Another Retired Number

Retired Cardinal manager Tony LaRussa’s number 10 is the newest retired number for the St. Louis Cardinals.  Tuesday was already a pretty good day for me but that was the best thing I heard all day.

Eleven numbers have been retired by the Cardinals. Only the Yankees have more with 16.

The Cardinals have used very good judgment in deciding what numbers to retire. The general standard for the Cardinal franchise is election to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Skipper isn’t in yet, but he will be as soon as he’s eligible.  And yes, I think Ken Boyer belongs in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

I’m not a supporter of the various calls for the Cardinals to retire Willie McGee’s #51, Curt Flood’s #21 or Ted Simmons #23. All were very good, solid ballplayers but they didn’t quite have hall of fame grade careers.

McGee’s #51 isn’t officially retired, but it is worth noting that it isn’t being issued by the Cardinals.  I like that approach too.

The current owner of #23, David Freese is worthy of Simmons old number, especially after last October.  Allen Craig may prove to be worthy of Flood’s old number too.

Don’t look for the Cardinals to issue #5 any time soon even though it’s most recent owner is deep in the doghouse of most citizens of Cardinal Nation.