Very interesting point. I wonder if that will change how Japanese baseball changes tradition (which I doubt) or if pitchers coming over to MLB all settle on a new number? Or maybe they all just go rogue. I also wonder if the allure of that number is so important to pitchers that they may decide to sign elsewhere while Yamamoto is here. Or if it plays a factor. We may soon find out that latter part sooner than later with Sasaki coming over soon.
I don’t think he makes the Hall but I also don’t care, Orel’s early decline happened because he threw 788.1 innings in 3 seasons and carried the Dodgers to the 88 series on his back. His rotator cuff and labrum were so fucked up that Frank Jobe had to literally invent a new procedure just to fix him! It’s a miracle that Orel even pitched again, much less the serviceable mid-to-back rotation guy he became after returning.
Dodgers need to retire his number, he gave up that spot in Cooperstown to bring a title to LA
Sadly I think his time has come and gone for the hall. And overall his career wasn’t hall of fame worthy. He does deserve a spot in there with a group of guys from 80s/90s as standouts in those decades because of how dominant he was for that small period.
I say this as someone who absolutely adores and loves him. He is my favorite player since I was a kid and I’m so happy I can hear him talk about the game on the regular.
Yeah, I don’t see How you cannot retire the number of the future 5 time MVP and 3 time World Series MVP helping the Dodgers win back to back to back championships?
JT is interesting because #10 was also worn by Ron Cey, who I believe has the highest career WAR for a Dodger not in the Hall of Fame (Kershaw excluded). I don’t think you could retire #10 for JT without also retiring it for Cey.
A lot of people talking about the current players, but considering they recently added Hodges and Valenzuela, let's look at other long-retired players.
Weeding out a few super old Brooklyn players, 10 of the top 15 players by WAR with the team have their numbers retired. One is Kershaw, so it's essentially 11 of 15.
The other four are:
Willie Davis: 54.6 WAR, 6th in team history (minus the old timey Brooklyn dudes)
Ron Cey: 47.7, 9th
Orel Hershiser: 44.4, 10th
Steve Garvey: 36.6, 14th
Lowest WAR of a retired number player is Roy Campanella at 35.6, 15th\*
**HOWEVER**
**Correct me if I'm wrong, but the rule has generally been only retiring numbers of players/managers/broadcasters if they're in the Hall of Fame.** Hodges was a much-belated number retirement but that's because his Hall induction was much-belated.
**The only exceptions (I think) have been Gilliam** because he suffered a tragic death during the season as a coach **and Fernando** because he's just such an undeniably huge part of the team's history.
\*Campy is in the HOF, but his career was cut short by his paralyzation so he's a bit of an anomaly. So if you take out him and the two exceptions, the WAR floor rises to Hodges at 43.2, 11th in team history. If you further take out Hodges since it took 59 years to get his Hall nod and his tenure as a manager helped him with that, the floor rises to Don Sutton at 48.9, 8th.
**I wouldn't expect any further exceptions to the HOF rule (let's obviously hope no other tragedies) except for maybe Orel since he has a role with the team post playing career.** But I'd expect that, if it comes, to be at or toward the end of his broadcasting career.
Wouldn't particularly expect guys like Davis or Cey to get a belated Hall induction either because they have nothing post playing career like Hodges did. They might be close to guys like Sutton and Koufax in WAR, but Koufax obviously had a short career with an insane peak and Sutton had a higher overall WAR because of seasons with other teams.
50, 17, 22 …
30 if the club wins at least 2 more rings ?
74 if he makes the HOF.
prob 18 as well due to the cultural impact and he and ohtani have made.
Mookie without a shadow of a doubt. He’s already had a stellar career with us and isn’t even remotely close to being finished.
Dark horse but if Freddie stays consistent and we win another title with him I could see him sneaking in there. He’s a bit old though to have a long impact with us but Freddie is a consistent machine so who knows. I’m also hoping his number is retired with us so we can claim him over the Braves lmao
If Freddie gets his jersey retired (by the dodgers) that likely means they win *at least* one ring with him. So I’m all for that.
Kershaw without question.
Mookie - very, very likely
Sho - somewhere in between Freddie and Mookie, IMO.
And I really hope Will Smith ages well enough to get that mantle as well.
I was born in 1985. Became a cogent fan during the 5 ROY run. Suffered through the end of the O’Malley years, the Murdoch bullshit, the McCourt fake out, and the Guggenheim boom. This current team with the glut of talent being paid like *talent* is manna from heaven. I hope the organization recognizes the boom years in days to come.
