Lil Bit Special Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 http://www.sox1fan.com/?p=6621 This afternoon, the Red Sox formally announced plans to retire Jim Rice’s #14 in tribute to his career and his upcoming induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place prior to the Red Sox-Athletics game at Fenway Park on July 28th. Rice will be the seventh player to have his number retired by the Red Sox, joining Bobby Doerr (1), Joe Cronin (4), Johnny Pesky (6), Carl Yastrzemski (8), Ted Williams (9), and Carlton Fisk (27). Number 42 has been retired by all teams in Major League Baseball in honor of Dodgers great Jackie Robinson. Red Sox principal owner John Henry said: “On behalf of our partners and the entire organization, we want to congratulate Jim Rice on his upcoming induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and finally taking his rightful place among the greatest players in the game. The retirement of his number will be a fitting way to honor one of the most dominant hitters to ever wear a Red Sox uniform”. Rice was elected to the Hall of Fame on his fifteenth and final opportunity back on January 12th… of course, it was expected that if the BBWAA snubbed Jim-Ed once again he would have eventually been elected into the HOF by the Special Veterans Committee… but now we don’t have to wait. Rice is the thirty-second Red Sox player to receive the honor… according to a Red Sox press release, he is the fourth electee to spend his entire career with Boston, joining Bobby Doerr, Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski. He will be enshrined in Cooperstown on Sunday, along with outfielder Rickey Henderson who spent the 2002 season in a Red Sox uniform. Over 16 seasons from 1974-89, Rice batted .298, with 382 home runs and 1,451 RBI in 2,089 games. He earned eight All-Star selections, and placed among the top five in American League Most Valuable Player voting six times during his career — more than any other player between 1963 and 2005. He won the MVP Award in 1978, when he hit .315, with 46 HR and 139 RBI. ————————————— Below is a list of the dates of the other Red Sox number retirement ceremonies: 1 — Bobby Doerr (formally retired May 21, 1988) 4 — Joe Cronin (formally retired May 29, 1984) 6 — Johnny Pesky (formally retired September 26, 2008) 8 — Carl Yastrzemski (formally retired August 6, 1989) 9 — Ted Williams (formally retired May 29, 1984) 14 — Jim Rice (to be formally retired July 28, 2009) 27 — Carlton Fisk (formally retired September 4, 2000) 42 — Jackie Robinson (formally retired by Major League Baseball April 15, 1997) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Jet Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Nice gesture by a classy organization. Rice deserves it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arsis Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 They can retire the number of guys like Rice because they aren't running out of numbers like the Yankees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai Jet Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 They can retire the number of guys like Rice because they aren't running out of numbers like the Yankees. LOL I knew you ( Skankee fans) couldn't keep your mouth shut. Thank's for the chuckle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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