By the point Derek Jeter retired after the 2014 season, he was in every single place.
The traditional, white, pinstriped No. 2 Yankees jersey he made well-known was the best-selling jersey in all of MLB.
One outstanding baseball merchandiser informed ESPN that Jeter’s shirt was
the truth is the best-selling MLB jersey of all time. The love of Jeter did not finish when he stopped enjoying, both, as he remained atop most lists of baseball’s most recognizable stars for years after he retired.
All of that hardly scratches the floor in the case of placing the affect
of No. 2 into context. Over the course of his unparalleled 20-year profession with the Yankees, Jeter collected
3,465 hits, 14 All-Star appearances, 5 World Collection titles and legions of followers of all ages. A few of these Captain
followers at the moment are excellent MLB gamers themselves.
Utilizing knowledge gathered from baseball-reference.com
and MLB.com, ESPN evaluated the WAR (wins above substitute) of each MLB participant from 2005 (midway by Jeter’s profession) to 2021 to find out which jersey numbers have been most efficient.
Under ESPN tells the tales of these No. 2s and of the gamers who at present put on the
solely different 4 numbers to rank within the prime 10 of common and whole WAR and be worn by a minimum of 100 gamers from 2005 to 2021.
Watch on ESPN and ESPN+:
“THE CAPTAIN,” EPISODE 1: Monday, July 18, 10 p.m. ET. Watch the
trailer
After a number of flirtations with uniform numbers, the apply of placing them on participant
jerseys started in earnest with the 1929 Yankees, and so they have been part of baseball ever since. At first,
gamers wore numbers that corresponded with their place within the batting order, which is why Babe Ruth wore
No. 3 and Lou Gehrig No. 4. The primary No. 2 was additionally a Yankees shortstop — Mark Koenig, a member of the
franchise’s famed 1927 membership.
Koenig had nothing to do with Jeter ending up as a No. 2-wearing Yankees’ shortstop
seven many years later, however Jeter has loads to do with the proliferation of high-level No. 2s within the recreation since
his arrival. A variety of the sport’s prime infielders have cited Jeter as an affect and a motive why they
put on the quantity they put on. There’s even a shortstop who debuted for Boston this season whose mother and father
honored Jeter in a extra profound approach. That rookie’s identify is Jeter Downs, and, sure, he is named after the Captain.
Xander Bogaerts
Crimson Sox shortstop
As a rookie in 2014, Bogaerts, who calls Jeter his “position mannequin,” inherited No. 2 from Jacoby Ellsbury. In 2015, Boston signed Bogaerts’ different boyhood hero, Hanley Ramirez, who had worn No. 2 with the Marlins to honor Jeter, his idol. With No. 2 bogarted, Ramirez cursed his luck and settled for No. 13.
Alex Bregman
Astros third baseman
When the Yankees retired Jeter’s quantity in 2017 between video games of a doubleheader with Houston, his greatest fan carrying Astros orange was Bregman … Jackie Bregman. Alex‘s grand slam minutes later along with his mother within the stands felt dictated by destiny, or as Alex stated: “Guess it was the No. 2 magic tonight.”
Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Marlins second baseman
Chisholm first met Jeter in 2019 throughout BP at Double-A Jacksonville and requested the then-CEO of the Marlins: “What do I’ve to do to be a Corridor of Famer?” As a rookie in 2021, he selected the boss’ No. 2, which additionally occurred to be the variety of his favourite NBA participant, Charlotte Hornets level guard LaMelo Ball.
Marcus Semien
Rangers second baseman
Debuting with the White Sox at Yankee Stadium in 2013, Semien wore No. 5 and made two assists in a 6-5 loss, each on grounders by Jeter, his baseball position mannequin. Final season, after donning No. 10 for seven years, Semien lastly made a play for No. 2, which was additionally his dad’s soccer jersey at Cal.
