February 20, 2015
The 2015 New York Yankees are not American League East favorites, but fans are eagerly anticipating the start of the season. Earlier this week, the Yankees announced that Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams, and Jorge Posada will have their numbers retired during the 2015 season. Willie Randolph will also receive a plaque in Monument Park.
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All three players are well deserving, home grown pieces that were the catalysts during the team’s most recent dynasty. All three players are considered by some as borderline Hall of Fame candidates and they were all perennial All-Stars. The decision to retire Pettitte’s number was met with some scrutiny as fans wondered whether the Yankees should retire the number of a player linked to performance enhancing drugs. Pettitte, who won 219 games in pinstripes, is revered by Yankees fans and is one of the best starting pitchers in team history. Williams, a career .297 hitter, amassed 2,366 hits in 2,067 career games. Williams won four Gold Gloves and appeared in five All-Star games. Posada, who is one of the best switch hitting catchers in baseball history, clubbed 275 home runs in 1,829 career games. Posada appeared in five All-Star games and won five Silver Slugger awards.
According to TicketIQ, the average ticket price for the jersey retirement ceremonies is $256. On May 24th, the Yankees will honor Bernie Williams. The average ticket price is $306.30 while the get-in ticket price is $59. On August 22nd, the Yankees will honor Jorge Posada. The average ticket price is $485.60 while the get-in ticket price is $62. On August 23rd, the Yankees will honor Andy Pettitte. The average ticket price is $422.60 while the get-in price is $64.
These jersey retirement ceremonies mark the ‘End of an Era’ in Yankee history. Derek Jeter will likely have his jersey retired during the 2016 season. Jeter’s retirement ceremony will likely mark the end of the late-90s, early-2000s Yankee dynasty.
Numbers 51, 20, and 46 will be the 18th, 19th, and 20th retired numbers in team history, respectively. Numbers 1 (Billy Martin), 3 (Babe Ruth), 4 (Lou Gehrig), 5 (Joe DiMaggio), 6 (Torre), 7 (Mickey Mantle), 8 (Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey), 9 (Roger Maris), 10 (Phil Rizzuto), 15 (Thurman Munson), 16 (Whitey Ford), 23 (Don Mattingly), 32 (Elston Howard), 37 (Casey Stengel), 42 (Mariano Rivera and Jackie Robinson), 44 (Reggie Jackson), 49 (Ron Guidry) are all retired.
