On Sunday, the Cleburne Railroaders will be retiring the number 14 of outfielder Zach Nehrir, who played four excellent seasons for the Railroaders in 2019 and again from 2021-23. Part of a large contingent of former Wichita Wingnuts who completely revitalized the on-field fortunes of the Railroaders, Nehrir was arguably the most impactful of the bunch.
In his four years in North Texas, Nehrir set franchise records for games (376), hits (461), runs (288), doubles (104), RBI (253), and stolen bases (105), while hitting .305 and launching 50 home runs. He was a midseason All-Star in 2019, ’22, and ’23 (there was no game in ’21) and a Postseason All-Star in each of his final two seasons, while also helping the Railroaders to what is still their only postseason series win in 2022.
Outside of Cleburne, he also hit .312 with 38 stolen bases in his first AA season in 2018 for Wichita, then in 2020 for Milwaukee made up for a difficult regular season by hitting .389 with two homers in the American Association Finals as he was named Series MVP in a five-game victory for the Milkmen over Sioux Falls.
While no professional baseball player ever dreams of hanging around an independent baseball team long enough to have their number retired, it’s still an accomplishment indicative of strong performance, the loyalty and desire to come back for multiple seasons, and a way to be remembered, even just a little bit, after hanging up the spikes.
Nehrir joins several other former AA stalwarts to have their numbers retired:
Cleburne Railroaders
#17 — Chase Simpson
A teammate of Nehrir’s for five seasons across three teams, Simpson joined the Railroaders in late 2018 and stayed through 2022 before retiring (with the exception of five games for Milwaukee in 2020). He holds the franchise’s career record for home runs with 57 and is second to Nehrir in several other career categories. His number was retired on June 11, 2023.
Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks
#19 — Jake Laber
A left-hander who pitched for the RedHawks in 2008 and again from 2010-14, Laber won 46 games, struck out 417 batters, and threw nearly 650 innings for Fargo-Moorhead, all franchise records and most coming after their move to the AA in 2011. He led the RedHawks to the final Northern League crown in 2010, as well as two AA North Division titles in 2012-13. He tragically passed away at 30 years old amidst a cancer battle in 2016 and his number was posthumously retired on June 19, 2021.
#33 — Doug Simunic
The first, and for nearly 22 years the only, manager in franchise history, Simunic was immensely successful during the club’s Northern League days, winning five championships, but he did go 351-325 over nearly seven years in the AA, winning two division titles. He finished with 1,202 wins for Fargo-Moorhead before being unceremoniously fired midseason in August, 2017. However, the sides made amends and his number was retired on June 9, 2023, just over a month before he was inducted into the American Association Hall of Fame.
The RedHawks also retired #7 for outfielder Joe Mathis (in 2009) and #35 for pitcher Jeff Bittiger (in 2004), both of who played exclusively during the club’s Northern League days. The number 8 is retired for Fargo native Roger Maris, who wore that number when he began his professional career with the Fargo-Moorhead Twins in the mid-50’s.
Gary SouthShore RailCats
#23 — Greg Tagert
Still the only skipper to lead the RailCats to the postseason, Tagert managed the RailCats from 2005-21, winning 835 games and three league championships. After winning two titles amidst five straight trips to the Northern League Finals, Tagert led Gary SouthShore to the AA crown in 2013, winning 507 games and making three playoff appearance after the club moved to the AA. His number was retired on May 13, 2023, oddly enough during a series where Tagert was managing the opposing Winnipeg Goldeyes.
The RailCats have also retired #23 for pitcher Willie Glen (in 2014) and #45 for former coach Joe Gates (in 2010), both of them exclusively for accomplishments in the Northern League.
Sioux Falls Canaries
#7 — Beau Torbert
The author of maybe the greatest offensive season in American Association history, Torbert played three incredible seasons in Sioux Falls from 2008-10, slashing .358/.406/.606 over 250 games with 55 home runs and 231 RBI. That was capped off by an absurd 2010 season where he hit .394 with 24 home runs and 100 RBI. He is one of just two players to be AA Player of the Year twice, taking home the trophy in 2008 and ’10. He also was instrumental in the Canaries’ only league title in 2008. After being signed, then released by the Atlanta Braves in the spring of 2011, he retired and his number was retired on July 8, 2013, the first in franchise history.
