Three ceremonies. Three numbers. Three players who'd spent the better part of two decades wearing pinstripes and collecting championship rings. During the 2015 season, the Yankees retired the jersey numbers of Bernie Williams (No. 51), Jorge Posada (No. 20), and Andy Pettitte (No. 46) -- pulling the curtain back on the dynasty era one farewell at a time. Combined, these three players represented 51 seasons in pinstripes, 13 World Series appearances, and 14 championship rings between them. Each ceremony hit differently, but they all said the same thing: it's really over.
Bernie Williams: No. 51
Bernie was the quiet one. The center fielder who'd played like a jazz musician -- smooth, effortless, artistic -- for 16 seasons in the Bronx (1991-2006). He was a four-time World Series champion, a seven-time All-Star, and the guy who patrolled center field during the dynasty's peak years. His .297 career average, 287 home runs, and Gold Glove defense made him one of the most well-rounded outfielders of his generation.
What set Bernie apart was his temperament. In a franchise built on intensity and swagger, Williams was the calm in the storm. He played classical guitar in the clubhouse. He let his bat and glove do the talking. And when the Yankees needed a clutch hit in October, Bernie delivered -- .275 in 121 postseason games, with 22 home runs and 80 RBI. (The man was practically better in October than he was in June. Which shouldn't be possible.)
His number retirement ceremony brought back waves of nostalgia for a franchise that was still adjusting to life without Jeter, Rivera, and the rest of the Core Four.
Jorge Posada: No. 20
Posada was the emotional heart of the Core Four -- fiery, competitive, the kind of catcher who'd argue with an umpire and his own pitcher in the same inning. Over 17 seasons (1995-2011), he caught more games for the Yankees than anyone except Bill Dickey and Yogi Berra. Five World Series rings. Five All-Star selections. The switch-hitting catcher with legitimate power who also happened to be one of the best pitch-framers of his era.
His numbers -- .273 career average, 275 home runs, 1,065 RBI -- don't fully capture what he meant to the franchise. Posada managed pitching staffs that included Rivera, Pettitte, and Roger Clemens. He handled the emotional dynamics of a championship-or-bust clubhouse. He was the bridge between the pitchers and the hitters, the guy who understood both sides.
(The Posada ceremony was particularly emotional because he'd retired after 2011 without the farewell tour that Rivera and Jeter had received. This was his chance, and the Bronx showed up for him.)
Andy Pettitte: No. 46
Pettitte was the most consistent winner the franchise had seen in decades. Over 15 seasons in pinstripes (split across two stints: 1995-2003 and 2012-2013), he went 219-127 with a 3.94 ERA. His 19 postseason wins remain a Major League record. He was the guy the franchise trusted with the ball when the season was on the line, and he delivered more often than any starter in postseason history.
His retirement ceremony honored a pitcher who never got the flashy recognition he deserved. Pettitte wasn't a strikeout artist or a no-hitter guy. He was a grinder -- a left-hander who located his cutter, changed speeds, and got ground balls at the moments that mattered most. Five World Series rings. The all-time postseason wins record. A career that spanned three decades of Yankees baseball.
| Bernie Williams | 1991-2006, .297 AVG, 287 HR, 4x WS Champ |
| Jorge Posada | 1995-2011, .273 AVG, 275 HR, 5x WS Champ |
| Andy Pettitte | 1995-2013, 219-127, 3.94 ERA, 5x WS Champ |
| Numbers Retired | #51 (Williams), #20 (Posada), #46 (Pettitte) |
| Franchise Total | 20 retired numbers for 22 players |
| Combined Postseason Games | 300+ |
What the Ceremonies Meant
The triple retirement wasn't just about honoring three great players. It was the franchise formally closing the book on the dynasty era. By the end of 2015, the numbers of every significant player from the 1996-2009 championship run had been retired or were on the path. The Yankees were acknowledging that the greatness they'd built wasn't coming back -- at least not with these players.
The ceremonies also served as counterpoint to the 2015 season itself, which was middling by Yankees standards. In a year where the team went 87-75 and lost the Wild Card Game in a shutout, the retirement ceremonies gave fans something to celebrate. They were permission to feel good about the franchise's history even as the present was uncertain.
Twenty retired numbers for 22 players is an almost absurd concentration of greatness. No other franchise in professional sports comes close. The 2015 ceremonies added three more names to Monument Park and three more reasons why Yankee Stadium isn't just a ballpark -- it's a museum that happens to host baseball games.
Bernie Williams' Number Retired
The Yankees retire No. 51 in honor of center fielder Bernie Williams, who played 16 seasons in the Bronx (1991-2006) and won four World Series championships.
Jorge Posada's Number Retired
No. 20 goes to Monument Park for catcher Jorge Posada, who spent 17 seasons (1995-2011) with the Yankees and won five World Series titles as part of the Core Four.
Andy Pettitte's Number Retired
No. 46 is retired for pitcher Andy Pettitte, whose 219 wins in pinstripes and MLB-record 19 postseason victories define his place in franchise history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which jersey numbers did the Yankees retire in 2015?
The Yankees retired three numbers in 2015: No. 51 for center fielder Bernie Williams, No. 20 for catcher Jorge Posada, and No. 46 for pitcher Andy Pettitte. All three were key members of the late-1990s and 2000s championship teams.
How many retired numbers do the Yankees have?
After the 2015 ceremonies, the Yankees had 20 retired numbers honoring 22 different players and managers -- the most of any franchise in professional sports. The list spans from Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig through the modern dynasty era.
What were Bernie Williams' career statistics with the Yankees?
Williams played 16 seasons in the Bronx (1991-2006), batting .297 with 287 home runs. He was a four-time World Series champion, seven-time All-Star, and Gold Glove winner. His postseason numbers -- .275 average with 22 home runs in 121 games -- made him one of the best October performers in franchise history.