Retiring whose number?

If you would’ve told me that this summer we would see a new number retired at Target Field, I would’ve assumed you would tell me that Tom Kelly was going to be honored. It makes sense. No Twin has dared to wear number 10 since Kelly, he managed the Twins to two world titles, and is still revered in the organization and amongst fans. But number 10 will not be retired (at least not this year) - 28 will. Bert Blyleven was a great pitcher, a great Twin, and has remained active in the life of the game as the color analyst. But I can’t help but ask myself if Blyleven is deserving of this Minnesota Twins honor.

His numbers certainly make him worthy of the Hall of Fame, but likely, one reason that kept him out of the Hall is the reason to question the retirement of his number in Minnesota. Bert never put down deep roots for an organization - only a Twin for 9 of his 22 seasons. What should the criteria be for a team to retire a number? Not many teams have a policy on this (the Twins don’t). The Red Sox do. Their policy is a player must have played with the team for at least 10 years and be a member of the Hall of Fame. Clearly Blyleven wouldn’t meet this. As with any other elite group of people, it’s the people who aren’t in it that define more about the group than it’s members. I’m worried that the Twins are opening a door to retiring fringe level players rather than being more exclusive.

I believe the Twins should adopt a policy they can lean on for this tricky issue of who is deserving of this honor. I don’t believe the Hall of Fame must be a requirement (that would eliminate great Twins like Kent Hrbek and Tony Oliva from eligibility), but I do think a player must certainly have played at least 50% of their career for the team. Perhaps another requirement ought to be voted in by the players whose numbers are retired. Or maybe the test of a World Series appearance. This honor is too important not to have some sort of standard.

It would be easier to explain to the next generation of Twins fans why Tom Kelly’s number would be retired more than Bert Blyleven. So, I hope that someday we will see Tom Kelly’s number 10 retired, but until then I hope we see the Twins adopt some policy to keep this honor reserved for the most deserving and Twins.