NOW YOU KNOW

New York Yankee retired uniform numbers:

1--Billy Martin

3--Babe Ruth

4--Lou Gehrig

5--Joe DiMaggio

7--Mickey Mantle

8--Yogi Berra, Bill Dickey

10--Phil Rizzuto

15--Thurman Munson

16--Whitey Ford

23--Don Mattingly

32--Elston Howard

37--Casey Stengel

44--Reggie Jackson

*

Note: The Yankees have retired every uniform number between 1 and 10 except for 2, 6, and 9.

Why have these numbers remained available? Mainly because the Yankees have never had any great players wear those numbers.

Players who have worn those numbers over the years include Tony Lazzeri, who was probably the best player to wear No. 6, Mark Koenig, Steve Sax, Wayne Tolleson, Rafael Santana, Gary Thomasson and a host of other journeymen players.

The Yankees were the first team to permanently wear numbers, and started this tradition in 1929.

The initial distribution on numbers on the Yankees was made according to the player’s position in the batting order.

Therefore, in 1929, leadoff hitter Earle Combs wore No. 1, Koenig No. 2, Ruth No. 3, Gehrig No. 4, Bob Meusel No. 5, Lazzeri No. 6, Leo Durocher No. 7, Johnny Grabowski No. 8 and Benny Bengough No. 9.

Source: www.yankees.com