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MLB History: Top Five Players to Wear Number 42

By Jennifer Rainwater

Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A tribute to Jackie Robinson is displayed on the video board during batting practice before a game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A tribute to Jackie Robinson is displayed on the video board during batting practice before a game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Number 42
Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Ron Kittle is a former member of the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles.

He wore the number 42 during his three separate stints with the White Sox and also with the Orioles.

Kittle took home Rookie of the Year honors with the White Sox in 1983 and was also a member of the American League’s all-star team that season.

In 1983 Kittle had the best year of his career. He hit 35 balls out of the yard that season and coupled it with 100 RBI.

In the 1983 White Sox loss in the American League Championship Series to the Orioles, Kittle went 2-7, hitting .286 with a walk and two strikeouts.

Kittle maintained his power and was able to hit 111 home runs for the White Sox from 1982-1986. He was traded to the Yankees that season and hit four more long balls.

Unfortunately for the left fielder, designated hitter and later first baseman, Kittle’s batting average continued to drop while his strikeout numbers increased.

He returned to Chicago to finish his ten-year career there with a career batting average of .239.

Kittle later became a well-known manager for the non-affiliated minor league Schaumburg Flyers of the Northern League. He retired from the job in 2001.

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