Retiring in simple terms is one taking a step back from active duty for a good job done or after some time. So is it in baseball; quite similar you can say. In sports, retiring a number of an athlete is an honor a team bestows upon a player, usually, after the player has left the team, retires from the sport, or dies.

Once a number is retired, no future player from the team may wear that number on their uniform, unless the player so-honored permits it, however, in many cases the number cannot be used at all.

How many numbers have the Cleveland Guardians retired?

The Cleveland Guardians have retired 10 numbers and they are 3, 5, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 42, 455

Jerseys Numbers  –                                      Year Retired

  • Earl Averill, OF: No. 3  –                           1975
  • Lou Boudreau, SS: No. 5-                        1970
  • Larry Doby, OF: No. 14 –                          1994
  • Mel Harder, P: No. 18  –                           1990
  • Bob Feller, P: No. 19    –                           1957
  • Frank Robinson, OF/MGR: No. 20-          2017
  • Bob Lemon, P: No. 21  –                          1998
  • Jim Thome, 1B: No. 25   –                        2018
  • Jackie Robinson No. 42 –                        1997
  • The Fans NO. 455 –                                  2001

Jackie Robinson never played for the Guardians but he was the first person of color to be seen playing the sport on the field of play with whites in 1947. He overcame numerous obstacles off the field.  He also helped lead the Brooklyn Dodgers to six pennants and one World Series Championship. In recognition of his legacy, his number has been retired “in perpetuity”, never to be worn again in the Major Leagues.

The number 455 was retired in honor of the Guardians fans after the team sold out 455 consecutive games between 1995 and 2001.

There is a movie to his honor titled 42.