30 MLB Stars Who Deserve to Have Their Numbers Retired

There is no higher honor a team can pay one of its former stars than retiring his number. It is the ultimate recognition of a player's supreme contributions to a franchise.

The first player to have his jersey retired was Yankee great Lou Gehrig, on July 4th, 1939. Other teams soon followed suit, and the movement spread to other sports besides baseball.

Since Gehrig, over 150 baseball players have had their jerseys retired. Jackie Robinson's No. 42 is retired by every MLB team, and many people have pushed for Roberto Clemente's No. 21 to be universally retired as well.

Now, we'll take a look at 30 players, some retired and some still active, who deserve to have their numbers retired by their respective teams.

Retired Players

The first section of this slideshow is devoted to players who are currently retired.

These players may have been overlooked by their respective teams in terms of retiring their numbers, or it simply hasn't been done yet.

These players span from relative old-timers to recently-retired players of the Steroid Era.

Kenny Lofton

Team: Cleveland Indians

Jersey: No. 7

Why it should be retired: Lofton was a fixture at the top of the lineup for the Indians in the 1990s. The speedster contributed with his bat, legs and glove to make the Indians one of the most potent teams of the decade.

Lofton's career numbers with the Indians were very good for only nine-plus years. He had 1,512 hits, a .300 batting average, and a team-record 452 steals while a member of the Tribe. He was a five-time All-Star and a four-time Gold Glover. Moreover, Lofton was the face of the Indians.

A case could also be made for Omar Vizquel, but Lofton's great contributions as the leadoff man make him a logical choice to have his number retired.

Norm Cash

Team: Detroit Tigers

Jersey: No. 25

Why it should be retired: Cash is one of the more under-appreciated players in baseball history. He was never an elite hitter, but he was a fun-loving fan favorite during his 15 years as a Detroit Tiger. He was well-known for being one of the more colorful players of his era.

He was also a fine player. Cash hit 377 career home runs, was a five-time All-Star selection, and was on the 1968 Tigers team that won the World Series. He will never be considered for the Hall of Fame and is never discussed as one of the all-time greats.

But for his character and being a classic Tiger, Norm Cash deserves to have his number retired.

Alan Trammell

Team: Detroit Tigers

Jersey: No. 3

Why it should be retired: Trammell was an incredible player for the Detroit Tigers, not only because of his production on the field, but for the fact that he remained a Tiger for his entire 20-year career. Trammell was a six-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner in Detroit.

He compiled 2,365 hits, a .285 batting average, and 236 steals. Many fans will remember that it was Trammell who took home the World Series MVP award when the Tigers won the Fall Classic in 1984. For Tigers fans, he is one of the more beloved players in recent memory.

It is strange to me that the Tigers have not retired his number yet. But Alan Trammell definitely deserves that honor.

John Smoltz

Team: Atlanta Braves

Jersey: No. 29

Why it should be retired: Smoltz pitched an incredible 20 seasons for the Braves, spanning from 1988 to 2008. He often played third-fiddle to the stellar pitching duo of Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, but any Braves fan knows how important Smoltz was.

He compiled 210 wins as a Brave, and struck out 3,011 batters. He was a seven-time All-Star and won the 1996 NL Cy Young. And when asked to be a closer from 2002 to 2004, Smoltz responded brilliantly, saving 55, 45 and 44 games in those years, respectively.

Always a class act and one of the foundations of the great Braves teams in the 1990s and early 2000s, Smoltz absolutely deserves to have his number retired.

Randy Johnson

Team: Arizona Diamondbacks

Jersey: No. 51

Why it should be retired: It may seem silly to retire the number of a man who played just six seasons for a team. But in Randy Johnson's six seasons as the ace of the Arizona Diamondbacks, he put together some of the most incredible seasons in recent memory.

He was an All-Star five of his six years, and won the Cy Young award an astonishing four straight years from 1999-2002. He was the centerpiece of the team's turnaround from 65 wins to 100 wins from 1998 to 1999. He was also named World Series MVP when the D-backs won the 2001 title.

