Yankees to retire Joe Torre's No. 6
Former Yankees manager Joe Torre reacts during Old Timers' Day ceremonies at Yankee Stadium. Credit: AP, 2011
Monument Park is about to get more crowded.
The Yankees will retire former manager Joe Torre’s No. 6 and place plaques recognizing former players Tino Martinez, Goose Gossage and Paul O’Neill as well as Torre, the team announced Thursday.
The move is part of a “recognition series” that will feature Bernie Williams in 2015, though the Yankees didn’t announce how Williams would be recognized.
Martinez (June 21) and Gossage (June 22) will be honored during Old-Timers’ Day weekend. O’Neill, who is one of the team's broadcasters on YES, will be honored on Aug. 9. Torre’s ceremony is set for Aug. 23.
Torre’s No. 6 will be the 17th different number retired by the Yankees (No. 8 is retired for both Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey). The only number from 1-10 not retired by the Yankees following Torre’s ceremony will be No. 2, currently worn by Derek Jeter and certain to be retired when he ends his career after this season.
Torre, MLB’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2014, managed the Yankees from 1996-2007, winning four World Series titles. His parting with the team was somewhat acrimonious, and the publishing of a memoir, “The Yankee Years”, didn’t help thaw relations. His public relationship with his former team has been repaired in recent years, however.
Martinez played first base for the Yankees from 1996-2001 and again in 2005, hitting .276 with a .347 on-base percentage and 192 home runs.
O’Neill played right field for the Yankees from 1993-2001, hitting .303 with a .377 OBP and 185 home runs.
Martinez, O’Neill and Torre won the World Series with the Yankees in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Gossage played for the Yankees from 1978-83 and again in 1989, going 42-28 with a 2.14 ERA in 319 games with 151 saves. He won a World Series with the team in 1978.
There are currently 24 plaques in Monument Park.
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