What is the Highest Jersey Number in Baseball?
Baseball has been called America’s favorite pastime for generations, with the game’s rich history and culture drawing in fans from around the world. From the New York Yankees to the Chicago Cubs, each team has its own unique identity and style. One of the most iconic elements of a team’s identity is the jersey number worn by its players. Throughout the years, some of the most recognizable players in baseball history have been associated with their jersey numbers, and many of these numbers are retired in honor of the player who wore them. But what is the highest jersey number ever worn in baseball?
Retired Numbers
In Major League Baseball (MLB), certain jersey numbers are retired in honor of a player or manager who has made a significant impact on the game. The practice of retiring numbers started in the 1930s, when teams began to retire the numbers of players who had died while still active in the league. Since then, teams have retired numbers in honor of certain players or coaches who have made a lasting impact on the game.
The most notable retired numbers include Jackie Robinson’s number 42, which was retired for all teams in 1997, and Yogi Berra’s number 8, which was retired by the New York Yankees in 1972. Other retired numbers such as Ted Williams’ number 9, Willie Mays’ number 24, and Hank Aaron’s number 44, have become iconic symbols of the players who wore them. As of 2021, there are a total of 252 jersey numbers retired across all 30 teams in MLB.
The Highest Retired Jersey Number
The highest retired jersey number in MLB is number 45, which is currently retired by five teams across the league. The first team to retire number 45 was the Houston Astros in honor of pitcher Joe Niekro, who wore the number from 1975-1985. The San Francisco Giants retired the number in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal in 1983, and the Baltimore Orioles retired the number in honor of pitcher Jim Palmer in 1985. The Cincinnati Reds retired number 45 in honor of pitcher Mario Soto in 1996, and the Atlanta Braves retired the number in honor of pitcher Greg Maddux in 2009.
The Highest Non-Retired Jersey Number
The highest non-retired jersey number in MLB is number 99, which is currently worn by several players across the league. The number was first worn in 1969 by California Angels outfielder Willie Davis, who wore the number from 1969-1971. Since then, the number has been worn by several notable players, including Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, who wore the number from 1997-2004 with the Boston Red Sox.
The number 99 was also famously worn by New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada from 2000-2011. Other players who have worn the number include outfielder Torii Hunter and pitcher Chris Carpenter. As of 2021, there are a total of five players currently wearing number 99 in MLB.
The Highest Jersey Number in Baseball History
The highest jersey number ever worn in MLB history is number 175, which was worn by pitcher Bob Kammeyer with the San Diego Padres in 1987. Kammeyer appeared in one game for the Padres in 1987, wearing the number 175 jersey. The number was unofficially retired by the Padres in 1988, and Kammeyer has since become a cult hero in San Diego.
Unusual Jersey Numbers
In recent years, there has been a trend of players wearing unusual jersey numbers in MLB. From Francisco Lindor’s number 12 to Ben Zobrist’s number 18, some of the most recognizable players in the league have chosen to wear numbers outside the traditional range of 1-99. Other players such as Justin Verlander, who wears number 35, and Yasiel Puig, who wears number 66, have chosen numbers that reflect their own personal style.
The Significance of Jersey Numbers
For many players, jersey numbers have a deep personal significance. For some, the number is a tribute to a loved one or a favorite player from their childhood. For others, the number is a reminder of their journey and the struggles they have endured to reach the major leagues.
For many fans, the jersey number is one of the first elements of a player’s identity that is recognized. Players such as Derek Jeter, who wore number 2 for the New York Yankees, and Mike Trout, who wears number 27 for the Los Angeles Angels, are closely associated with the numbers they wear.
The Highest Jersey Number Ever Worn in Baseball
The highest jersey number ever worn in baseball is number 175, which was worn by pitcher Bob Kammeyer with the San Diego Padres in 1987. Kammeyer’s number 175 is unofficially retired by the Padres, and he has become a cult hero in San Diego.
The highest non-retired jersey number in MLB is number 99, which is currently worn by several players across the league. The number was first worn in 1969 by California Angels outfielder Willie Davis, and it has since been worn by several notable players, including Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, who wore the number from 1997-2004 with the Boston Red Sox.
Retired Numbers Across MLB
As of 2021, there are a total of 252 jersey numbers retired across all 30 teams in MLB. The most notable retired numbers include Jackie Robinson’s number 42, which was retired for all teams in 1997, and Yogi Berra’s number 8, which was retired by the New York Yankees in 1972. Other retired numbers such as Ted Williams’ number 9, Willie Mays’ number 24, and Hank Aaron’s number 44, have become iconic symbols of the players who wore them.
The Highest Jersey Numbers in Other Sports
In other sports, the highest jersey numbers vary depending on the league. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), the highest jersey number ever worn is number 73, which was worn by Anthony Mason with the Miami Heat in 2008. In the National Football League (NFL), the highest jersey number ever worn is number 99, which was worn by defensive end Jared Allen with the Minnesota Vikings in 2008.
Conclusion
Throughout the years, jersey numbers have become an important part of a team’s identity and an iconic symbol of the players who wore them. The highest jersey number ever worn in MLB is number 175, which was worn by pitcher Bob Kammeyer with the San Diego Padres in 1987. The highest non-retired jersey number in MLB is number 99, which is currently worn by several players across the league. The highest jersey numbers in other sports vary depending on the league, with the NBA’s highest being number 73 and the NFL’s highest being number 99.