Hawkins Has Enough
April 16, 2008, 1:36 am
LaTroy Hawkins has finally given up No. 21.
From Bryan Hoch:
Hawkins eagerly accepted No. 21 as a tribute to Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente but quickly learned that a pinstriped No. 21 has other meanings for Yankees fans. Unaware he was donning a number that had not been worn since O’Neill retired following the 2001 World Series, Hawkins was booed when introduced on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. Fans chanted “Paul O’Neill” during one of his appearances in the Bronx.
According to CBSSports.com, Hawkins made the decision after discussions with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and other Yankees veterans, who told Hawkins that the number is not worth the headache it’s causing.
“I figure if it’s important enough for Jeter and Mariano and some other veterans to ask me about it, it’s not worth it to keep wearing the number,” Hawkins told the Web site.
Hawkins will wear No. 22, last worn by Roger Clemens, when the Yankees take the field on Wednesday. He had said that he would be interested in wearing No. 42 on Tuesday as a tribute to Jackie Robinson, but declined to change his number for the game against the Rays. Hawkins, who is African-American, wore No. 42 last year for the Rockies, the lone player wearing that number for Colorado.
To tell you the truth, I think this entire thing is pretty dumb. Yankee fans should have embraced Hawkins for wearing the number since it allows them to think of O’Neill and the great things he did when he was with the team. Yes, it means a lot to a lot of people, but, to boo the guy until he submits and gives the number up is just wrong.
He was wearing that jersey, not to denigrate O’Neill, but to pay homage to Roberto Clemente. Well, at the end of the day, Hawkins conceded and will now wear No. 22, after Roger Clemens who is entrenched in steroid controversy. So now, whenever Hawkins steps on the mound, I’ll think of steroids and the legitimacy of one of our better pitchers. Fantastic.
The only “numbers” i am concerned about is the ones during game time. I am starting to think that this could have something to to with his production. Shame on us for this one boys.
The next guy to wear 21 should be a home grown Yankee, or at least a good everyday player, not a journeyman reliever. Paul became a fan favorite because of his attitude, Hawkins just didn’t measure up.
It looks like that will be the case, actually. I doubt anyone will ever wear that number ever again unless it’s a big time signing who can definitely produce (Mark Teixeira?), or if its, as you said, a home grown product.
measure up? nobody game him a chance. Its just a number. The guy could be an effective pitcher that could help us along the way. in this game pitching wins. And i dont see the point in giving the guy a hard time when he has so many other things to deal with.
yea, i honestly think it was uncalled for and unnecessary. i remember when kay asked o’neill about it while hawkins was on the mound and o’neill seemed to be pretty upset about the situation. he didn’t really bail hawkins out, and i didn’t expect him too, but you can tell it meant a lot to him too. it is what it is.