The lost art of Retiring Numbers

Last week, Babe Ruth’s grand daugther, Linda Ruth Tosetti, began her petition to have Babe Ruth’s number 3 retired with every major league team (the Yankees retired Babe’s number in 1948). She even created her own website and online petition to help her cause, which can be found at Retire Babe’s Number. The argument in favor of Ruth’s jersey being retired in baseball is made pretty easily (although the idea still has its detractors). Regardless, I will leave the argument for or against the retiring of Babe Ruth’s jersey for another post. What really caught my eye was Ms. Tosetti’s reasoning for retiring the number. In his article, John Discepolo quotes Ms. Tosetti as stating,

“I think baseball needs Babe Ruth again,” Rush Tosetti said. “They’re trying to manufacture him now which is unfortunate. I think they need to be reminded of what baseball was, and it’s not just show me the money.

They’re trying to manufacture him now…and its not just show me the money. I’ve previously spoken on the economic future of baseball in the aftermath of the Mitchell Report and chasing revenue in Japan, possibly at the expense of American fans, but Ms. Tosetti’s comments had me thinking of one person…Wade Boggs. They’re trying to manufacture him now…and its not just show me the money. Anybody else remember Boggs retirement ceremony with the Tampa Bay Rays? Boggs, who was well known for playing with the Red Sox, and a lesser extent, the Yankees played only 2 years with the Rays, collected his 3,000th hit, retired, and promptly had his jersey retired by the Rays. Talk about taking advantage of the situation! The Rays had a celebration for Boggs, which probably boosted attendance for that day, probably sold some memorabilia based on the event, some jerseys, some pictures, etc. It basically ends up being an undeserved shot in the arm revenue-wise for your favorite sports team. I mean seriously…retiring Boggs’ jersey after two seasons? It looks even worse when you consider the fact that Boggs #12 hasn’t even been retired by the Red Sox. They’re trying to manufacture him now…and its not just show me the money. Retiring jerseys has always been a way to revere a great player, almost a “we appreciate you” moment of sorts. Always combined with that moment of appreciation is the spending of money by fans. At some point, teams realized they could make money off the situation, hence the Boggs’ situation. But doesn’t a situation like Boggs’ cheapen the entire idea of retiring jerseys? Boggs is a great player yes, but he wasn’t a great player for the Rays, and he only played in Tampa Bay for 2 years! At some point, retiring numbers could have an adverse effect on the brand of a team and it obviously decreases the numbers that remaining and future players can wear (what player wants to wear #99 in baseball?). Take a team like the Celtics, for example. They have retired 22 numbers with Paul Pierce’s number left to be retired once he is done playing (Note to Celtics: If Garnett and Allen only play 3 years with the Celtics, don’t retire their jerseys. Please!). At some point, the Celtics brand will not only be diminished, but, jersey sales for future stars could be in jeopardy (who wants to wear #100 on their back?).

My point? Even though Ms. Tosetti made her point under different circumstances, she’s absolutely right; sports teams are trying to manufacture revenue, when its not just about making money. Retiring jerseys used to be a significant achievement and, with so many other things being cheapened in sports, why tarnish that ceremony as well?

So…Does that mean all of baseball should retire Babe Ruth’s number? I don’t know. What I do know is this, if Barry Bonds goes and plays for the Rays this year, I better not see a number 25 in their rafters in 2012.

***Editors Note: Clyde Drexler (Houston Rockets) or Ray Bourque (Colorado Avalanche) could be substituted for Boggs in this post.

WCBSTV.com: Grand daugther wants MLB to retire Ruth’s #3

Sports Business Digest: MLB in Japan: Follow the money, but at what price?

Sports Business Digest: Bud Selig loves…The Wu-Tang Clan?

Tags: Babe Ruth, Baseball, Linda Ruth Tosetti, MLB, retiring numbers, Wade Boggs

Category: Miscellaneous