Retire #21 http://www.retire21.org/ is a group wanting Roberto Clemente's number retired by every major league baseball team, an honor until now given only to #42, Jackie Robinson.  What Robinson meant to African-Americans, the logic goes, Clemente means to Latino players.  Honoring Robinson without honoring Clemente then becomes a slight to Latin-Americans in this country.

The Robinson family sees things differently.  They believe Robinson's achievements paved the way for all persons of color, including Latinos, and that retiring #21 takes away from the singular honor retiring #42 represented.

You wonder what Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente would think about this honor.  Both were very much aware of what their achievements represented within their communities, and spoke out forcefully against racism and for opportunity.  But there is no small irony that two men who fought so hard to be thought of first and foremost as baseball players, are remembered in death as something more than individuals.

So how do we acknowledge the two legacies? 

We start by understanding what history uniquely means to baseball.  Alone among the major sports, baseball is understood by its fans as a continuous chain of players.  Babe Ruth lives on in Barry Bonds, Ty Cobb in Ichiro, Christy Mathewson in Greg Maddux.  Players long to be part of that brotherhood of greatness, to put a mark on the game that will live beyond their years.  Jackie Robinson and Roberto Clemente achieved that.

The Dodger and the Pirate were men of character off the field as well as on.  The fire that burned in both illuminated their achievements between the white lines, and sustained them off the field.  Neither was content to leave undone away from the game what was begun on it.  Robinson was an underpublicized leader and symbol for the Civil Rights movement.  Clemente, a man who seemed constantly in motion on the field, gave his last measure of energy to helping those less fortunate.

Taking #42 or #21 out of play is both honor and injustice.  Even while elevating them in memory, It breaks the chain of history and takes away from what seeing those numbers on the field means to fans.   It denies those who aspire to walk in their footsteps the chance to bring forth their glory once again with new deeds of skill and daring.

So why not a compromise?

Why not allow a select few players wear #42 and #21, if they are willing to take on that challenge.  Let teams request permission from the Commissioner's Office and the surviving relatives of Robinson and Clemente to issue that number to worthy players.  Set aside #42 for African-American players who want to wear the number and who embody the special skills of speed and daring Robinson displayed.  Let #21 go to Latino players who exhibit the all around skills and flair of Clemente.  And in doing so, keep them alive in the minds and hearts of baseball fans.

And go one step further.

Let Babe Ruth's #3 be part of this honor.  Today it is worn the likes of Cesar Izturis, Khalil Greene, and Reed Johnson.  Good players and probably good people.  But not worthy of wearing the number immortalized by Babe Ruth.  Ken Griffey can keep his number 3.  But he would be the only one among today's players with that jersey.

#21 has no meaning today, even to Latin players (with the exception of Carlos Delgado).  How can baseball say it cares about its history and allow Kip Wells, Sean Casey, or Jason Marquis to suitup as #21?  This should not be.

Thomas Caryle said "Heroism is the divine relation which, in all times, unites a great man to other men."  Let's rethink the question of these three numbers and unite again Robinson, Clemente, and Ruth to this generation of players and fans and those yet to come.