The Washington Nationals are a young franchise: they have existed since 2005, when they took the Montreal Expos’ place in MLB.
Naturally, they don’t have the same history as the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and some of the most traditional franchises in baseball.
As a result of their short history, they still haven’t handed any player a prestigious honor: they haven’t retired any numbers.
The Yankees came to prominence on Tuesday after announcing they would be retiring Paul O’Neill‘s number 21 in a ceremony at Yankee Stadium.
The MASN Nationals account tweeted: “The Nationals are the only team in baseball without a retired number of a player or manager who wore their uniform.”
All the other 29 franchises have retired at least one number, but the Nats may be reserving that honor for someone who is truly deserving of the honor.
The same Twitter account went on to ask an open question: “Which Nats could get that honor in the future?”
The Nationals are the only team in baseball without a retired number of a player or manager who wore their uniform.
Which Nats could get that honor in the future?https://t.co/U3cZGXYSwG
— Nationals on MASN (@masnNationals) February 23, 2022
Ryan Zimmerman Is A Lock To Have His Number 11 Retired
It’s a fascinating question: one has to think Max Scherzer is a prime candidate, even though he was traded last year.
Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, or Trea Turner may also be candidates, but perhaps not as strong.
Juan Soto, if he ends up playing for the Nationals for his entire career is a lock, and even if he doesn’t, he should see his number retired eventually.
However, considering the circumstances, Ryan Zimmerman should be the first National ever to have his number retired.
He recently retired, he won a World Series, and played his entire career with the Nationals, not to mention he was their first draft pick.
We will soon see his number 11 jersey retired by the Nationals, and he will be more than deserving.
NEXT: Ryan Zimmerman Passing His Torch To Juan Soto