Bill Russell became the third sportsman to have his jersey retired across a league, joining Jackie Robinson and Wayne Gretzky. Here are some other athletes who could potentially have their jerseys retired.
Every MLB team's retired numbers originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
One of the most iconic moments in professional sports is having your number retired.
While MLB has seen numerous legendary players have their numbers retired, the league has only had one number retired throughout.
So, who is the player that reached that remarkable milestone and what are the retired numbers for each MLB team? Here we do a deep dive:
Is 42 the only number retired in baseball?
The MLB retired Jackie Robinson's number (42) on April 15, 1997.
Robinson's number remains the only one to be retired across the league.
Sports
What is Jackie Robinson Day?
Every year on April 15, the league recognizes the former Dodgers second baseman on Jackie Robinson Day.
Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter.
The celebration is an honor of Robinson's major league debut in 1947 and is celebrated by all players, coaches, managers and umpires wearing No. 42.
Robinson is best known for breaking the color barrier in baseball.
What is the most retired number in the MLB?
No. 20 has been retired by 11 teams, more than any other number.
After that, it’s No. 14 at 10 times.
What is the rarest number in MLB?
Ahead of the 2020 MLB season, Nos. 86, 89 and 92 had never been worn, according to Baseball Reference.
In August 2020, the Cardinals checked those two numbers off the list with reliever Génesis Cabrera taking No. 92 and reliever Jesus Cruz wearing No. 86.
Finally, No. 89 was worn on the last day of August 2021 with Yankees pitcher Miguel Yajure wearing it, marking the date every number had appeared on a big league diamond.
What are the retired numbers for each MLB team?
The retired jersey numbers from each team are as follows:
Athletics (8)
- 9: Reggie Jackson, RF
- 24: Rickey Henderson, LF
- 27: Catfish Hunter, RHP
- 34: Rollie Fingers, RHP
- 34: Dave Stewart, P
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 43: Dennis Eckersley, RHP
- No number: Walter A. Haas Jr., owner
Angels (6)
- 11: Jim Fregosi, SS
- 26: Gene Autry, owner
- 29: Rod Carew, 1B
- 30: Nolan Ryan, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 50: Jimmie Reese, coach
Astros (10)
- 5: Jeff Bagwell, 1B
- 7: Craig Biggio, C/2B/OF
- 24: Jimmy Wynn, OF
- 25: Jose Cruz, OF
- 32: Jim Umbricht, RHP
- 33: Mike Scott, RHP
- 34: Nolan Ryan, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 40: Don Wilson, RHP
- 49: Larry Dierker, RHP
Blue Jays (3)
- 12: Roberto Alomar, 2B
- 32: Roy Halladay, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Braves (11)
- 3: Dale Murphy, OF
- 6: Bobby Cox, manager
- 10: Chipper Jones, 3B
- 21: Warren Spahn, LHP
- 29: John Smoltz, RHP
- 31: Greg Maddux, RHP
- 35: Phil Niekro, RHP
- 41: Eddie Mathews, 3B
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 44: Hank Aaron, OF
- 47: Tom Glavine, LHP
Brewers (6)
- 1: Bud Selig, owner
- 4: Paul Molitor, INF/DH
- 19: Robin Yount, SS/CF
- 34: Rollie Fingers, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 44: Hank Aaron, OF/DH
Cardinals (16)
- 1: Ozzie Smith, SS
- 2: Red Schoendienst, 2B
- 6: Stan Musial, 1B/OF
- 9: Enos Slaughter, RF
- 10: Tony La Russa, manager
- 14: Ken Boyer, 3B
- 17: Dizzy Dean, RHP
- 20: Lou Brock, LF
- 23: Ted Simmons, C
- 24: Whitey Herzog, manager
- 42: Bruce Sutter, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 45: Bob Gibson, RHP
- 85: August A. Busch, owner
- No number: Rogers Hornsby, 2B
- No number: Jack Buck, broadcaster
Cubs (7)
- 10: Ron Santo, 3B
- 14: Ernie Banks, SS/1B
- 23: Ryne Sandberg, 2B
- 26: Billy Williams, OF
- 31: Ferguson Jenkins, RHP
- 31: Greg Maddux, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Diamondbacks (3)
- 20: Luis Gonzalez, OF
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 51: Randy Johnson, LHP
Dodgers (11)
- 1: Pee Wee Reese, SS
- 2: Tommy Lasorda, manager
- 4: Duke Snider, CF
- 14: Gil Hodges, 1B
- 19: Jim Gilliam, INF/OF/coach
- 20: Don Sutton, RHP
- 24: Walter Alston, manager
- 32: Sandy Koufax, LHP
- 39: Roy Campanella, C
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 53: Don Drysdale, RHP
Giants (14)
- 3: Bill Terry, 1B
- 4: Mel Ott, OF
- 11: Carl Hubbell, LHP
- 20: Monte Irvin, OF
- 22: Will Clark, 1B
- 24: Willie Mays, CF
- 25: Barry Bonds, LF
- 27: Juan Marichal, RHP
- 30: Orlando Cepeda, 1B
