Is the Number 42 Retired in Baseball?

Yes, the Number 42 Is Retired League-Wide

Major League Baseball permanently retired the number 42 across all 30 teams in 1997 to honor Jackie Robinson, the player who broke the sport's color barrier in 1947. No new player can be issued the number, and only one current wearer was allowed to keep it.

Jackie Robinson's Legacy

Robinson's impact on baseball and American society is the reason for the retirement. His entry into the National League with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, ended decades of segregation in the sport. MLB chose to honor that legacy with a permanent, league-wide tribute rather than a team-specific one.

Mariano Rivera's Grandfather Clause

When the retirement was announced, players already wearing the number 42 were given the option to continue doing so for the remainder of their careers. Mariano Rivera, the legendary closer for the New York Yankees, was the last active player to take advantage of this clause. Upon his retirement in 2013, Rivera became the only player in MLB history whose number 42 cannot be worn by anyone else, because he was the last grandfathered wearer.

Jackie Robinson Day

Every April 15, MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day. On this date, every player, coach, and umpire in the league wears the number 42 on their uniform. The tradition began in 2004 and serves as an annual reminder of Robinson's courage and the ongoing fight for equality in the sport.

Why the Number Remains Sacred

The retirement of 42 is one of the most significant and unique tributes in North American professional sports. It ensures that Jackie Robinson's singular achievement is never diminished or commercialized. The number belongs to him alone, a permanent acknowledgment that his legacy is larger than any single team or era.