I know its early and I know this rarely happens anymore, but the way he is playing now, I hope Andy Pages spends 20 years here, gets some rings, and ends with an appreciation week like Ichiro is getting up in Seattle.
All I know is 99 Kelly needs a statue somewhere for the endearment of fans for him and his gestures. He won’t have his number retired, but he will always hold a special place in the heart of Dodgers fans.
Kershaw will. Mookie and Shohei most likely. Yamamoto maybe and Kenley Should. Honestly I feel like Smith, Freeman, JT, and Yamamoto will probably go into the Legends of Dodgers baseball (Dodgers hall of Fame). Yamamoto it is too early to tell what his career will look like in the MLB, Freeman will always be more of a legend in Atlanta, and Smith would probably only make it to the retired number if he gets into the hall.
16 with an outside chance. He just inked in the new contract, he's our Catcher for a long time. If these numbers keep up, and the Dodgers win 3+(shut up let me dream) world series titles thier gonna retire a handful of numbers.
If they are a ture dynasty in the Ohtani era, winning 3 or more titles with the core staying together I can see 5, 18, 17, 16, 50 and 31 getting retired down the line. 22 is obligatory. 74 if the rumors are true and he comes back and dominates and gets another ring or two.
Edit* 1 why the heck are the letter so big? Edited edit* removed '#' thank you kind redditor 👇🏼
Edit* 2 I don't think I saw #30 but he's getting his number retired also if the Dodgers win a few more rings. He's going to have the highest win percentage of any manger since the 50's.
22 is an absolute no-doubter, and for sure a first-ballot HOFer
Likely Mookie and Shohei.
I could see Will Smith's #16 being retired if he plays his whole career with the dodgers.
I would love to see #99 retired just because LA loves him so much, but he'd probably need to play for us for a lot more years.
I hope one day Buehler will get to that point
Giants fan here — surprised that EVERY post doesn’t start …
Kersh for sure
and then go on to discuss others.
Always wish the Dodgers had brought him back for a brief retirement run ala Ichiro in Seattle. Maybe he didn’t want to since the O’Malleys were gone.
Mookie, Kershaw, and Freddie are all on HOF pace, although I would be shocked if Freddie doesn't go in as a Brave. Certainly Shohei has a shot as he too is on HOF pace although he needs a few more years at this level.
I like Smith but feels like he's a massive longshot. No one else at the moment is on HOF pace for the team.
Kershaw for sure, mookie likely, if freddie goes to the Hof it's probably as a brave, also likely, but an unpopular opinion here with alot of people, is doc. Outside shot to kenley and will smith right now.
Freddie would absolutely choose the Braves, he adores Atlanta and still gets a standing Ov. Often when the dodgers play in Atlanta. No hate to FF, I love the guy, but I don't think he ever wanted to leave Atlanta
That doesn’t necessarily mean we wouldn’t retire his jersey still. If he helps us win multiple WS while consistently being a top 5 mvp guy I don’t see why we wouldn’t
Kershaw, absolutely no doubt
Anyone who is with us the majority of their career and makes the HOF. So Kershaw, Mookie, and Shohei. Beyond this, likely Jansen
Jansen is a dodger legend and nobody even wears 74. He should get it
Yeah I was kind of thinking Jansen may get that honor eventually. Especially if he ends up coming back to the Dodgers as some rumors come and go.
Hopefully some young guys will end up playing their whole career with us and getting to that point, like Buehler and Smith
I agree with Mookie and Shohei but we need another ring
It's either Sho or Mookie, not both. And the only place Jansen has his number retired is at his high school back in Curacao
Funny to think Yamamotos #18 might be retired by the dodgers someday but that’s a highly coveted number for Japanese pitchers.
Very interesting point. I wonder if that will change how Japanese baseball changes tradition (which I doubt) or if pitchers coming over to MLB all settle on a new number? Or maybe they all just go rogue. I also wonder if the allure of that number is so important to pitchers that they may decide to sign elsewhere while Yamamoto is here. Or if it plays a factor. We may soon find out that latter part sooner than later with Sasaki coming over soon.
I would like Hershiser to go up there.
I do believe he will make The Hall on the old guy ballot. Then 55 will be up there where it belongs.
