Davey Concepción, Cincinnati Reds 1970-1988

Legendary shortstop Davey Concepción, the sparkplug of Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine, said he was “honored and humbled” by the Reds’ retirement of “my lucky number 13.”

“I want to thank the greatest fans in the world – the people of Cincinnati,” Concepción said at a pre-game ceremony emceed by Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman at the Great American Ballpark. A fireworks display accompanied the unveiling of his retired uniform number. Concepción was greeted by a three-minute standing ovation from Reds fans.

On hand to honor Concepción were his Big Red Machine teammates Johnny Bench, Joe Morgan, Tony Perez, Ken Griffey, Sr., George Foster, Lee May, and former skipper Sparky Anderson. Concepción threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Bench.

At a press conference earlier, Hall of Famers Bench, Morgan, Perez, and Anderson renewed their call for Concepción’s selection to Cooperstown.

Morgan, Davey’s long-time double-play partner, joined Bench and Perez in calling Concepción the “finest shortstop I’ve ever seen.” “If you were choosing sides and had your pick of any shortstop from his era,” Morgan added, “Davey would hands-down be your choice.”

Anderson, the first manager to win World Series championships in both leagues, said he’d never seen a player work harder or get more out if his talent than Concepción.

ESPN commentator Morgan also noted, “We overshadowed Davey.  We’re all in the Hall – myself, Johnny, Sparky, and Tony... Davey should be there, too.” 

Concepción explained in an interview that he chose number 13 because his mother, the late Ernestina Concepción, was born in 1913. The Reds originally gave him number 57. Between the large number and his long last name, Concepción said it was impossible to read anything on the back of his uniform. Since then, number 13 has become a traditional number for such Venezuelan shortstops as Ozzie Guillen and Omar Vizquel who want to pay homage to their hero.

In a video tribute played during the ceremony, Vizquel called Concepción his “biggest inspiration,” adding “Davey, someday we’ll carry this number (13) all the way to the Hall of Fame.”

On his big night, Concepción said, “I was lucky to be on one of the greatest teams in history and to play in front the best baseball fans in the world.  Venezuela is my home but a big part of my heart remains in Cincinnati. . . To have my number retired alongside those of other Reds’ immortals is one of the great thrills of my life.”

Concepción thanked Bob Castellini, John Allen, and the other members of the Reds’ Hall of Fame Board of Directors for retiring his number.

A nine-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, Concepción helped lead the Reds to those back-to-back Series championships.  One of the best clutch hitters of his generation, Concepción batted .297 in post-season play. His ninth-inning, two-out hit and stolen base enabled the Reds to come from behind to win the second game of the 1975 Series against the Boston Red Sox.