Retiring #1
Richie Ashburn’s induction into the Philadelphia Baseball Hall of Fame took on special meaning, the retirement of his uniform jersey #1. The date was August 24, 1979.
We began the tradition of honoring great Alumni the year before, inducting Ashburn’s teammate Robin Roberts. When the Phillies sold Robbie to the Yankees (October 16, 1961) owner Bob Carpenter said no one would ever wear #36 again. Ashburn’s event was the Phillies first formal number retirement ceremony. #1 for #1.
Others wore that number after Ashburn was traded to the Cubs before the 1960 season, infielder Alvin Dark, infielder Joe Morgan (not the Hall of Fame second baseman) and shortstop Bobby Wine. Last was Jose Cardenal, 1978 until August 2, 1979, when we sold him to the Mets 22. When informed we were retiring his number, he bristled, “What are you going to do? Give me Cardenal’s jersey?”
I was fortunate to be among a group that planned such events. Chrissy Long (Director, Entertainment) was saddled with solving the logistics.
Being an All-Star centerfielder, I came up with the idea that Whitey should walk in from centerfield at the Vet. Two roadblocks popped up. How do we secretly get Ashburn behind the wall and can a panel of wall be removed and replaced by game time. Through Chrissy, Mike DiMuzio of our ballpark operations department and the city’s stadium ops staff both issues were solved.
The podium and chairs for dignitaries and Whitey’s family were set up at home plate. Following Harry Kalas’ stirring introduction, Whitey emerged through a huge display of balloons from the centerfield wall. Balloons? Yes, used to camouflage the missing wall panel.
Fans rose to their feet to welcome their beloved icon. I was behind home plate. Suddenly it dawned on me, ‘Gee, that’s a long walk.” I could tell by his gait he wasn’t a happy camper. That was even more evident when he finally reached second base and I could see his face.
Fortunately, everything went fine with the ceremony. Following his victory lap, another tradition we started the year before, he and I headed for the press elevator. We were the only two in it. “Baron whose brilliant idea was that, making me walk in from centerfield?” he asked with piercing eyes. “You’re looking at him,” I muttered. “Well, that’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done.”
Fortunately, the doors opened on the press box level. No more conversation.
Phun Phacts
Whitey wore #1 his entire career, Phillies (1948–60), Cubs (1960–61) and Mets (1962) . . . Outfielder Johnny Wyrostek (1946–47) was the previous Phillies player with that number . . . Phillies first wore uniform numbers in 1932. George (Kiddo) Davis was #1. He was a centerfielder. A tradition?
(Larry Shenk)
