August 6, 1989: The Boston Red Sox retire the No. 8 jersey, formerly worn by Carl Yastrzemski.
Yastrzemski joined Bobby Doerr (1), Joe Cronin (4), Johnny Pesky (6), Ted Williams (9), Jim Rice (14) and Carlton Fisk (27) as the only players to have their numbers retired by the Red Sox.
Yastrzemski debuted for the Red Sox in 1961, and played with them for 23 seasons, until retiring in 1983.
During his remarkably long career, Yastrzemski made the All-Star Game 18 times, highlighted by 15 consecutive appearances from 1965-1979. He won seven Gold Glove Awards, and was the All-Star Game MVP in 1970.
In 1967, Yastrzemski put together the finest season of his career, recording 189 hits, 44 home runs, 121 RBIs, and a .326 batting average. He led the Red Sox to their first AL pennant in over two decades, and was subsequently voted AL MVP.
Additionally, he was the last player to win the triple crown until Miguel Cabrera achieved the illusive feat in 2012.
Yastrzemski holds numerous Red Sox franchise records, including the most games played, runs, hits, RBIs, singles, and doubles, to name a few.
He is also a member of the 3000-hit club, and was the first AL player in the club to also record more than 400 home runs.
Upon his retirement, Yastrzemski finished with 3,419 hits, 452 home runs, 1,844 RBIs, and a .285 batting average.
Yastrzemski was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.
