This might be one of the top iconic jersey numbers in all of sports. The journey to find the most substantial Major League Baseball players that wore the number 6 on their uniforms starts by looking at who the Baseball Hall of Fame has in their hallowed halls. Enshrined number ones of professional baseball are:
- Rogers Hornsby
- Al Simmons
- Joe Cronin
- Billy Hamilton
- Joe Medwick
- Stan Musial
- Chick Hafey
- Mickey Mantle
- Earl Averill
- Bob Lemon
- Al Kaline
- Chuck Klein
- Travis Jackson
- Brooks Robinson
- Ernie Lombardi
- Red Schoendienst
- Tony Lazzeri
- Monte Irvin
- Larry Doby
- Joe Gordon
- Whitey Herzog
- Tony La Russa
- Randy Johnson
- Jim Thome
Another telling clue to find the best is to see who has the MLB number 6 retired by their respective teams. This list of retired number 6s includes:
- Johnny Pesky Red Sox September 28, 2008
- Steve Garvey Padres April 16, 1988
- Stan Musial the legendary outfiled and first base player of the St Louis Cardinals had his uniform retired on September 29, 1963.
- Al Kaline the long time outfield player for the Detroit Tigers had his uniform digit honored starting August 17, 1980.
- Tony Oliva the right fielder and designated hitter had his jersey 6 hung high by the Minnesota Twins organization on July 14, 1991.
- Bobby Cox the long time skipper of the Atlanta Braves was honored with number retirement on August 12, 2011.
- Joe Torre the successful manager of the New York Yankees had his pin stripes put away on August 23, 2014.
Larry Doby Baseball HOF Slugger
Lawrence Eugene Doby, "Larry" to the world, etched his name in baseball history as both a fearless trailblazer and a talented slugger. Born in 1923, Doby first starred in the Negro Leagues, leading the Newark Eagles to a championship in 1946. In 1947, he became the second African-American player in the Major Leagues, following Jackie Robinson, when he debuted for the Cleveland Indians.He faced the brunt of racism and hostility, but Doby persevered, batting .270 with 14 home runs in his rookie season. The next year, he hit a team-high 27 home runs and helped the Indians capture the American League pennant. Doby went on to play 13 seasons in the Majors, primarily with Cleveland, showcasing his power with 253 career home runs and finishing with a solid .283 batting average.
Beyond his statistics, Doby's legacy resonates because of his courage and leadership. He paved the way for future generations of Black players, earning induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. After his playing days, Doby served as a scout and executive, further contributing to the game he loved. Larry Doby, the quiet giant, forever stands tall as a symbol of resilience and progress in baseball history.
