In 1929, the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians began using uniform numbers so fans and scorekeepers could tell who was who on the field. By 1937, each league demanded that all teams participate in the use of uniform numbers.
On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig became the first Major League Baseball player to have his number retired. Since then, over 120 other people have had their numbers retired.
On April 15, 1997, Jackie Robinson's #42 was retired by Major League Baseball, meaning that no future player on any major league team could wear it. Players wearing #42 at the time were allowed to continue wearing it. Those seven players were:
As of 2004 the only active player who is still using #42 is Mariano Rivera.
Alphabetical list
Note: Some players who played before the advent of uniform numbers have received retirement honors. They are: Ty Cobb, Tigers; Pete Alexander, Phillies; Chuck Klein, Phillies; Christy Mathewson, Giants; John McGraw, Giants; Rogers Hornsby, Cardinals.
Listing by number
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