Yankees' knack for retiring numbers prompts uniform shortage fear

The historic organization has already run out of single-digit numbers (except 0), thanks to a host of factors. Not only are the Yankees one of the oldest MLB franchises, but some of the best players in league history played for New York and wore numbers between one and 10.

From Derek Jeter (No. 2) to Babe Ruth (No. 3) to Lou Gehrig (No. 4) to Joe DiMaggio (No. 5) and Mickey Mantle (No. 7) -- and more -- the Bronx Bombers have had arguably the most loaded rosters in MLB history and many of them wore single-digit uniform numbers. That doesn't even include someone like iconic closer Mariano Rivera, who was the last player to wear No. 42 before it was retired league-wide in honor of Jackie Robinson.

In total, the Yankees have retired 21 numbers (including the No. 8 twice for Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey) in honor of "22 of their finest players and managers." In second place on MLB's most retired numbers list is the St. Louis Cardinals at 14.

While no jersey numbers above Bernie Williams' No. 51 have been retired, there are sure to be more coming down the road -- notably Aaron Judge's 99.

As Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports, the Yankees are also keeping three numbers "out of circulation" on purpose. Two of them are "in reverence for recently departed franchise stars" CC Sabathia (No. 52) and Masahiro Tanaka (No. 19).

The third one is No. 69.

Additionally, the organization had previously "shied away" from giving out Brett Gardner's No. 11, but rookie shortstop Anthony Volpe recently got permission from the former outfielder to wear the number. The Yankees also didn't issue Alex Rodriguez's No. 13 for five years, before allowing Joey Gallo to wear it during his tenure in the Bronx.

Kuty reported that while Opening Day is usually a celebration for teams and fans alike, it's an annual puzzle for Yankees director of clubhouse operations Lou Cucuzza, due to the uniform problem. 

Cucuzza told The Athletic that he addressed the idea of having the team's manager and coaches go numberless with MLB senior vice president of on-field operations Michael Hill and that "they'll look into it."

"It’s going to get to a point where, if the coaches are going to keep their numbers, we may get to triple digits one day," Cucuzza said.