Bronx, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – The New York Yankees announced on Monday that
Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada — three esteemed contributors
to the franchise’s most recent run of success — will have their numbers
retired and a plaque dedicated to them in Monument Park during the upcoming
season.
The trio, who helped define a run of four World Series victories in a five-
season span from 1996 through 2000, will be feted in front of the Yankee
Stadium faithful.
Pettitte, who wore No. 46, spent 15 of his 18 major league seasons in the
Bronx, winning five Fall Classics and posting a 219-127 record along with a
3.94 earned run average in 447 games (438 starts) with the Yankees.
The Louisiana-born left-hander also accumulated 18 postseason victories,
including two to pace the franchise’s last championship in 2009 against
Philadelphia.
Pettitte’s ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 23, one day after Posada will be
honored prior to the Yankees’ game against Cleveland.
No other player will don No. 51 after Williams, who was signed by New York as
a free agent in 1985 and made his Yankee debut in 1991. A native of Puerto
Rico, Williams spent all of his 2,076 MLB games wearing pinstripes. He exited
the majors in 2006 having collected 287 homers, 449 doubles, 1,366 runs scored
and 1,257 RBI with a .297 average.
Williams also racked up 22 homers, 29 doubles and 80 RBI with a .275 average
in 121 playoff contests. His ceremony will take place prior to the team’s May
24 game against Texas.
A five-time All Star, Posada donned his No. 20 from 1995 through 2011, playing
1,829 games primarily as a backstop. Like Pettitte, he was a five-time World
Series winner in New York, and hit .273 while collecting 275 homers, 379
doubles and knocking in 1,065 runs. Posada also posted a .992 career fielding
percentage and nearly 700 assists over more than 10,000 chances as a catcher.
Posada also added 11 home runs and scored 53 times in 125 playoff appearances.
In addition, the club revealed that Willie Randolph will receive his plaque in
on June 20. Randolph resided at second base for the Yanks from 1976-88,
appearing in three Fall Classics and winning twice. He also picked up four
World Series rings as a Yankees coach.
