Who Is Number 44 In Baseball?

A look at some of the greats who have worn the number 44 in baseball history.

Introduction

Number 44 is a special number in baseball. A lot of great players have worn it, including some of the game’s biggest stars. But who is the best player to ever wear number 44?

There are a few contenders for the title. One is legendary slugger Hank Aaron, who wore the number during his storied career with the Milwaukee Brewers and Atlanta Braves. Aaron was a 14-time All-Star and a three-time National League MVP, and he holds the major league record for home runs with 755.

Another contender is four-time World Series champion Lou Gehrig, who wore number 44 during his 17 seasons with the New York Yankees. Gehrig was a two-time American League MVP and he led the Yankees to six pennants and seven World Series titles. He also holds the major league record for consecutive games played with 2,130.

And then there’s three-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson, who wore number 44 during his 22 seasons in the majors. Johnson was a 10-time All-Star and he won five ERA titles. He also struck out an incredible 4,875 batters during his career, which is second only to Nolan Ryan’s 5,714.

So who is the best player to ever wear number 44? That’s up for debate. But there’s no question that all three of these players are legends of the game.

The History of Number 44 in Baseball

Number 44 has been a lucky number for some of baseball’s most iconic players. From Hank Aaron to Reggie Jackson, many greats have donned the number 44. Here is a look at the history of this number in baseball.

Number 44 was first worn in Major League Baseball by Hall of Famer Hank Aaron. Aaron wore 44 during his 21-year career with the Milwaukee Braves and the Atlanta Braves. He is considered one of the greatest hitters in baseball history and is the all-time leader in home runs.

Another player who made great use of number 44 was outfielder Reggie Jackson. Jackson wore the number during his time with the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, and California Angels. He was a 14-time All-Star and was named World Series MVP three times.

Other notable players who have worn number 44 include first baseman Steve Garvey, relief pitcher Goose Gossage, outfielder Dale Murphy, third baseman Mike Schmidt, and pitcher Curt Schilling.

The Significance of Number 44

Number 44 is significant in baseball because it is the number worn by Jackie Robinson, the first African American to play in the Major Leagues. Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, and his number was retired by every Major League team in 1997.

Why Number 44 is Worn by So Few Players

Number 44 is not a popular number in baseball. In fact, as of 2019, only four players in Major League Baseball (MLB) wear the number 44:
– Cole Hamels of the Chicago Cubs
– Wade Davis of the Colorado Rockies
– Jesse Chavez of the Texas Rangers
– CC Sabathia of the New York Yankees

Why is this number so unpopular? There are a few theories:
– The number 44 is often thought of as being “unlucky.”
– Many believe that it is cursed because some great players who have worn the number have suffered career-ending injuries.
– others believe that it is simply because the number 4 is already a popular number among players (think Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Lou Gehrig, etc.), so 44 isn’t needed.

Whatever the reason, it doesn’t seem like the number 44 will be gaining any popularity anytime soon.

Conclusion

As of the 2019 Major League Baseball season, number 44 is not currently being worn by any player on an MLB roster. However, many greats have worn the number throughout baseball history, including Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, and Ryne Sandberg.