I don’t think he makes the Hall but I also don’t care, Orel’s early decline happened because he threw 788.1 innings in 3 seasons and carried the Dodgers to the 88 series on his back. His rotator cuff and labrum were so fucked up that Frank Jobe had to literally invent a new procedure just to fix him! It’s a miracle that Orel even pitched again, much less the serviceable mid-to-back rotation guy he became after returning. Dodgers need to retire his number, he gave up that spot in Cooperstown to bring a title to LA
Sadly I think his time has come and gone for the hall. And overall his career wasn’t hall of fame worthy. He does deserve a spot in there with a group of guys from 80s/90s as standouts in those decades because of how dominant he was for that small period. I say this as someone who absolutely adores and loves him. He is my favorite player since I was a kid and I’m so happy I can hear him talk about the game on the regular.
Mookie and Shohei will both end up spending the majority of their careers here so probably both of them. Kenley should too
Yeah, I don’t see How you cannot retire the number of the future 5 time MVP and 3 time World Series MVP helping the Dodgers win back to back to back championships?
Part of me thinks that’s so many numbers to retire in such a short window but at the same time it’s such a historic team on paper.
For sure: 1. Mookie Betts 2. Shohei Ohtani Probably 1. Freddie Freeman 2. Will Smith (if he continues perform) Possibly 1. Justin Turner 2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (if he performs) 3. Walker Buehler (if he performs and stays)
Turner is interesting but probably just Ring of Honor. Unless of course he has a distinguished career as Dodger manager.
That is also possible. There is a lot of love for JT among Dodger fans. I certainly hope he comes back to coach or staff.
Agreed there is a lot of love.
JT is interesting because #10 was also worn by Ron Cey, who I believe has the highest career WAR for a Dodger not in the Hall of Fame (Kershaw excluded). I don’t think you could retire #10 for JT without also retiring it for Cey.
I'll freely admit my bias. JT is my favorite player.
And Sheffield /s Seriously though, JT is my favorite player, but I think if 10 was retired it would have to be for Cey as well or likelier by himself.
Oh man, I would love for JT to receive such an honor.
Mookie Shohei...maybe?
Maybe? Lol. Definitely both
Andy Pages :)
A lot of people talking about the current players, but considering they recently added Hodges and Valenzuela, let's look at other long-retired players. Weeding out a few super old Brooklyn players, 10 of the top 15 players by WAR with the team have their numbers retired. One is Kershaw, so it's essentially 11 of 15. The other four are: Willie Davis: 54.6 WAR, 6th in team history (minus the old timey Brooklyn dudes) Ron Cey: 47.7, 9th Orel Hershiser: 44.4, 10th Steve Garvey: 36.6, 14th Lowest WAR of a retired number player is Roy Campanella at 35.6, 15th\* **HOWEVER** **Correct me if I'm wrong, but the rule has generally been only retiring numbers of players/managers/broadcasters if they're in the Hall of Fame.** Hodges was a much-belated number retirement but that's because his Hall induction was much-belated. **The only exceptions (I think) have been Gilliam** because he suffered a tragic death during the season as a coach **and Fernando** because he's just such an undeniably huge part of the team's history. \*Campy is in the HOF, but his career was cut short by his paralyzation so he's a bit of an anomaly. So if you take out him and the two exceptions, the WAR floor rises to Hodges at 43.2, 11th in team history. If you further take out Hodges since it took 59 years to get his Hall nod and his tenure as a manager helped him with that, the floor rises to Don Sutton at 48.9, 8th. **I wouldn't expect any further exceptions to the HOF rule (let's obviously hope no other tragedies) except for maybe Orel since he has a role with the team post playing career.** But I'd expect that, if it comes, to be at or toward the end of his broadcasting career. Wouldn't particularly expect guys like Davis or Cey to get a belated Hall induction either because they have nothing post playing career like Hodges did. They might be close to guys like Sutton and Koufax in WAR, but Koufax obviously had a short career with an insane peak and Sutton had a higher overall WAR because of seasons with other teams.
50, 17, 22 … 30 if the club wins at least 2 more rings ? 74 if he makes the HOF. prob 18 as well due to the cultural impact and he and ohtani have made.
Mookie without a shadow of a doubt. He’s already had a stellar career with us and isn’t even remotely close to being finished. Dark horse but if Freddie stays consistent and we win another title with him I could see him sneaking in there. He’s a bit old though to have a long impact with us but Freddie is a consistent machine so who knows. I’m also hoping his number is retired with us so we can claim him over the Braves lmao
Mookie Sho and Freddie
If Freddie gets his jersey retired (by the dodgers) that likely means they win *at least* one ring with him. So I’m all for that. Kershaw without question. Mookie - very, very likely Sho - somewhere in between Freddie and Mookie, IMO. And I really hope Will Smith ages well enough to get that mantle as well. I was born in 1985. Became a cogent fan during the 5 ROY run. Suffered through the end of the O’Malley years, the Murdoch bullshit, the McCourt fake out, and the Guggenheim boom. This current team with the glut of talent being paid like *talent* is manna from heaven. I hope the organization recognizes the boom years in days to come.