Jean Segura
Phillies second baseman
Segura has worn No. 2 since his fourth season, with Arizona, in 2016. 4 years earlier, as a rookie shortstop with the Angels, Segura did not join with Jeter by his quantity (20), however by his method. Former Yankees scout Dick Groch, who signed Jeter in 1992, stated Segura’s fast bat and fixed hustle reminded him of his best discover.
Nico Hoerner
Cubs shortstop
Hoerner‘s skill to discipline deep within the gap, elevate, pivot and rifle throughout his physique descends straight from the “Jeter Soar” throw. However even along with his “Hoerner Hop” and a 162-game common WAR (4.5) practically equivalent to Jeter’s (4.2), calling the gifted Hoerner the second coming of No. 2 continues to be fairly a leap.
Since Jeter broke into the majors in 1995, gamers carrying No. 2 have collected extra hits than another uniform quantity, adopted by No. 7. Jeter leads the best way, in fact — he is sixth on the profession hit checklist, in spite of everything — however 10 different gamers have a minimum of 1,000 hits carrying No. 2 since Jeter’s call-up. Following Jeter on that checklist are Randy Winn, Denard Span, Aaron Hill, Troy Tulowitzki and Bogaerts.
The factor is, Jeter did not even need No. 2 at first. His choice was No. 13, the quantity his father, Charles, wore in school. The quantity was on the time occupied by Jim Leyritz, so Jeter was assigned No. 2. It was surprisingly out there provided that many of the single-digit numbers had been retired for the likes of Ruth, Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. In response to Ian O’Connor, writer of “The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter,” it was then-Yankees supervisor Buck Showalter’s concept to present Jeter No. 2. The following spring, after Showalter had been fired, New York’s gear supervisor tried to present Jeter one other quantity. Jeter wasn’t having it.
The remaining, as they are saying, is historical past.
Baseball gamers are infamously superstitious, however given Jeter’s unique choice for sporting his father’s No. 13, he seems to be unconcerned about supernatural interference. Loads of others have tempted destiny with No. 13 and finished simply nice, particularly within the greenback column. Jeter’s most notable No. 13-wearing teammate in New York was Alex Rodriguez, who made a lot cash on and off the sphere that he’s now a co-owner of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves. Manny Machado, an early front-runner on this season’s NL MVP race, is one other well-compensated No. 13 blazing a path to Cooperstown-worthy statistics regardless of carrying the unluckiest of numbers on his again.
Manny Machado
Padres third baseman
Machado‘s favourite jersey, the No. 3 he wore in highschool, wasn’t out there when Baltimore known as him up in August 2012. Thanks, Ryan Flaherty. What about his childhood hero Chipper Jones’ No. 10? Taken by All-Star Adam Jones. So, the O’s new addition used easy addition, and added 3+10 to the roster.
Ronald Acuna Jr.
Braves outfielder
When Acuna first joined the Braves in late April 2018, the quantity he wore within the minors, 24, belonged to catcher Kurt Suzuki. The following season, Suzuki departed to Washington, however Acuna, the 2018 NL Rookie of the 12 months, determined to go away his outdated 24 on the farm and take a look at his luck with 13.
Max Muncy
Dodgers infielder
Muncy, who has performed a minimum of three positions in every of his six seasons, has stayed put with No. 13 since 2018. When Machado arrived in L.A. for the second half of 2019, Dodgers nearer Kenley Jansen provided Muncy a “good tip” to present Machado the quantity. Good is relative; Muncy declined.
Joey Gallo
Yankees outfielder
After Gallo was traded from Texas to New York final July, he did not count on to maintain No. 13 (unused within the Bronx since Alex Rodriguez’s 2016 retirement). However A-Rod had been very important of a possible Gallo deal whereas working as an ESPN analyst. And when Gallo arrived, that dormant quantity was already in his locker.
