Mets' and Yankees' retired numbers: Who should be on deck for honor after Carlos Beltran and CC Sabathia?
Clockwise, from left: Gary Carter, John Franco, Willie Randolph and Aaron Judge. Credit: Getty Images / Rick Stewart; Allsport / Jeff Gross; Getty Images / Jonathan Daniel; Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Yankees lead the world in retired numbers with CC Sabathia and his No. 52 on Friday joining the list. The Yankees now have retired 23 numbers for 24 individuals (Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey share No. 8).
The Mets in recent years have been clearing out a backlog of numbers fans would like to see retired. Carlos Beltran’s No. 15 went up to the rafters last weekend, giving the Mets 12 retired numbers.
That total includes Jackie Robinson’s 42, which has been retired throughout baseball since 1997. No. 42 was also retired by the Yankees in 2013 to honor Mariano Rivera.
The Yankees might want to take a break until Aaron Judge’s 99 is ready to join the list, especially since they regularly have to give out high numbers nowadays to key players such as George Lombard Jr. (96) and Spencer Jones (78).
But there are still candidates out there if the Yankees want to continue retiring numbers.
And the Mets have plenty of former players who could be given the honor in the coming seasons.
The Mets seem more likely to continue clearing out their backlog, so let’s start with them.
METS
• Mookie Wilson’s No. 1. Wilson is always around Citi Field as an ambassador for the Mets and Newsday can confirm he has never been seen without a smile on his face. Wilson spent the first 10 years of his career with the Mets from 1980-89 and of course was a big part of the 1986 World Series team.
Last Met to wear 1: MJ Melendez in 2026.
• Gary Carter’s No. 8. When the Mets gave rookie Nick Morabito 8 earlier this season, the fan backlash was so strong that they switched him to 55 after one game. Carter, who died in 2012, went into the Hall of Fame as a member of the Montreal Expos, but he is beloved in Flushing for his leading role with the 1986 World Series champions.
Last Met to wear 8: Nick Morabito in 2026
• John Franco’s No. 45. The club’s all-time saves leader with 276, Franco first wore No. 31 with the Mets but gave it up when the club acquired Mike Piazza in 1998. Franco switched to 45. Piazza’s 31 was retired by the club in 2016.
Last Met to wear 45: Christian Scott in 2026.
• Mets Hall of Famers. The Mets have multiple players who are in the team's Hall of Fame but have not had their numbers retired, including Carter, Franco, Wilson, Edgardo Alfonzo, Bud Harrelson, Rusty Staub, Ed Kranepool, Cleon Jones, Jerry Grote, Tug McGraw, Tommie Agee, Howard Johnson, Ron Darling, Jon Matlack and Al Leiter.
• Current players. Juan Soto (22) and Francisco Lindor (12) should qualify if they finish their careers with the Mets. It’s probably a little too early for Carson Benge (3) and A.J. Ewing (9). Pete Alonso’s 20 is up for grabs!
The Mets have retired the numbers for Piazza, Beltran, David Wright (5), Dwight Gooden (16), Keith Hernandez (17), Gil Hodges (14), Jerry Koosman (36), Willie Mays (24), Tom Seaver (41), Casey Stengel (37) and Darryl Strawberry (18).
YANKEES
Before Sabathia, the last former Yankees to have his number retired was Paul O’Neill (21) in 2022.
Sabathia joins Berra and Dickey, O’Neill, Rivera, Billy Martin (1), Derek Jeter (2), Babe Ruth (3), Lou Gehrig (4), Joe DiMaggio (5), Joe Torre (6), Mickey Mantle (7), Roger Maris (9), Phil Rizzuto (10), Thurman Munson (15), Whitey Ford (16), Jorge Posada (20), Don Mattingly (23), Elston Howard (32), Casey Stengel (37), Reggie Jackson (44), Andy Pettitte (46), Ron Guidry (49) and Bernie Williams (51).
While there might not seem to be too many others left, how about . . .
• Willie Randolph’s No. 30. Randolph was a standout second baseman for the late 1970s championship teams and a valued coach during the Torre/Jeter era. In 2015, the Yankees gave Randolph a plaque in Monument Park but did not retire his number.
Last Yankee to wear 30: Max Schuemann in 2026.
Other candidates:
• Tino Martinez’s No. 24. As with Randolph, Martinez has a plaque in Monument Park but has not had his number retired. He might be the last top player from the Torre/Jeter era who has not yet been so honored.
Last Yankee to wear 24: Jasson Dominguez in 2026.
Alex Rodriguez’s No. 13. Even A-Rod admits it’s a long shot.
Last Yankee to wear 13: Jazz Chisholm Jr. in 2026.
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
