Uniform number (Major League Baseball)

Uniform numbers are used to tell and identify different baseball players's and coach's. Over time, numbers can have a much more meaning to the player and fans. A number can be symbolic of a player's legacy, and has resulted in all kinds of superstition (or rumors). Uniforms numbers are put on the backs of baseball uniforms.

Retired numbers in Major League Baseball

Many teams retire numbers of important players who used to play for their team. Retiring a number means that nobody on that team can use that number anymore. Players' numbers are not retired while they are still playing baseball.

The number "42" was retired by all of Major League Baseball in 1997 because it was used by Jackie Robinson, who was the first black player in Major League Baseball. Players who were already wearing #42 were allowed to keep using the number, but nobody else could use it. As of 2010, New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera was the last player using #42.

Uniform Number (Major League Baseball) Media

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  Adrián Beltré wore uniform number 29 while playing for the Texas Rangers. His number was later retired by the team.

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  José Méndez of the Cuban Stars, seen with a uniform number on his left sleeve during a 1909 game in Chicago

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  Players on the Cleveland Indians wearing uniforms with numbers on their left sleeves in 1916. The Indians were the first team to introduce numbered uniforms in the major leagues.

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  Ian Kinsler (3) and Tyler Collins (18) sporting numbers on the front of their road jerseys while playing for the Detroit Tigers in 2015

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  Players' equipment and accessories often also include their uniform numbers, as seen on Ross Detwiler's glove.

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  Pitchers on the 2018 New York Mets wearing uniform numbers which are characteristically all greater than 30.

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  The 09 worn by catcher Benito Santiago

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  In 1939, Lou Gehrig's #4 (here displayed at Yankee Stadium) became the first number to be retired in the history of the MLB

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  Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers wearing a uniform with his distinctive #42 in 1954