Comments on: The Clemente family would like to semi-retire Roberto Clemente’s number

By: clydeserra

clydeserra — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:06:57 +0000

NO limit to flair on a uniform?

By: jlinatl

jlinatl — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:54:00 +0000

Isn’t having the Clemente Award already honoring the man?

By: Paul White

Paul White — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:38:40 +0000

I agree with you on the permanent retirement of 21 issue, but I don’t see a problem with the commemorative patch solution. In case you haven’t noticed, teams have worn patches to commemorate club anniversaries, passed-away players, passed-away broadcasters, passed-away owners, stadium birthdays, state anniversaries, upcoming all-star games, team captaincies, and a variety of other causes for years and years. Are you saying that a comparative handful of players wearing one little “21″ patch is the tipping point that makes the uniforms suddenly look like boy scout sashes? Seriously?

By: tolbuck

tolbuck — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:34:40 +0000

The Braves (Spahn) and the Indians (Lemon) have already retired #21. How do they incorporate this idea?

By: Richard In Big D

Richard In Big D — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:34:49 +0000

Did you not notice the backs of the jerseys worn by All Star players the week before the game? Uo by the MLB logo, just below the neckline. The era of the “merit badge sash” is coming, and nothing wrong with it, if done right. A little recognition goes a long way.

By: foreverchipper10

foreverchipper10 — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:28:29 +0000

He can get a “21″ patch which he does not currently have. There is no limit of one patch per uniform.

By: pjmitch

pjmitch — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:15:15 +0000

I can’t believe that anyone is seriously even considering this type of idea. Nothing against Clemente or his family, but his number has been retired by the Pirates. There is an award named after him. Let it go. Have someone earn the #21??? Do we think that is what he would want? Have award winners get a patch to wear?? The uniform is not a Boy Scout merit badge sash. What is next, MVP awards patches? Rookie of the Year stripes? Cy Young Medals? It seems to me that the Clemente Family is making a mockery of the memory of their Father.

Pete

By: jerseydevi1

jerseydevi1 — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:37:12 +0000

What if Varitek wins? He already has a Captain’s “C”

By: alexb64

alexb64 — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:05:51 +0000

I don’t like the idea of league’s retiring numbers across the board, the only one I did agree with was Jackie Robinson. What Clemente did & how he died was a heartbreaking & inspirational story, but it is not the same as Jackie’s story. It is the same of the NHL retiring 99 for every team, yeah I get that he’s the greatest hockey player ever but what do fans in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Anaheim etc have to honor Gretzky for? I think just the same way that I hope David Stern doesn’t universally retire #23 for Jordan. It’s a great tribute, but leave it up to the individual teams to decide what numbers they retire.

By: bcopus

bcopus — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:24:43 +0000

That would be pretty confusing once you start to retire those players’ jerseys. Clemente family gets their way by proxy.

By: Paul White

Paul White — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:12:03 +0000

How about Clemente Award winners earn the right to wear a 21 patch on their uniform, similar to a captain’s “C”? That way they don’t have to change their actual number, but 21 is given a special place on the uniform for those deemed worthy.