- 36: Gaylord Perry, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 44: Willie McCovey, 1B
- No number: Christy Mathewson, RHP
- No number: John McGraw, manager
Guardians (9)
- 3: Earl Averill, OF
- 5: Lou Boudreau, SS/manager
- 14: Larry Doby, OF
- 18: Mel Harder, RHP
- 19: Bob Feller, RHP
- 20: Frank Robinson, OF/manager
- 21: Bob Lemon, RHP
- 25: Jim Thome, 1B
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Mariners (2)
- 11: Edgar Martinez, DH
- 24: Ken Griffey Jr., CF
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Marlins (1)
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Mets (8)
- 14: Gil Hodges, manager
- 17: Keith Hernandez, 1B
- 24: Willie Mays, CF
- 31: Mike Piazza, C
- 36: Jerry Koosman, P
- 37: Casey Stengel, manager
- 41: Tom Seaver, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Orioles (7)
- 4: Earl Weaver, manager
- 5: Brooks Robinson, 3B
- 8: Cal Ripken Jr., SS
- 20: Frank Robinson, OF
- 22: Jim Palmer, RHP
- 33: Eddie Murray, 1B
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Nationals/Expos (5)
- 8: Gary Carter, C
- 10: Rusty Staub, RF
- 10: Andre Dawson, OF
- 30: Tim Raines, LF
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Phillies (10)
- 1: Richie Ashburn, OF
- 14: Jim Bunning, RHP
- 15: Dick Allen, 1B
- 20: Mike Schmidt, 3B
- 32: Steve Carlton, LHP
- 34: Roy Halladay, P
- 36: Robin Roberts, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- "P": Grover Cleveland Alexander, RHP
- "P": Chuck Klein, OF
Pirates (10)
- 1: Billy Meyer, manager
- 4: Ralph Kiner, OF
- 8: Willie Stargell, OF/1B
- 9: Bill Mazeroski, 2B
- 11: Paul Waner, OF
- 20: Pie Traynor, 3B
- 21: Roberto Clemente, OF
- 33: Honus Wagner, SS
- 40: Danny Murtaugh, manager
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Padres (6)
- 6: Steve Garvey, 1B
- 19: Tony Gwynn, OF
- 31: Dave Winfield, OF
- 35: Randy Jones, LHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 51: Trevor Hoffman, RHP
Rangers (6)
- 7: Ivan Rodriguez, C
- 10: Michael Young, INF
- 26: Johnny Oates, manager
- 29: Adrian Beltre, 3B
- 34: Nolan Ryan, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Rays (3)
- 12: Wade Boggs, 3B
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 66: Don Zimmer, coach
Red Sox (11)
- 1: Bobby Doerr, 2B
- 4: Joe Cronin, SS
- 6: Johnny Pesky, SS/3B
- 8: Carl Yastrzemski, LF
- 9: Ted Williams, LF
- 14: Jim Rice, LF
- 26: Wade Boggs, 3B
- 27: Carlton Fisk, C
- 34: David Ortiz, DH
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 45: Pedro Martinez, RHP
Reds (11)
- 1: Fred Hutchinson, manager
- 5: Johnny Bench, C
- 8: Joe Morgan, 2B
- 10: Sparky Anderson, manager
- 11: Barry Larkin, SS
- 13: Davey Concepcion, SS
- 14: Pete Rose, INF/OF
- 18: Ted Kluszewski, 1B
- 20: Frank Robinson, OF
- 24: Tony Perez, 3B/1B
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Rockies (3)
- 17: Todd Helton, 1B
- 33: Larry Walker, OF
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Royals (4)
- 5: George Brett, 3B
- 10: Dick Howser, manager
- 20: Frank White, 2B
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
Tigers (10)
- 1: Lou Whitaker, 2B
- 2: Charlie Gehringer, 2B
- 3: Alan Trammell, SS
- 5: Hank Greenberg, 1B
- 6: Al Kaline, OF
- 11: Sparky Anderson, manager
- 16: Hal Newhouser, LHP
- 23: Willie Horton, OF
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 47: Jack Morris, RHP
Twins (10)
- 3: Harmon Killebrew, 1B
- 6: Tony Oliva, RF
- 7: Joe Mauer, C
- 10: Tom Kelly, manager
- 14: Kent Hrbek, 1B
- 28: Bert Blyleven, RHP
- 29: Rod Carew, 2B
- 34: Kirby Puckett, CF
- 36: Jim Kaat, P
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
White Sox (12)
- 2: Nellie Fox, 2B
- 3: Harold Baines, OF/DH
- 4: Luke Appling, SS
- 9: Minnie Minoso, OF
- 11: Luis Aparicio, SS
- 14: Paul Konerko, 1B
- 16: Ted Lyons, RHP
- 19: Billy Pierce, LHP
- 35: Frank Thomas, 1B
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 56: Mark Buehrle, LHP
- 72: Carlton Fisk, C
Yankees (24)
- 1: Billy Martin, 2B/manager
- 2: Derek Jeter, SS
- 3: Babe Ruth, RF
- 4: Lou Gehrig, 1B
- 5: Joe DiMaggio, CF
- 6: Joe Torre, manager
- 7: Mickey Mantle, CF
- 8: Yogi Berra, C/manager
- 8: Bill Dickey, C
- 9: Roger Maris, RF
- 10: Phil Rizzuto, SS
- 15: Thurman Munson, C
- 16: Whitey Ford, LHP
- 20: Jorge Posada, C
- 21: Paul O'Neill, P
- 23: Don Mattingly, 1B
- 32: Elston Howard, C
- 37: Casey Stengel, manager
- 42: Mariano Rivera, RHP
- 42: Jackie Robinson, INF
- 44: Reggie Jackson, RF
- 46: Andy Pettitte, LHP
- 49: Ron Guidry, LHP
- 51: Bernie Williams, CF