So in his short time in Arizona, the Big Unit made a huge impact. That impact is big enough to warrant a retired number.

Mark Grace

Team: Chicago Cubs

Jersey: No. 17

Why it should be retired: In his 13 seasons in Chicago, Mark Grace was a true rock of consistency. The Cubs' longtime first baseman was is fifth in team history with 2,201 hits. And the hits weren't bunched together either.

He had only one season in Chicago with less than 140 hits, but never had more than 200 in a single season. You could always expect Mark Grace to contribute a great average and great defense. He only made three All-Star teams, but won four Gold Gloves for his play at first base.

For being a consistent contributor and a longtime Cubbie, Mark Grace deserves a retired number on the north side.

Barry Larkin

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Jersey: No. 11

Why it should be retired: Larkin was a fantastic shortstop for the Reds for a very long time. From 1986 to 2004, he represented the Reds as well as anyone. The former captain of the team compiled 2,340 career hits and a .295 batting average with the Reds.

He was a 12-time All Star, won three Gold Gloves, and was 1995 NL MVP. He was also a member of Cincinnati's 1990 World Series team. One of the most well-respected shortstops and players in recent memory, Larkin's number deserves to be retired by the Reds.

Dan Quisenberry

Team: Kansas City Royals

Jersey: No. 29

Why it should be retired: The Royals only have three numbers retired— George Brett, Dick Howser and Frank White. But a good case could be made for Dan Quisenberry, the great closer for the 1980s Royals teams.

"Quiz" was one of the most dominant closers of his time, saving 237 games during his time with the Royals. He was a three-time All-Star and won the Relief Man of the Year award five times. He was the closer on Kansas City's World Series team in 1985.

For that, and what he meant to the organization, Quiz deserves to have his number retired.

Fernando Valenzuela

Team: Los Angeles Dodgers

Jersey: No. 34

Why it should be retired: Valenzuela has had a lasting impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Even today, he provides analysis for the team's Spanish-language broadcast. But in his stint as the Dodgers' pitcher, he had a great run.

El Toro spent 11 years in Dodger blue. His rookie season in 1981 was legendary. It was a year in which Valenzuela won the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young and got a World Series ring. After that, he contributed a lot of innings and a lot of wins to the Dodgers. He had 141 wins, a 3.31 ERA and over 1,700 strikeouts. He also was a six-time All-Star.

Valenzuela's jersey deserves to hang at Dodger Stadium. He was a very influential player both on and off the field.

Pedro Martinez

Team: Boston Red Sox

Jersey: No. 45

Why it should be retired: Pedro Martinez only pitched seven seasons in Boston. But man, did he make them count. Any Red Sox fan will probably agree that Pedro was the best pitcher Boston has had since Roger Clemens.

In his relatively brief time in Boston, Pedro went 117-37 with a 2.52 ERA and 1,683 strikeouts. He won the Cy Young twice and made the AL All-Star team four times. He was atop the Red Sox rotation in 2004, when the team won its first World Series since 1918.

This may be debatable because of Martinez's short time in Boston, but he was a fan favorite, a true character and a hell of a pitcher while in Boston.

Garret Anderson

Team: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Jersey: No. 16

Why it should be retired: Anderson was a fan-favorite and a fixture in the middle of the lineup in Anaheim for the 15 seasons he played there. He never was an MVP candidate and never necessarily turned any heads, but he was a solid, consistent contributor.

For the Angels, he hit 272 home runs, collected 2,368 hits, and was a three-time All-Star. But more importantly, the fans loved him. He was a universally respected player to go along with being a quality player.

Maybe I am putting too much stock in his character, but Anderson's career with the Angels seems to warrant a retired number.

Ken Griffey, Jr.

Team: Seattle Mariners

Jersey: No. 24

Why it should be retired: The Seattle Mariners have never retired a player's number, so it was hard to put a Mariner great on here. But if there is anywhere for them to start, it is with Griffey.

Arguably the most exciting baseball player of all time, Ken Griffey, Jr. put up some dazzling numbers in his 13 years with the Mariners. He hit 417 of his 630 home runs with Seattle, but his most impressive seasons were in the Mariners uniform.

