Matsui hit many home runs for the Bronx Bombers over his career. Yes, there were a few down years during the wrist injury, but hitting home runs was his job. During his Yankee career, the Yankees made it to the post season every year except 2008.
Godzilla finished his Yankee career like he started, kicking ass. In his first at bat on Opening day at Yankee Stadium in 2003, he hit a grand slam. Years later, in Game 6 verses the Phillies in 2009 and he finally got a championship with the Yankees by literally winning that game himself with 6 RBIs. (The 2009 World Series, Matsui hit .615 (8 for 13) with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs.)
At the end of Godzilla's career with the Yankees, he batted .292 and had 140 home runs after 7 years in the Bronx. Matsui was also a 2 time All Star in New York and received the 2009 World Series MVP award. Anyway, the crazy thing is the home runs. 140 and missed a lot of time with that wrist injury.
So, you're looking at that and saying it isn't enough, right? Well, look at this:
Number 21 was worn by "the Warrior". Paul O'Neill was a 4 time All Star with the Yankees and was part of 4 championships yes, bu,t at the end of Paul's career he batted .288. That's with the Yankees and the Reds. But in his Yankee career alone, these are his numbers: 185 home runs and batted a .303 average. That's 9 years on the Yanks.
No one wears #21. #55, in my eyes, needs to be in the same category.
It's weird to see Russell Martin wearing #55. Yes, it's his number since his days in Los Angeles, but on the Yankees, it's not. For me, it will always be Godzilla's. Think about it.
Please comment and let me know what you think and follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and join the group Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook, just type it in.
He was a very good player, no doubt, but lets save what you're suggesting for the truly immortal players. I'm sure if the Yanks signed a free agent who was used to wearing #21, they would let him have it. Either a number is retired or it is not. Maybe reusing #55 at this point is a bit premature but since Martin has always worn it, let him have it. It gives him a standard to maintain.
ReplyDeleteKarl back in 2007 and 08 hawkins wore 21 untill the fans threatened him to change it
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