Why Are Baseball Players Wearing 44?

As baseball season gets underway, you may have noticed that some players re wearing the number 44 on their jerseys. Why is this?

The history of the number 44 in baseball

In baseball, the number 44 has been worn by some of the sport’s greatest players Babe Ruth wore 44 for the Yankees, Jackie Robinson wore it for the Dodgers, and Reggie Jackson wore it for the A’s. Hank Aaron also wore 44 when he broke Babe Ruth’s home run record. Today, many players wear 44 as a tribute to these legends.

The players who have worn 44 in baseball

Since Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, dozens of African American players have worn the number 44 in Major League Baseball The number has become synonymous with Robinson and his legacy, and many players have chosen to wear it as a sign of respect.

Some of the most notable players to wear 44 include Hank Aaron Bob Gibson ReggieJackson, Alex Rodriguez and Mo’ne Davis. Most recently, several players have chosen to wear 44 to honor the memory of Yankees legend Yogi Berra

While the number 44 is not retired across Major League Baseball several teams have chosen to honor Jackie Robinson by retiring the number. These teams include the Brooklyn Dodgers (now the Los Angeles Dodgers), Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants

The significance of the number 44 in baseball

The number 44 has a special significance in baseball. It was the number worn by Jackie Robinson the first African American to play in major league baseball In 1997, Major League Baseball retired the number 44 in honor of Jackie Robinson Players who wear this number do so to show their respect for Jackie Robinson and what he accomplished.

The connection between the number 44 and Jackie Robinson

Baseball players across the country re wearing the number 44 on their uniforms this season in honor of Jackie Robinson who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball

Robinson played his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, becoming the first African American to play in the Major Leagues He went on to have an illustrious career, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1947 and being named National League MVP in 1949. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.

The number 44 has become synonymous with Jackie Robinson and his legacy. It was the number he wore during his 10-year career with the Dodgers, and it has been retired by every Major League team in honor of his contributions to the game.

Many current and former MLB players have chosen to wear 44 as a tribute to Jackie Robinson including stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Albert Pujols Derek Jeter and Dusty Baker Wearing 44 is a way for these players to honor Robinson’s legacy and ensure that his story is never forgotten.

The number 44 as a symbol of unity in baseball

On April 15, Jackie Robinson Day, every Major League baseball player will be wearing the number 44 to honor the man who broke the color barrier in baseball. The number has come to symbolize unity and diversity in baseball, and is a reminder of the obstacles that have been overcome in the sport.

Robinson’s legacy goes beyond baseball. He was a civil rights leader and an inspiration to people of all races. His courage and determination changed not only baseball, but also America itself. The number 44 is a reminder of his legacy, and of the progress that has been made since he broke the color barrier.

The number 44 as a tribute to Hank Aaron

As a tribute to Hank Aaron who recently passed away, many baseball players are wearing the number 44 on their uniforms. Aaron was one of the greatest players in baseball history and his passing has left a deep impact on the sport. By wearing his number, players are paying homage to Aaron and his incredible career.

The number 44 as a way to honor Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente was a professional baseball player who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates He was born in Puerto Rico and was the first Latin American player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame Clemente died in a plane crash in 1972 while attempting to deliver supplies to victims of an earthquake in Nicaragua.

In his memory, major league baseball created the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given annually to a player who best exemplifies the Game of Baseball sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team. As a way to honor Roberto Clemente many baseball players wear the number 44 on their jerseys.

The number 44 as a way to remember Lou Gehrig

The number 44 is a way for baseball players to remember Lou Gehrig who wore the number during his playing career. Gehrig was a legendary player for the New York Yankees and he was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 1939. He died two years later, at the age of 37.

Since Gehrig’s death, the number 44 has been retired by the Yankees and many other Major League Baseball teams. In 2001, then-Texas Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers wore 44 as a tribute to Gehrig during his perfect game And in 2014, San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner donned the number to honor Gehrig during his team’s World Series run.

Bumgarner isn’t the only player who has worn 44 in recent years Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout and New York Mets reliever Jeurys Familia are among those who have also chosen to wear the number as a tribute to Gehrig.

The number 44 as a way to support cancer research

The number 44 has taken on a special meaning for many baseball players as a way to support Cancer Research The idea started with pitcher Jon Lester, who has been cancer-free for over five years after being diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma in 2006. Lester began wearing the number 44 in 2007 to honor his doctor, Dr. Alan Savitz, who was instrumental in his successful treatment.

Since then, many other players have followed suit, including players on Lester’s own team, the Boston Red Sox Outfielder Mookie Betts who wears 44 for the Red Sox has said that he wears the number “to pay respect to Jon Lester and everything he’s gone through.”

The trend has even spread to players on other teams, including pitcher GerritCole of the Houston Astros and third baseman Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs Bryant, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2015, said that he wears 44 “to remember what [Lester] went through and also to kind of keep that fight going.”

The wave of support for cancer research that has come from baseball players wearing 44 is truly inspiring. As Betts said, it is a way to “pay respect to Jon Lester and everything he’s gone through” while also helping to raise awareness for a cause that is important to so many people.

The number 44 as a way to show solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Major League Baseball players are using the number 44 this season as a way to show solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The number was chosen to honor Hank Aaron the Hall of Fame outfielder who wore it during his legendary career.

“I think it’s a great gesture,” Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge said of the decision to wear 44. ” obviously Hank Aaron is an icon, not just in baseball but in society. So for us to be able to wear his number and kind of carry on his legacy and what he means, not just to baseball but to society, it’s an honor.”

Players around the league have been showing their support for BLM with a variety of gestures, including wearing T-shirts bearing the slogan during batting practice and taking a knee during the National Anthem The decision to use 44 as a way to show solidarity is just one more example of how MLB players are using their platform to speak out against social injustice.