He was a 10-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glover, 1997 AL MVP and probably the greatest player ever to put on a Mariners uniform. If Seattle is to ever retire a number, they should start with Griffey.

Pete Rose

Team: Cincinnati Reds

Jersey: No. 14

Why it should be retired: The Reds have never retired Pete Rose's number because of his ban from baseball. Personally, I think that is ludicrous. Without Pete Rose, there was no Big Red Machine. Without Pete Rose, baseball's greatest years in the mid-1970s wouldn't quite have been so great.

I can understand Rose being banned from the Hall of Fame. But the Reds should absolutely retire his number. The role he played for that organization is too great to be ignored and shoved aside. He deserves to have his number formally retired by the Reds.

Sammy Sosa

Team: Chicago Cubs

Jersey: No. 21

Why it should be retired: Say what you want about Sosa. His issues with steroids are messy and something that makes him a very controversial player to have his number retired and get inducted into the Hall of Fame, both honors that he deserves.

But if anyone can forgive Sosa and honor him, it is the Cubs, the team for which he made so much magic. He was a seven-time All-Star, 1998 NL MVP and compiled 545 home runs and almost 2,000 hits for the Cubs. He put on some of the most dazzling shows of power ever exhibited.

Regardless of what you may think about Sosa, his impact on the Cubs, ethical or unethical, is undeniable. They should honor him by retiring his number.

Barry Bonds

Team: San Francisco Giants

Jersey: No. 25

Why it should be retired: There may never be a resounding answer from baseball fans regarding their feelings on Barry Bonds. Sure, he may have cheated, but his talent was always there, and it was undeniable. Was Barry Bonds the greatest hitter ever? Absolutely not. Was he an incredible player? Yes.

Bonds hit 586 of his record 762 home runs with the San Francisco Giants, and some of his greatest seasons were as a Giant. He made 12 All-Star teams and won five Gold Gloves and five MVP awards in San Francisco. Undeniably, he was one of the pivotal reasons the Giants went to the 2002 World Series.

But he will always be viewed with an asterisk by his name. Regardless, I believe Bonds deserves to be honored by the Giants and have his jersey retired.

Current Players

The second and final section of the slideshow was very entertaining to make. These are current players who fall under two categories.

The first is players who have already proved themselves worthy of having their jerseys retired. This includes guys such as Derek Jeter and Jim Thome.

The second consists of younger players who have had stellar beginnings to their careers. They look destined to have their numbers retired by their respective teams. However, this is not saying that if the player retired today, he would have that honor bestowed upon him. These are players like Jimmy Rollins and Carl Crawford.

Jason Varitek

Team: Boston Red Sox

Jersey: No. 33

Why it should be retired: Varitek is the third captain in Red Sox history, joining Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice. When he attained this honor in 2005, Varitek's place in Sox history was solidified. He is a classic hard-nosed, team-leading catcher.

He has never put up gaudy numbers, and has made an All-Star team only three times. But in Varitek's 15 seasons as Red Sox catcher, he has been consistent, a leader and a great handler of some of the greatest pitchers in baseball.

Although it appears Varitek's career may be approaching its twilight, Red Sox fans will always appreciate what he has done for the team.

Roy Halladay

Team: Toronto Blue Jays

Jersey: No. 32

Why it should be retired: Halladay pitched 12 seasons for the Blue Jays and was the face of the franchise for a good portion of them. Though the Jays never really contended during Halladay's stint with them, they could always rely on their ace.

With Toronto, Halladay compiled 148 career wins, was a six-time All-Star and won the AL Cy Young in 2003. He has always been an innings-eater, and had five seasons with five or more complete games for Toronto.

Unlike many of the other players on this list, Halladay was never a postseason hero for his team. But for his undeniable impact on the Blue Jays, he deserves to have his jersey retired.

Tim Lincecum

Team: San Francisco Giants

Jersey: No. 55

Why it should be retired: One of the youngest players to appear on this list, the 27-year-old Lincecum appears destined for greatness. In just his fifth season in the majors, Lincecum has already won two Cy Young awards.