Ke’Bryan Hayes
Pirates third baseman
Baseball gives few certain issues, even once you’re the Pirates’ 2015 first-round choose, their No. 2 prospect and a legacy main leaguer. However Hayes had one lock as a rookie in 2020: He’d put on 13, his solely quantity within the minors and the one his dad, Charlie, wore most throughout his 14-year main league profession.
Salvador Perez
Royals catcher
Perez superstitiously wears ladies’s fragrance throughout video games but is cool with 13. In truth, his efficiency on Friday the thirteenth and Tuesday the thirteenth (historically unfortunate in his native Venezuela) exceeds his leads to all different video games. Over 11 profession “unfortunate” dates he is batting .365 with a .908 OPS, however .265/.759 on all different dates. Spooky.
Uniform No. 13 continues to be not precisely the variety of alternative amongst massive leaguers, nevertheless it’s grow to be step by step extra acceptable over the many years. In the course of the Thirties, when the carrying of numbers grew to become embedded as a part of the sport’s material, solely 0.4% of participant seasons have been accounted for by gamers carrying No. 13.
After a short rise within the Nineteen Forties, the determine dropped again to 0.4% within the Nineteen Fifties, maybe as a consequence of Bobby Thomson’s historic pennant-winning homer in 1951 off of No. 13-wearing Dodgers pitcher Ralph Branca. However the utilization climbed after that, rising every decade to the 2010s, when 1.5% of participant seasons went to bearers of No. 13.
Shortstop seems to be the place of alternative for individuals who wave a dismissive hand at superstition. The 4 all-time leaders in WAR amongst No. 13s all spent a minimum of one full season as a giant league shortstop: A-Rod, Machado, Omar Vizquel and Dave Concepcion.
Solely three gamers have posted a season of a minimum of 8 WAR whereas carrying No. 13. The primary was former Crimson Sox shortstop John Valentin, who put up 8.3 WAR in 1995, the season of Jeter’s debut. The opposite two have been posted by A-Rod (2005, 2007), who was named AL MVP in each seasons performed subsequent to Jeter. Rodriguez had six different seasons of a minimum of 8 WAR earlier than he joined the Yankees, however he wore No. 3 throughout these campaigns for Seattle and Texas. No. 3, in fact, is the area of Ruth within the Bronx.
Via the Fourth of July, the most well-liked uniform quantity within the main leagues this season was No. 28, with 25 gamers that includes it to date this marketing campaign. That was additionally the most well-liked quantity final season, when 32 gamers wore it, yet one more than the 31 gamers who wore No. 48. This yr includes a equally fierce battle, with No. 50 this yr’s main contender to twenty-eight’s recognition crown. Via July 4, 24 gamers had worn the quantity this season. With a few of this yr’s division races already turning into runaways, possibly that is the race we’ll find yourself watching over the second half of the season.
Nolan Arenado
Cardinals third baseman
Arenado stated his resolution to put on No. 28 stems again to his first massive league camp with the Rockies in 2013. Most prospects should put on larger numbers in camp, however Arenado thought getting 28 meant he’d be checked out like a veteran. All he has finished since is earn 5 Platinum Gloves and 4 Silver Slugger Awards.
Matt Olson
Braves first baseman
Olson wore No. 21 at Parkview Excessive in Lilburn, Georgia, to honor fellow alum and Gold Glover Jeff Francouer (who sported it for the Rangers and Royals). When he was known as as much as Oakland in 2017, catcher Stephen Vogt had the quantity. So Olson selected 28, which he now wears again in Atlanta — with Francouer broadcasting from the TV sales space.
Corey Kluber
Rays pitcher
Win or lose, two-time Cy Younger winner Kluber is thought for his stoicism on the mound. Rising by the ranks, he approached his quantity with related detachment: 44 in school, 32 and 34 in Excessive-A, 18 and 33 in Double-A, 4 and 44 in Triple-A, 34 as a rookie. However he has caught with 28 since incomes his first main league win in 2012. Go determine.
