Should Orioles retire Mike Mussina’s No. 35? | MAILBAG

Question: Now that Adley Rutschman has been traded, can we start a movement for the O’s to retire number 35. Mike Mussina was only the second-best pitcher in Orioles history. From: Dan in Hunt Valley 

Answer: Dan, you’re certainly able to start a movement to retire Mike Mussina’s No. 35, but I don’t think the Orioles are going to do it.

The only numbers retired are Earl Weaver (4), Brooks Robinson (5), Cal Ripken Jr. (8) Frank Robinson (20), Jim Palmer (22) and Eddie Murray (33).

All are members of the Hall of Fame and were part of at least one Orioles World Series championship team.

While Mussina is in the Hall of Fame, he chose to enter it without being identified with either the Orioles or Yankees, and he never played in, much less won, a World Series while with the Orioles.  

He was a terrific pitcher, but his prominence in baseball came from both his time with the Orioles and the Yankees. Even though Murray and Robinson played for several other teams, their greatest years were with the Orioles.

Question: To me it seems obvious that coming down the homestretch the O’s should play Blaze Alexander at second and Christian Encarnacion-Strand at third. The wildly inconsistent, semi-bust Jackson Holliday needs to sit a bunch. Any chance of that happening? From: Ken

Answer: Ken, one of Blaze Alexander’s best attributes is his ability to play multiple positions, and I think in the last four weeks of the season, you’re going to see him play in both the infield and outfield.

Holliday had an excellent July but didn’t have a strong August. I don’t think he’s a “semi-bust” at all. However, he played consistently because he needed to. Jeremiah Jackson’s bat slowed up, and there wasn’t really an option. Now that Alexander is here, Holliday probably won’t play every day, but he’ll play often, and he should.

A year from now, I don’t think you’ll be writing that he’s a disappointment. He’s still only 22.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.