Thoughts on Retirement Criterion

The Chicago Cubs have decided that they will not shortly be retiring Corky's #21 jersey. Former Cardinal weenie Jason Marquis will wear it this year.

Apparently the Cubs will wait until Corky's possible undeserved election to the Hall of Fame before making a final decision. That, of course, is baloney, as Ron Santo isn't in the Hall and yet his #10 jersey has been retired. To be fair, Santo should be in the Hall, though. (Name 10 better 3Bmen of all time. You can't.)

In addition, Ferguson Jenkins and Gabby Hartnett are Cub Hall of Famers of the number-on-my-jersey era. Neither have their respective numbers retired.

My own take is that if you added considerable value to the fanbase, that's number retirement worthy. That Sosa happens to be a lying thug is merely the bed that was made by the front office for years of oblivion.