photo by Brad Penner of USA TODAY Sports
The New York Yankees are retiring Bernie Williams‘ uniform number 51, Jorge Posada‘s number 20, and Andy Pettitte‘s number 46. In addition, each will be honored with plaques in Monument Park along with Willie Randolph.
And if you think the Yankees have retired too many numbers, don’t worry they seem to be moving into double letters: CC Sabathia and Didi Gregorius.
Bernie Williams – to be retired on May 24
Bernie Williams played his entire 16-year career with the Yankees (1991-2006), batting .297 in 2,076 games. He ranks third in franchise history in doubles (449), fifth in hits, sixth in games played and runs scored (1,366) and seventh in home runs (287) and RBI (1,257). The five-time American League All-Star (1997-2001), four-time Gold Glove winner (1997-2000) and Silver Slugger Award recipient (2002) won the American League batting title in 1998, leading the league with a .339 batting average.
He is a four-time World Series champion (1996, ’98, ’99, 2000), and is the Yankees’ all-time postseason leader in home runs (22) and RBI (80), ranks second in playoff runs scored (83), hits (128) and doubles (29) and is third in games played (121).
Garret Anderson, Brian Giles, and Bobby Bonilla all finished with the same 287 homers as Bernie.
Jorge Posada – August 22
Jorge Posada spent his entire 17-year career with the Yankees from 1995-2011, hitting .273 with 900 runs, 379 doubles, 275 homers and 1,065 RBI in 1,829 games. He played on five World Series championship teams (1996, ‘98, ‘99, 2000, ‘09). He was a five-time American League All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner (each in 2000-03, ’07).
Posada’s 275 career homers is the same as Dean Palmer, Brian Downing, and Roger Maris.
Andy Pettitte – August 23
Andy Pettitte pitched in 15 seasons with the Yankees (1995-2003, ’07-10 and ’12-13), going 219-127 with a 3.94 ERA (2,796.1 IP, 1,223 ER) and 2,020K in 447 games (438 starts). He is the franchise leader in strikeouts (2,020), is tied with Whitey Ford for most games started and trails only Ford (236 wins and 3,171.0 IP) and Red Ruffing (231 wins and 3,168.0 IP) in wins and innings pitched as a Yankee. He was a three-time American League All-Star (1996, 2001 and ’10) is the only pitcher drafted by the Yankees to win 200 games in the majors.
Pettitte is the organization’s all-time playoff leader in wins, starts, innings pitched and strikeouts. He appeared in eight career World Series (seven with the Yankees and one with Houston).
Andy Pettitte allowed 288 homers the same as John Smoltz.
Willie Randolph – June 20
Willie Randolph spent 13 seasons playing for the Yankees from 1976-88, batting .275. He appeared in 1,688 games at second base with the team, more than any Yankee second baseman. He was a five-time American League All-Star (1976-77, ’80-81 and ’87) and the 1980 AL Silver Slugger. He played in 37 postseason games with the Yankees from 1977-81. In addition to playing for the Yankees, Randolph spent 11 seasons coaching for the organization.
Of these four players, Randolph is the only one who did not start his MLB career with the Yanks playing in 30 games for the 1975 Pirates.