Javier Baez
Tigers shortstop
Baez is a brand-new 28. The 2-time All-Star started his massive league profession carrying No. 9, nodding to the Cubs selecting him ninth total in 2011. He wore 23 with the Mets final yr, as his quantity was owned by Brandon Nimmo, one other 2011 first-rounder. This season, Baez signed with the Tigers however Willi Castro saved No. 9.
J.D. Martinez
Crimson Sox designated hitter
Houston gave Martinez No. 14 however launched him in 2014 after three seasons. He switched to No. 28 in Detroit and went on to make 4 All-Star Video games and win a World Collection title. Did Houston understand its error? 4 months after releasing Martinez, the Astros went out and drafted one other 6-foot-3 outfielder named J.D. (Davis) — and gave him No. 28.
Josh Donaldson
Yankees third baseman
Over greater than a decade within the majors, 2015 MVP Donaldson has solely ever worn jerseys within the 20s; his favourite is clearly revealed by his Twitter deal with @BringerOfRain20. However Donaldson was compelled so as to add No. 28 when he joined the Yankees this season, as 20 was retired in 2015 in honor of Jorge Posada.
The resurgence of No. 28 wearers is a return to kind for the jersey. After being essentially the most worn quantity throughout each the Nineteen Nineties and 2000s (when it comes to whole participant seasons), it fell to No. 18 in the course of the 2010s.
No. 28 is likely to be in vogue now, however the mantle of “hottest quantity” is endlessly altering arms. In the course of the Thirties, it was No. 24 that raced out to the lead, although it was extra a query of amount than high quality. In the course of the Nineteen Forties, No. 17 took the lead, adopted by No. 15 within the Nineteen Fifties. Since then it has been No. 23 (Sixties) and No. 25 (Nineteen Seventies and ’80s) earlier than the reign of No. 28 started.
Its adorned checklist includes a a number of Cy Younger winner (Kluber) and loads of Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winners, like Arenado, Baez, Donaldson, Martinez and Olson. Jeter did not win any Cy Youngs, although there are most likely some Yankees followers who suppose he may have if given the prospect. However he did win 5 Gold Gloves and 5 Silver Sluggers.
Jeter was one member of a wave of homegrown stars who fashioned the inspiration of the championship Yankees groups of the late Nineteen Nineties and early 2000s. He was joined by Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, amongst others. Rivera and Jeter are two of solely 54 one-team Corridor of Famers in baseball historical past, having gone into the Corridor in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
As of late, a number of the AL’s prime younger gamers are additionally homegrown abilities, starring for the group that developed them. An uncommon variety of these standouts occur to put on No. 11, a determine that’s possible going to be featured on a number of the iconic jerseys of this period.
Jose Ramirez
Guardians third baseman
As a 10-year outdated in Bani, Dominican Republic, Ramirez watched from afar as hometown hero Miguel Tejada gained the 2012 AL MVP. 9 years later, carrying Tejada’s No. 10, Ramirez started his two-year tear by Cleveland’s farm system. When introduced as much as the bigs, he settled for the next-best jersey, No. 11. That is becoming — he is truly on observe to one-up Tejada.
Bo Bichette
Blue Jays shortstop
When Bichette joined the Blue Jays in 2019, he may have chosen numbers beforehand worn by two veterans he extremely revered, Jose Bautista (19) and Josh Donaldson (20). As an alternative, he picked No. 11, which his father, Dante Bichette, wore for only one season — his first — with the Angels in 1988.
Rafael Devers
Crimson Sox third baseman
The Dominican Republic was as soon as famend for elite shortstops, not third basemen. However with Devers, Ramirez and Machado on the very prime of the place, we may see the makings of a brand new pattern. And if prospects begin carrying Devers’ and Ramirez’s No. 11, we may have the makings of a brand new infographic.
Jorge Polanco
Twins second baseman
Polanco had an up-and-down begin in Minnesota. In 2014 at age 20, he was up for 5 video games, then despatched down. In 2015, he was up 4, and again down. However 69 video games in 2016 constituted his final break up schedule. Now 9 seasons in, all in No. 11, he is the longest-tenured Twin and a locked-in starter.