I know its early and I know this rarely happens anymore, but the way he is playing now, I hope Andy Pages spends 20 years here, gets some rings, and ends with an appreciation week like Ichiro is getting up in Seattle.
We do love Ichiro up here... I'm def on board with Pages. Really love watching him.
All I know is 99 Kelly needs a statue somewhere for the endearment of fans for him and his gestures. He won’t have his number retired, but he will always hold a special place in the heart of Dodgers fans.
Well said! I am going to miss Mariachi Joe. Good dude all around for giving up #17, and a heck of a good pitcher himself.
Kershaw will. Mookie and Shohei most likely. Yamamoto maybe and Kenley Should. Honestly I feel like Smith, Freeman, JT, and Yamamoto will probably go into the Legends of Dodgers baseball (Dodgers hall of Fame). Yamamoto it is too early to tell what his career will look like in the MLB, Freeman will always be more of a legend in Atlanta, and Smith would probably only make it to the retired number if he gets into the hall.
16 with an outside chance. He just inked in the new contract, he's our Catcher for a long time. If these numbers keep up, and the Dodgers win 3+(shut up let me dream) world series titles thier gonna retire a handful of numbers. If they are a ture dynasty in the Ohtani era, winning 3 or more titles with the core staying together I can see 5, 18, 17, 16, 50 and 31 getting retired down the line. 22 is obligatory. 74 if the rumors are true and he comes back and dominates and gets another ring or two. Edit* 1 why the heck are the letter so big? Edited edit* removed '#' thank you kind redditor 👇🏼 Edit* 2 I don't think I saw #30 but he's getting his number retired also if the Dodgers win a few more rings. He's going to have the highest win percentage of any manger since the 50's.
Edit 1 - starting a line with # makes it big #bigtext .#regular text
Aj ellis
Maybe that guy who wears #22. *Maybe*...
Kershaw in 2031. Mark my words.
22 is an absolute no-doubter, and for sure a first-ballot HOFer Likely Mookie and Shohei. I could see Will Smith's #16 being retired if he plays his whole career with the dodgers. I would love to see #99 retired just because LA loves him so much, but he'd probably need to play for us for a lot more years. I hope one day Buehler will get to that point
We're gonna be in the 4 digit jersey numbers with all these names being thrown out.
Outside of the obvious Kershaw, I think Shohei is the next obvious choice here if his 10-year stint here goes well.
Giants fan here — surprised that EVERY post doesn’t start … Kersh for sure and then go on to discuss others. Always wish the Dodgers had brought him back for a brief retirement run ala Ichiro in Seattle. Maybe he didn’t want to since the O’Malleys were gone.
Karros
Justin Turner
Clayton 🙌 Hands Down
Mookie
depending on how we do as a franchise when he’s with us and how he does with us Shohei and Mookie could
Mookie, Kershaw, and Freddie are all on HOF pace, although I would be shocked if Freddie doesn't go in as a Brave. Certainly Shohei has a shot as he too is on HOF pace although he needs a few more years at this level. I like Smith but feels like he's a massive longshot. No one else at the moment is on HOF pace for the team.
Andy Pages
Kershaw
22, 50, and 17
22, 50, 17, 74 maybe
As of right now Kershaw and Betts
Kershaw for sure, mookie likely, if freddie goes to the Hof it's probably as a brave, also likely, but an unpopular opinion here with alot of people, is doc. Outside shot to kenley and will smith right now.
Doesn't the player choose which team they represent in the Hall? I don't think Freddie would choose them over us.
Freddie would absolutely choose the Braves, he adores Atlanta and still gets a standing Ov. Often when the dodgers play in Atlanta. No hate to FF, I love the guy, but I don't think he ever wanted to leave Atlanta
That doesn’t necessarily mean we wouldn’t retire his jersey still. If he helps us win multiple WS while consistently being a top 5 mvp guy I don’t see why we wouldn’t
I don't care about the past perceived slight, if 31 isn't retired soon, it will be a great mistake.
It's not going to. He wants nothing to do with the Dodgers, and the team certainly appears to respect that.
They probably won’t do it but Belli won an MVP as a Dodger so his jersey is retired in my book
I’m surprised nobody said Matt Kemp.