He may not be Juan Marichal, but the way Lincecum has pitched, he has the makings of one of the greatest pitchers of this generation. He is a four-time All-Star already, and looks destined for many more selections. If Lincecum plays 15 more full seasons and averages 15 wins, he will end up with 293 wins. That said, he looks very likely to achieve 300 wins and possibly even 3,000 strikeouts.

You may not agree now, but at this rate, Lincecum might end up as a no-brainer to have his number retired.

Michael Young

Team: Texas Rangers

Jersey: No. 10

Why it should be retired: Only two numbers have been retired by the Rangers—Nolan Ryan and longtime manager Johnny Oates. It is time for a Rangers position player to have his number retired, and Michael Young fits that bill quite nicely.

The versatile Young has played 11 full seasons for Texas and has been a model of consistency. He has hit below .280 just twice and has hit 30+ doubles in nine straight seasons. He is a seven-time All-Star.

Although trade rumors have swirled about him, chances are that Michael Young will remain a Ranger a while longer. If that is true, he will only be adding to his case to have his number retired.

Paul Konerko

Team: Chicago White Sox

Jersey: No. 14

Why it should be retired: Konerko is one of three current MLB players who serve as captains of their respective teams, along with Derek Jeter and Jason Varitek. He has been the White Sox first baseman for 13 years now and, like many other players on this list, been a rock of consistency.

In his years on the south side, Konerko has hit 386 home runs, been a five-time All-Star, and has hit over 20 home runs in every season except for 2003. He also played a vital role on the 2005 World Series champions.

He has been the face of the franchise for a long time and, still going strong at 35, looks to continue to have that role for a while.

Jim Thome

Team: Cleveland Indians

Jersey: No. 25

Why it should be retired: I put up this video clip because it was just so neat to see Thome back in an Indians uniform, and even more awesome to see him hit his first home run in his return to Cleveland. What he did in his first stint, however, is why his number should be retired.

From 1991 to 2002, Thome hit 334 home runs as an Indian, including seven straight seasons with 30+. He was a three-time All-Star, but more importantly, was the heart and soul of the powerful Indians teams of the mid- and late 1990s.

Hopefully, he finishes his career in Cleveland. If that is the case, then his jersey should definitely be retired.

Todd Helton

Team: Colorado Rockies

Jersey: No. 17

Why it should be retired: It seems like Todd Helton has been the first baseman for the Colorado Rockies forever. Actually, he almost has. Helton has been in the majors since 1997, and has yet to relinquish his role as the Rockies' everyday first baseman.

In his time in Colorado, Helton has hit .323 with 347 home runs. He is the franchise leader in almost every major offensive category. He is a five-time All-Star and has won three Gold Gloves. He has always been considered one of the better pure hitters in baseball.

As the face of the Colorado Rockies, Todd Helton deserves to be the first player in team history to have his number retired.

Jimmy Rollins

Team: Philadelphia Phillies

Jersey: No.11

Why it should be retired: It is hard to quantify what Jimmy Rollins has meant to the Phillies. In the 12 years he has played in Philadelphia, he has been a solid contributor as one of the best all-around shortstops in baseball.

He has been a dynamic player and a dangerous hitter at the top of the lineup for the Phillies. He won the 2007 NL MVP and is a three-time All-Star selection. He has also won three Gold Gloves. But fans in Philadelphia respect Rollins about as much as any other Phillie.

For all the attention their pitching gets, it is easy to forget how much Jimmy Rollins has meant to the Phillies over the last decade. There are many more memories to be made, but even now, Rollins deserves to have his number retired.

Ryan Braun

Team: Milwaukee Brewers

Jersey: No. 8

Why it should be retired: With Prince Fielder's potential departure looming, Ryan Braun's role as the face of the franchise in Milwaukee could be amplified. The Brew Crew's star outfielder is putting up MVP numbers this year, and has been an incredibly solid player for each of his five seasons in Milwaukee.

At his current pace, 500 home runs and 3,000 hits look very attainable for Braun. But for now, he has already made four All-Star teams. The 27-year-old Braun does not have the benefit of being in a huge market, but anyone who knows baseball knows that Braun is one of the game's best players.

