Many players have worn the New York Yankee uniform with pride and distinction. However, if you take a walk through Monument Park in Yankee Stadium you will come upon a series of plaques and monuments dedicated to those whose numbers have been retired. These retired numbers represent players who are 'immortals' and have been accorded this special honor for their exceptional achievements.
      Almost every position is represented. Outfielders: Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, Reggie Jackson and infielders: Lou Gherig, Don Mattingly, Phil Rizzuto, Billy Martin. There are catchers catchers: Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson and pitchers: Whitey Ford and Ron Guidry.
The baseball record book is loaded with their accomplishments.
      While they represent different eras in the sport, many played on some of the greatest Yankee teams of all time: Ruth & Gehrig on the 1927 team, DiMaggio on the 1939 team, Maris, Mantle, Berra & Ford on the 1961 team, and Munson & Jackson on the 1978 team.
      While they are current players and thus not retired, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez are considered to be first-ballot Hall of Famer's and their numbers, 2 and 13 respectively will certainly join those already honored.
      With their glorious history it isn't presumptuous to assume that the Yankees will continue to produce players who will be added to Monument Park. Whoever they may be, they will all have one thing in common: the Yankee pride and tradition of winning baseball which has gone on before them and that feeling of 'being special' that only wearing a Yankee uniform can bring.