer for his race in baseball, you should honor them all.
Exactly. The role he played in opening up MLB to latin players is not as documented as Robinson to african-americans. People see him more as the amazing player he was, and not the important latin figure he was, when it should be both.

[Broken Parachute]

i disagree, respectfully, to two points ..1) that how common the number is should matter and 2) that clemente isn't as important as robinson. clearly, african americans have a much more documented struggle in american history, but the struggles facing latin americans (which still exist today) have been numerous, too.

i think what clemente did for latin ballplayers wasnt as publicized as what jackie did for african americans, but it was just as important. i don't think we should single out what jackie did for african americans ..i think all races face tough circumstances in our nation and if you are going to honor one player is the pioneer for his race in baseball, you should honor them all.

Exactly. The role he played in opening up MLB to latin players is not as documented as Robinson to african-americans. People see him more as the amazing player he was, and not the important latin figure he was, when it should be both.

Well, I'm an idiot..I really didn't take into account his role in the Latin community, I just viewed him as a great player with a great heart. I didn't take into account the effect he had on making way for the Latin players.

[bigmike]

Luis Aparicio was right around the same time as Clemente and doesn't get nearly the pub that Clemente does. But what Aparicio did is just as big as clemente. Many venezuelan SS's wear Aparicio's number because he's such an icon.

[LeftWideOpen]

Luis Aparicio was right around the same time as Clemente and doesn't get nearly the pub that Clemente does. But what Aparicio did is just as big as clemente. Many venezuelan SS's wear Aparicio's number because he's such an icon.

but to the same effect, a bunch of african americans were signed shortly after robinson was.

[Jesse2]

if a girl ever makes it to the majors do you think mlb retires her number in the same fashion (no pun intended)?

[LeftWideOpen]

if a girl ever makes it to the majors do you think mlb retires her number in the same fashion (no pun intended)?

they would, but i don't think they'll ever get the chance because you seldom ever see a woman playing baseball past little league. baseball has always been a far more political sport than any other in america (which is why you don't see numbers of women goalies in hockey retired).

[Broken Parachute]

if a girl ever makes it to the majors do you think mlb retires her number in the same fashion (no pun intended)?
Girls don't belong in the MLB and they never will be.

[Jesse2]

Girls don't belong in the MLB and they never will be.

simply throwing the question out there for discussion :)

[bigmike]

but to the same effect, a bunch of african americans were signed shortly after robinson was.
and i feel that Larry Doby should be recognized more than he is. I'm not saying to retire his number league wide, or even Aparicio's too, but both guys need to be more recognized for what they did for the american league.

I'm not goign to be upset if Clemente's number get's retired league wide, though. There's a great case for it.

[Broken Parachute]

simply throwing the question out there for discussion :)
I know, I was just saying..if girls are allowed in the MLB, that's ridiculous. I'm not sexist or anything, but it's the same with Michelle Wie. It's a gimmick. They have women's leagues for a reason.

[histrionics22]

if a girl ever makes it to the majors do you think mlb retires her number in the same fashion (no pun intended)?
That goalie for the Tampa Bay Lightning cant even have her name remembered.

[FondestMemory]

That goalie for the Tampa Bay Lightning cant even have her name remembered.

wasn't she fairly hot if i remember right?

i can't remember her name to google it.

[bigmike]

wasn't she fairly hot if i remember right?

i can't remember her name to google it.
...Manon Rheaume

[Broken Parachute]

http://www.eecis.udel.edu/%7Eshipengr/Rheaume/manon_r2.jpg

[FondestMemory]

ehhh, it's wednesday night and i have nothing to do. i'd throw it in her.