Who Wore Number 8 in MLB?
Baseball is a sport of numbers and the MLB players who have worn number 8 are some of the most recognizable in the sport. From Hall of Fame legends to All-Star caliber players, the number 8 has been worn by some of the most successful players in the game.
Legends of Baseball Who Wore Number 8
The list of legends who have worn number 8 in the majors is a long one. Here are some of the most notable players:
- Yogi Berra: One of the greatest catchers in baseball history, Berra was an All-Star for 15 seasons, winning three MVP awards and 10 World Series championships with the Yankees. He wore number 8 for his entire career.
- Joe Morgan: Morgan was an All-Star for 10 seasons and won back-to-back MVP awards in 1975 and 1976. He was a major part of the Cincinnati Reds’ “Big Red Machine” teams that won two World Series in the 1970s.
- Reggie Jackson: The iconic slugger was a 14-time All-Star who won five World Series rings and two MVP awards. He wore number 8 with the Yankees and Athletics.
- Babe Ruth: The Sultan of Swat wore number 8 with the Yankees and Red Sox, becoming one of the most iconic figures in baseball history. He was a 14-time All-Star and won three MVP awards.
- Derek Jeter: The Yankees legend is the most recent player to don the number 8, wearing it for his entire 20-year career. He was a 14-time All-Star and won five World Series titles.
- Hank Aaron: Aaron was an All-Star for 21 seasons and won three MVP awards. He wore number 8 for his entire career, setting the all-time home run record in 1974.
Other Notable Players Who Wore Number 8
In addition to the legendary players listed above, there have been a number of other notable players who have worn number 8. Here are a few of the most well-known:
- Jim Rice: Rice was an All-Star for 15 consecutive seasons and won the MVP award in 1978. He wore number 8 for his entire career.
- Cal Ripken Jr.: Ripken was an All-Star for 19 seasons and won two MVP awards. He wore number 8 with the Orioles for his entire career.
- Ken Griffey Jr.: The beloved slugger was an All-Star for 13 seasons and won 10 Gold Glove awards. He wore number 8 with the Mariners and Reds.
- Eddie Murray: Murray was an All-Star for nine seasons and won three Gold Glove awards. He wore number 8 with the Orioles and Dodgers.
- Billy Martin: Martin was an All-Star for five seasons and managed the Yankees for five different stints. He wore number 8 for his entire playing career.
- Dave Winfield: Winfield was an All-Star for 12 seasons and won seven Gold Glove awards. He wore number 8 with the Padres, Yankees, and Blue Jays.
Number 8 in the Hall of Fame
A number of the players who have worn number 8 have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Here are the Hall of Famers who wore the number 8:
- Yogi Berra: Inducted in 1972
- Joe Morgan: Inducted in 1990
- Reggie Jackson: Inducted in 1993
- Babe Ruth: Inducted in 1936
- Hank Aaron: Inducted in 1982
- Jim Rice: Inducted in 2009
- Cal Ripken Jr.: Inducted in 2007
- Ken Griffey Jr.: Inducted in 2016
- Eddie Murray: Inducted in 2003
- Billy Martin: Inducted in 1986
- Dave Winfield: Inducted in 2001
Number 8 in Retired Numbers
A number of teams have retired the number 8 in honor of the players who have worn it. Here is a list of the teams that have retired the number 8:
- New York Yankees: Retired in 1972 in honor of Yogi Berra
- Cincinnati Reds: Retired in 1998 in honor of Joe Morgan
- Oakland Athletics: Retired in 2004 in honor of Reggie Jackson
- Baltimore Orioles: Retired in 2001 in honor of Cal Ripken Jr.
- Seattle Mariners: Retired in 2016 in honor of Ken Griffey Jr.
Number 8 in Movies and TV
The number 8 has been featured in a number of movies and television shows. Here are some of the most notable:
- The Natural (1984): Robert Redford plays Roy Hobbs, a baseball player who wears number 8.
- The Sandlot (1993): The main character, Benny “The Jet” Rodriguez, wears number 8.
- The Simpsons (1989): Homer Simpson wears number 8 on his softball team.
- Major League (1989): Willie Mays Hayes wears number 8 in the movie.
- A League of Their Own (1992): Dottie Hinson wears number 8 on her baseball team.
Number 8 in Pop Culture
The number 8 has also been referenced in a number of popular songs and other pieces of popular culture. Here are some of the most famous:
- “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” (1908): The song references the number 8 in the line “Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, I don’t care if I never get back.”
- “Centerfield” (1985): The song by John Fogerty includes the line “Put me in coach, I’m ready to play, today. Look at me, I can be Centerfield.”
- “Number 8” (1993): The song by the band R.E.M. includes the lyrics “Number 8, Number 8, I’ll be your lucky number 8.”
- Nintendo Baseball (1985): The classic NES game featured a team of players wearing number 8.
Conclusion
The number 8 has been worn by some of the most iconic players in baseball history. From Hall of Famers like Yogi Berra and Joe Morgan to modern stars like Derek Jeter and Ken Griffey Jr., the number 8 has been worn by some of the greatest players in the game. It has also been featured in movies, TV shows, songs, and video games, making it one of the most recognizable numbers in baseball.