WHY #55 SHOULD NOT BE WORN

Look, I'm no fan of retiring numbers every time a Yankee player has a decent time in pinstripes, especially if the numbers don't reflect greatness. But based on what the Yanks invested in Hideki Matsui, I think it's safe to say they got a pretty good return on their investment and there should be some kind of temporary "hold" put on #55. Sometimes the Yankees don't offer certain numbers to players because of the career they had with the team. They do this, until they decide if or when a players number should be retired. I say think about doing it with #55. Here's why:

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.

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