Playing for the New York Yankees isn’t just playing baseball for any old team. It really is something special. The pinstripes are not just a uniform, but a badge of honor. If players perform well enough in the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium, they may have their numbers retired.
And boy, have the Yankees retired plenty of numbers. No, seriously. The team gives out retired numbers with Oprah-like enthusiasm. You made history with the team but were otherwise average? Don’t care! You get a retired number! Had one truly great season in a decade-plus in pinstripes?