The Yankees' Number Twenty-Two
Hawkins, Clemens, and Reynolds Chose Double Two's
Derek Jeter and Mariano spoke with Hawkins and LaTroy exchanged number 21 for number 22, but that number has a more illustrious history than number 21.
There has been a recent flap about Yankees' relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins wearing number 21, which was Paul O'Neill's number. Hawkins wanted number 32, but that number, worn by Elston Howard, is retired, so in honor of Roberto Clemente, Hawkins took 21. Many Yankees' fans were upset and expressed their displeasure by booing Hawkins. Derek Jeter and Mariano spoke with Hawkins and LaTroy exchanged number 21 for number 22.
O'Neill Wore 21 and Was Clutch
Paul O'Neill played for the Yankees from 1993-2001 during which he appeared in six World Series, five with the Yankees and one with the Reds. O'Neill batted .261 in the World Series with 7 RBIs and a .370 slugging average, but numbers often mislead. O'Neill had a fierce desire to win, especially when he sensed that losing was unacceptable, which was most of the time. His best World Series performance was in 2000 against the Mets, when he hit .474 with a .789 slugging average. O'Neill batted at least .300 his first six Yankees' season, winning the batting crown in the strike-shortened season of 1994. Paul O'Neill was a winner who wore number 21, which will always beidentified a "Paul O'Neil's number,"but let's examine Hawkins' new number, 22.
Clemens Wasn't the Best Yankees' Pitcher to Wear 22
Roger Clemens was the last Yankee to wear 22. He was with the Yankees from 1999-2003 and again for part of 2007. Clemens may have been the greatest pitcher the Yankees ever had, but as a Yankee, he wasn't even close to the best. As a matter of fact, Clemens wasn't even the best Yankees' pitcher to wear number 22. No, it wasn't Mickey McDermott.
Clemens Has a Checkered World Series History
Roger Clemens was 83-42 (.664) with a 4.01 ERA as a Yankee, having his only 20 win season in 2001, when he went 20-3 with a 3.51 ERA. In the World Series, Roger has a checkered history. He started fateful Game 6 for the Red Sox against New York's other team in 1986, and rumors still persist that he might have left the game too soon. He also started Game 7 for the Yankees in 2001, which resulted in one of the most agonizing of all World Series defeats. In six World Series, one with Boston, four with the Yankees, and one with Houston, Clemens won 2, lost 4, and had a fine 2.37 ERA.
Reynolds Was in Six World Series and the Yankees Won All of Them
Now, which player who wore 22 was most effective as a Yankee? Well, Allie Reynolds came to the Yankees from the Indians in exchange for second baseman Joe Gordon. Reynolds pitched for the Yankees from 1947-1954, winning 131 and losing 60 (.686) with a 3.30 ERA, having his only 20 win season in 1952. when he went 20-8 and led the league with a 2.06 ERA. Reynolds pitched two no-hitters in 1951 and appeared in six World Series. The Yankees won them all, including the five consecutive championships from 19479-1953. In those six World Series, Allie Reynolds won 7, lost 2, saved 4 and had a 2.79 ERA.
Clemens Had a Greateer Over-All Career, But Not as a Yankee
Roger Clemens had a greater over-all career than Allie Reynolds, but as a Yankee, Allie Reynolds was better. Allie's best single season, 1952, was as good as Roger's 2001 season. In the World Series, Reynolds was remarkable, In 1949, he shut out Brooklyn and Don Newcombe, 1-0 in Game 1. In 1950, beat Philadelphia and Robin Roberts, 2-1 in Game 2. In the 1952 Series, Reynolds shut out Brooklyn in Game 4, saved Game 6, and won Game 7. It was one of the greatest World Series in history. LaTroy Hawkins has a lot to live up by choosing number 22.