The day for Braun's jersey to be retired is still probably two decades away, but at this rate, it looks very likely to happen.

Ichiro

Team: Seattle Mariners

Jersey: No. 51

Why it should be retired: As mentioned earlier, the Mariners have never retired a jersey before. While Ken Griffey, Jr. is an obvious choice, so too is Ichiro. The Seattle right fielder has been influential in more ways than one to the Mariners and to baseball.

The first Japanese position player to play in the majors, Ichiro Suzuki has opened the door to an influx of Japanese players who have gone on to play pivotal roles in baseball. But Ichiro, the pioneer, has made a heck of a name for himself. Over his 11 seasons in the majors, he has racked up 2,402 hits and a .327 batting average.

The ten-time All-Star and 2001 MVP probably has more than a few years left, but regardless, he deserves to have his number retired for his contributions on and off the field.

Jorge Posada

Team: New York Yankees

Jersey: No. 20

Why it should be retired: Posada has been surrounded by controversy this season because of his inconsistent play and subsequent benching by manager Joe Girardi. But when this is put aside, Posada has been an incredible contributor to the Yankees.

Now in his 17th season as a Yankee, Posada has been one of the few constants on an ever-changing Yankees roster. He has been the catcher in the last four World Series championship teams in New York, handling pitching staffs containing everyone from Roger Clemens to C.C. Sabathia to Mariano Rivera. Offensively, he is one of the best catchers of all time, boasting 273 home runs, 1,658 hits and a .273 average.

The five-time All-Star deserves to have his jersey retired by baseball's most storied franchise. He's meant that much to them.

Carl Crawford

Team: Tampa Bay Rays

Jersey: No. 13

Why it should be retired: I was very on the fence about this choice. Carl Crawford's impact on the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays cannot be understated, and he was universally loved in his time in Tampa Bay. But his departure, to division rival Boston no less, cannot really be overlooked.

Regardless, Crawford has been the greatest player to wear a Rays uniform to date. He is the club's all-time leader in average, hits, doubles, triples, RBI and steals. He was a four-time All-Star and won the 2010 Gold Glove. It can be argued that Crawford was the player most responsible for making the Rays relevant.

No one really knows in what direction Crawford's career will go. But because he was the first Rays superstar and because of how much the fans loved him, he deserves to have his jersey retired.

Chipper Jones

Team: Atlanta Braves

Jersey: No. 10

Why it should be retired: Now in his 17th full season for the Braves, Chipper Jones has been a team leader, fan favorite and an excellent player for each and every one of those seasons. He has been a mainstay at third base for the Braves since 1995.

Over his career, he has compiled over 2,500 hits, 451 home runs and a .305 batting average. He is a seven-time All-Star, the 1999 NL MVP and proud bearer of a 1995 World Series ring. And with another solid season in the works this year, it is clear the 39-year-old Jones has something left in the tank.

Albert Pujols

Team: St. Louis Cardinals

Jersey: No. 5

Why it should be retired: This is contingent, of course, upon Pujols staying a Cardinal this offseason. If he does, it will mean that Pujols will be in St. Louis at least through his 17th or 18th season. By that point, he will be the Cardinals' all-time leader in almost every offensive category.

Already, Pujols' career resume is amazing. A .329 average, almost 450 home runs and 2,043 hits in just 11 seasons. He is a nine-time All-Star, three-time MVP, two-time Gold Glove winner and a one-time World Series champion.

When all is said and done, Pujols might be among the greatest players of all time. At the very least, the Cardinals should retire his number.

Derek Jeter

Team: New York Yankees

Jersey: No. 2

Why it should be retired: Love him or hate him, the Yankee captain is the most memorable player of this generation and one of the most consistent players ever to play.

In his career that is far from over, Jeter has amassed over 3,000 career hits and been named to 12 All-Star teams. Perhaps above all, he has five World Series rings to go with the 2000 World Series MVP award.

He is a true Yankee legend, and you can expect that not only will his jersey be retired, but he will eventually get a statue in Monument Park.