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After Chara, which Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots deserve to have numbers retired?
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- After Chara, which Bruins, Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots deserve to have numbers retired?
With Zdeno Chara becoming the latest Boston athlete from this golden era in New England sports history to have his number retired, it’s as good a time as any to examine who is still coming.
So far, from Boston’s 13 championships since 2000, Chara became the sixth player to have his number retired.
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Here’s a look at all four teams and who they’ve already put in the rafters and who might be on the way there from the present and the past:
Bruins
Whose numbers are already retired from this century:Chara is the first for the Bruins.
Former Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and his family watch as his number "33" is raised to the rafters before an NHL hockey game between the Boston Bruins and the Seattle Kraken, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026, in Boston. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)AP
Next:Patrice Bergeron, followed by Brad Marchand
Debate-worthy: David Krejci. He’s underrated, played his career in Bergeron’s shadow, and was a very good postseason player.
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Eventually:David Pastrnak is headed for some huge career numbers. As long as he doesn’t leave, he’ll likely eventually be up there with several former teammates.
Overlooked in the past: Gerry Cheevers, Wayne Cashman, Bill Cowley
Notes: Bergeron is an easy choice and Marchand won’t be far behind. After that, it could be a while before a new number goes up.
Red Sox
Whose numbers are already retired from this century:Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz
Boston Red Sox baseball great David Ortiz, right, laughs with Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, Friday, June 23, 2017, at Fenway Park in Boston as the team retired Ortiz's jersey No. 34 worn when he led the franchise to three World Series titles. It is the 11th number retired by the Red Sox. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)AP
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Next:There’s not an obvious next guy.
Debate-worthy: Dustin Pedroia, Tim Wakefield, Roger Clemens, Jason Varitek
Maybe?:If Dwight Evans or Clemens get into the Hall of Fame via an Eras Committee, they’d get very strong consideration.
Overlooked: Pumpsie Green
Notes: The Red Sox have inducted their obvious candidates and guys who were on that track — Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, Jon Lester, etc. — didn’t stay in Boston. Wakefield and Pedroia are interesting sentimental debates.
Celtics
Whose numbers are already retired from this century’s championships:Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett
Next:It might not be until Tatum or Brown retires.
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Debate-worthy: Ray Allen. Al Horford
Eventually:Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown
Overlooked: Nobody.
Notes: Allen wasn’t in Boston as long as Garnett and signing with the Heat felt like a betrayal. He’s mended some fences, but still feels like a long shot.
Horford wasn’t a superstar, but his signing was critical to getting the Celtics to championship contender status again. Plus, the Celtics like to retire numbers, so both are possible.
Patriots
Who’s numbers are already retired from this century’s championships:Tom Brady
Next:There are no definite players on the horizon.
The New England Patriots unveiled a 12-foot statue of Tom Brady outside Gillette Stadium.(Nick O'Malley/MassLive)
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Debate-worthy: Rob Gronkowski
Notes: The Patriots generally haven’t retire numbers other than Brady under Robert Kraft’s ownership. Obviously, it’s harder in the NFL with much larger rosters. But Gronk is the best tight end in history. He won three Super Bowls and was an All-Pro four times. He at least deserves consideration.
Outtakes from a busy week ...
Credit where credit is due
I like the potential of the Red Sox’ Ranger Suarez signing. Coming into the offseason, ideally, the Red Sox would have lengthened both their batting order and their rotation.
Instead, they added multiple starters and still have holes in their lineup. It’ll be interesting to see if there are more moves to follow.
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Real Jeopardy! Clue
Sports clues from actual editions of America’s favorite quiz show. As always, mind the date
CATEGORY: Global Sports — $600
Date: Jan. 13, 2026
Flo Jo won 3 gold medals at the 1988 Summer Olympics in this Asian city
— Answer below
The Top 5
The Ranger Suarez All-Stars — Top 5 Players whose names are also an MLB team
5— Brewer Hicklin
4— Ray Dandridge
3— Phil Rizzuto
2— Rocky Colavito
1— Red Ruffing
Honorable mention: Marlon Byrd.
Today in Boston Sports History
Jan. 16
2011 — Jets stun the Patriots 28-21 in the divisional round of the AFC playoffs.
Lightning round
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Is 33 Boston’s best leadership jersey number of all time? Chara, Larry Bird, Jason Varitek, Kevin Faulk all wore it.
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As the biggest Counting Crows fan you know, I enjoyed watching the “Have You Seen Me Lately” documentary on HBO Max. But it felt like a long magazine article with two pages missing. They skipped a lot of the middle.
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Prediction: John Harbaugh won’t coach a playoff game with the Giants.
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If Lynn Jones had asked Liam Coen, “Can you recognize what a great job you did this year even though you’re still smarting from a tough loss?” instead of phrasing it in the form of a statement, she’d have made the same point with no controversy.
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Kyle Tucker to the Dodgers? Really?
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The LIV is officially the USFL of golf.
Real Jeopardy! Question:
What is Seoul?
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Finally...
Happy National Nothing Day to those who celebrate
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