Brett Gardner
free agent outfielder
The veteran outfielder has been a mainstay within the Bronx since he was 24 years outdated. He entered free company after 2021, and although different groups have reportedly provided him contracts, Gardner has turned all of them down in hopes of ending his profession because the Yanks’ solely wire-to-wire No. 11.
There’s something to this notion of homegrown expertise, a minimum of when it comes to profitable on the highest stage. 9 of the previous 11 World Collection champs have featured a homegrown WAR chief. For the Yankees, it has been a digital necessity to function a homegrown participant because the cornerstone on a title group.
It did not begin out that approach, as the primary 4 Yankees championships featured Ruth as their WAR chief. That was the aftermath of baseball’s most well-known transaction — the one by which the Crimson Sox offered Ruth to their rivals in New York. Nonetheless, the Yankees have gained 23 titles since Ruth retired. All however two of these championship golf equipment have featured a homegrown Yankee atop its WAR leaderboard.
The exceptions have been Crimson Ruffing (1938 WAR chief, got here up with the Crimson Sox) and Graig Nettles (1977, performed for Minnesota and Cleveland earlier than shifting to the Yankees). Every of the 21 different post-Ruth champions featured a WAR chief who made his MLB debut in a Yankees uniform. 3 times it was Jeter filling that position (1998, 1999 and 2009).
All of this bodes effectively for this yr’s Yankees, who’re on a report tempo for wins. Their WAR chief is AL MVP candidate Aaron Decide, who was a first-round draft choose by New York in 2013.
As Jeter neared the top of his profession and in the end retired, a brand new technology of stars have been making their very own methods to the highest of the MLB pecking order. Whereas it won’t be a case of merely doubling up on Jeter’s No. 2, the double-deuce has risen in prominence maybe greater than another because the creation of Jeter. Whereas numbers within the single digits and youths have historically been the area of hitters, pitchers have dominated uniforms bearing numbers within the 30s and 40s. No. 22 has grow to be more and more a mixture of each. Ten of the 13 30-homer seasons from No. 22s have come since Jeter debuted, whereas 17 of the 18 200-strikeout seasons have come in the course of the Captain’s period.
Clayton Kershaw
Dodgers pitcher
Kershaw wore No. 54 for one begin earlier than pinch-hitting specialist Mark Sweeney rose to the second and gave the 20-year-old rookie No. 22. Kershaw had worn the quantity enjoying journey ball again house in Texas to honor his hero, “Rangers’ Will Clark,” he clarified for Dodgers followers. “Not Giants’ Will Clark.”
Andrew McCutchen
Brewers designated hitter
McCutchen at all times coveted Ken Griffey Jr.’s No. 24 however was given No. 22 as a rookie. After a smashing debut season by which he completed fourth in Rookie of the 12 months voting, he saved 22 for almost all of the following 14 seasons. When he landed with Milwaukee within the offseason, he lastly, at age 34, was capable of nab The Child’s 24.
Christian Yelich
Brewers outfielder
Yelich, who wore No. 21 with Miami, adopted 22 with Milwaukee and promptly grew to become the 2018 Nationwide League MVP. After Yelich broke a kneecap late in 2019, sympathetic teammate Ryan Braun wore Yelich’s 22 beneath his jersey and went on an MVP-like tear. Over the ultimate 13 video games Braun hit .325 with a .725 slugging share.
Jason Heyward
Cubs outfielder
Heyward has worn No. 22 each season to honor a highschool good friend who died of their senior yr. In 2015, Heyward’s one season with the Cardinals, supervisor Mike Matheny gladly surrendered No. 22 (his personal favourite) and was rewarded with Heyward batting .293 with 23 steals, each profession highs.
