Baseball Guru
08-12-2005, 07:48 PM
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050812&content_id=1167417&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Eckersley's number to be immortalized by A's
By CJ Bowles / MLB.com
OAKLAND -- After Saturday, no Athletics player will wear the number 43 on his back again. The A's will honor Dennis Eckersley that day by retiring the number he wore throughout his 24-year Hall of Fame career.
Pre-game ceremonies will begin at 12:30 p.m. PT with a car parade featuring Eckersley and some of his former teammates, including Rickey Henderson, Carney Lansford, Terry Steinbach, Dave Henderson, Scott Sanderson, Rick Honeycutt, Mike Moore, Gene Nelson and Jim Corsi.
The ceremony, emceed by A's announcer Ray Fosse, will include a video tribute, comments from current and former A's front-office members and the unveiling of Eckersley's No. 43 jersey depictured on the right field wall.
Fans who arrive early will also receive a piece of memorabilia. The first 10,000 through the gates will be given an Eckersley replica jersey, courtesy of Wells Fargo Bank.
Nine of Eckersley's seasons were spent in Oakland, where he made the transition from starter to closer with unparalleled success. From 1988-92, he averaged 44 saves per season while helping the A's to four American League West titles, three AL pennants and a World Series championship in 1992.
His best season was in 1992, when he recorded 51 saves in 54 opportunities and posted a miniscule 1.91 ERA. For his staggering numbers, Eckersley was honored with both the AL Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards.
When he retired in 1998, Eckersley had recorded 390 saves, the second-most at that time and currently fourth on the all-time list. He also accumulated a record of 197-171 and a 3.50 ERA during a career that began with Cleveland in 1975 and included stops with the Red Sox, Cubs and Cardinals.
Eckersley will be the fourth Athletics player to have his number retired, joining Jim "Catfish" Hunter (No. 27), Rollie Fingers (34) and Reggie Jackson (9). In addition, the A's also honor the memory of former owner and managing partner Walter A. Haas, Jr. and Jackie Robinson on their outfield wall.
Eckersley's number to be immortalized by A's
By CJ Bowles / MLB.com
OAKLAND -- After Saturday, no Athletics player will wear the number 43 on his back again. The A's will honor Dennis Eckersley that day by retiring the number he wore throughout his 24-year Hall of Fame career.
Pre-game ceremonies will begin at 12:30 p.m. PT with a car parade featuring Eckersley and some of his former teammates, including Rickey Henderson, Carney Lansford, Terry Steinbach, Dave Henderson, Scott Sanderson, Rick Honeycutt, Mike Moore, Gene Nelson and Jim Corsi.
The ceremony, emceed by A's announcer Ray Fosse, will include a video tribute, comments from current and former A's front-office members and the unveiling of Eckersley's No. 43 jersey depictured on the right field wall.
Fans who arrive early will also receive a piece of memorabilia. The first 10,000 through the gates will be given an Eckersley replica jersey, courtesy of Wells Fargo Bank.
Nine of Eckersley's seasons were spent in Oakland, where he made the transition from starter to closer with unparalleled success. From 1988-92, he averaged 44 saves per season while helping the A's to four American League West titles, three AL pennants and a World Series championship in 1992.
His best season was in 1992, when he recorded 51 saves in 54 opportunities and posted a miniscule 1.91 ERA. For his staggering numbers, Eckersley was honored with both the AL Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards.
When he retired in 1998, Eckersley had recorded 390 saves, the second-most at that time and currently fourth on the all-time list. He also accumulated a record of 197-171 and a 3.50 ERA during a career that began with Cleveland in 1975 and included stops with the Red Sox, Cubs and Cardinals.
Eckersley will be the fourth Athletics player to have his number retired, joining Jim "Catfish" Hunter (No. 27), Rollie Fingers (34) and Reggie Jackson (9). In addition, the A's also honor the memory of former owner and managing partner Walter A. Haas, Jr. and Jackie Robinson on their outfield wall.