Cincinnati Reds: Should Barry Larkin's No. 11 Be Retired?

It's no secret that Barry Larkin still has a major influence amongst Cincinnati Reds fans and the organization.

Since Larkin retired, the Reds have gone through many different shortstops and are still searching for the guy to replace him (although Zack Cozart may possibly be that guy).

We are still waiting for that hometown guy we can get behind and support since other Cincy guys like Tony Campana and Kevin Youkilis are playing elsewhere.

But the big thing we are still looking for is a team leader like Barry Larkin was.  He also was an MVP, an All Star and looks to be on the verge of induction to the Hall of Fame.

With that being said, would it hurt anyone's feelings to hang his No. 11 Jersey underneath the media booth at Great American Ball Park?

I'm well aware that Larkin's number has yet to be issued to anyone since he retired in 2003. But I feel strongly that the number should go along with the immortals of the franchise. 

Larkin was born and raised in Cincinnati, played all 19 seasons in Cincinnati and was the shortstop of the team's last World Series championship in 1990.

The Reds' recent Sunday Night Baseball game showed how much the fans still love Larkin.  With chants such as "Barry" and "Hall of Famer," you see that he is and always will be a big part of the Cincinnati Reds.

So if you ask me, Larkin deserves to get his No. 11 hung up there with Big Ted, Sparky Anderson, Johnny Bench, Tony Perez and the man who was his biggest influence, Dave Concepcion.

What are your thoughts?