Sandy Alcantara
Marlins pitcher
Alcantara hasn’t simply made a reputation for himself in Miami, he has made a quantity. Within the Marlins’ 30-year historical past, 15 gamers have worn No. 22. The primary 14 mixed for a 4.9 WAR over 19 seasons; Alcantara, the present No. 22, has a 13.3 WAR with the Marlins halfway by his fifth season.
Juan Soto
Nationals outfielder
Soto has worn No. 22 for all 4 seasons within the bigs, however he is @juansoto_25 on social media. Does he not need followers? Is he unaware of his personal jersey? Did he join late in spite of everything the great @juansoto22s have been taken? Seems Soto joined too early, attaching his 2015 educational league quantity to his deal with.
Whereas a number of the adorned No. 22s of current classic have made their marks within the postseason, none of them have constructed something near the playoff resume that Jeter compiled over 16 postseasons with the Yankees. That is not an insult to them as a result of Jeter’s playoff report is among the extra staggering parts of his Corridor of Fame profession.
Jeter performed a complete further season simply in playoff video games, showing in a report 158 postseason contests, 33 greater than another participant. He is additionally the all-time playoff chief in hits, runs, whole bases and doubles. It wasn’t simply quantity. Jeter compiled a .817 OPS throughout his regular-season profession. At playoff time, in opposition to more durable competitors and when the stakes have been at their highest, that determine was .838.
The 22s cannot match Jeter in October but. Soto has a title beneath his belt already after hitting three homers for Washington within the 2019 Fall Traditional. Heyward will endlessly be remembered for the ring he gained with the 2016 Cubs. And Kershaw? Positive, his postseason profession has been stuffed with ups and downs, however he’s the all-time playoff chief in strikeouts.
For causes that go approach past baseball and merchandise gross sales, No. 42 is baseball’s most iconic quantity, the one retired jersey in each MLB ballpark. Jackie Robinson, the person chargeable for that, is fittingly additionally the all-time WAR chief for gamers carrying that quantity, adopted by Corridor of Famer Mariano Rivera. Now that the final of No. 42 bearers is retired, that is one leaderboard that’s by no means going to vary. That is accurately.
The heyday for No. 42 within the years after Robinson retired was the Nineteen Seventies, when gamers carrying the historic quantity accounted for 166 participant seasons. As was the conference of the day, it was principally a pitcher’s quantity throughout these years, however some non-pitchers wore it, like slugger Greg Luzinski and future supervisor Tony La Russa.
There was additionally a participant who wore No. 42 in six video games for Cleveland in 1974. That participant’s identify was Johnny Jeter. Sadly, there is no such thing as a relation.
No. 24 has seen three greats pile up greater than 100 profession WAR, together with Barry Bonds, fourth all time, fifth-place Willie Mays and Rickey Henderson (nineteenth). Nonetheless, whereas Mays spent practically his whole profession making No. 24 well-known, Bonds switched to No. 25 after he signed with the Giants, and Henderson switched numbers a number of occasions throughout his endless profession.
Nonetheless, No. 24 has featured an uncommon frequency of All-Star-level seasons, with 104 seasons of a minimum of 5 WAR being posted by gamers whereas carrying that quantity. That is second amongst all numbers, surpassed solely by No. 5.
A kind of All-Stars was Ken Griffey Jr., whose No. 24 is retired in any respect ranges of the Seattle Mariners group. On the fiftieth anniversary of Robinson’s main league debut, April 15, 1997, and once more on the identical day in 2007, Griffey honored Robinson by switching his 24 to 42. The gesture cast the trail for each participant to put on 42 on his again each April 15.
Produced by ESPN Artistic Studio: Michelle Bashaw, Matt Becker, Dominique DeMoe, Heather Donahue, Jarret Gabel, Alecia Hamm, Sean Hintz, Luke Knox, Rylee McIver and Beth Stojkov.
Written by Bradford Doolittle.
Illustrations by Brandon Loving. Extra visuals from AP Photographs, Getty Photographs, Imagn.