#14 — Trevor Lawhorn
Playing five years for the Birds in 2007 and again from 2009-12, Lawhorn was part of a big free agent class from first-year manager Steve Shirley in 2007 that led to some of the greatest years in Canaries history. While he missed the team’s lone title in 2008, he did play for two other winning teams, including a squad that won a club-record 63 games in 2010 and reached the AA Finals. Lawhorn his .272 with 43 homers and 209 RBI across 392 games in Sioux Falls and had his number retired on July 31, 2020.
#25 — Ben Moore
The owner of almost every pitching record in Canaries history, Moore joined the Birds just in time for their 2008 title, pitching from 2008-11 and against in ’13-14 for Sioux Falls, plus three years as a pitching coach after his retirement. Moore won 55 games, threw 797.1 innings and struck out 701 batters over his six years in Sioux Falls, all of which were league records at the time of his retirement and all of which remain club records. His number was retired on July 14, 2018 and he was inducted into the American Association Hall of Fame in 2024.
#28 — Pat Mahomes
Far and away the most famous name on the list, the 11-year MLB veteran nonetheless enjoyed three productive years in the twilight of his career for Sioux Falls from 2007-09. He posted double-digit wins twice, played in two All-Star Games, and won two games during the Canaries’ 2008 championship march, while also starting the title clincher. His number was retired on June 28, 2019; his much more famous son was not in attendance.
Winnipeg Goldeyes
#11 — Reggie Abercrombie
Retiring as the greatest player in American Association history, Abercrombie spent 2010-13 in Sioux Falls before playing his final six years in Winnipeg from 2014-19. A key cog in back-to-back Goldeyes championships in 2016-17, he retired as the league’s all-time lead in games (828), runs (563), hits (936), home runs (146), and RBI (606), while holding Winnipeg’s home run record with 92 of his 146 AA blasts coming in a Goldeyes uniform. He was the first player inducted into the American Association Hall of Fame in 2023, while the Goldeyes retired his number shortly afterwards on August 11, 2023.
#31 — Andrew Walker
Nicknamed “Ace”, Walker lived up to the moniker over his time in Manitoba, pitching his final five years in Winnipeg (2008-12), winning 47 games, throwing nearly 700 innings, and striking out 380 batters. His final two seasons came after the Goldeyes moved to the AA, leading the club to a North Division title in 2011, then in his career’s swan song, starting two both Game 1’s in Winnipeg’s perfect 6-0 march to their first AA crown in 2012. His number was retired on June 23, 2015.
The Goldeyes also retired #5 for outfielder Brian Duva (in 2001), #6 for infielder Max Poulin (in 2011), #21 for pitcher Donnie Smith (in 2009), and #22 for manager Hal Lanier (in 2018) based exclusively on their Northern League accomplishments.
Who’s Left Out?
Seven of the 12 American Association franchises have not retired a number, which not surprisingly includes the four newest members: Chicago, Milwaukee, Kane County, and Lake Country. However, charter members Lincoln and Sioux City have never retired a number (not even for their Northern League days), nor has longtime member Kansas City, who also has over 20 years of history.
That could very well change. Whenever Josh Allen retires, it seems likely his #7 will be retired in Kane County. Two-time Player of the Year Adam Brett Walker could possibly see his #22 hung up in Milwaukee. Lincoln has two slam-dunk candidates in Curt Smith (#10) and Brian Warner (#22) who could’ve easily been honored years ago, while Sioux City has the same in Michael Lang (#6) and Nate Samson (#5). Current manager Steve Montgomery (#55) could certainly be honored someday once he hangs it up. Joe Calfapietra (#44) is an obvious candidate in Kansas City after he calls it quits.
On other teams, Jabari Henry (#11 in Sioux Falls) and Max Murphy (#13 in Winnipeg) will almost certainly be the last ones to wear their respective numbers for their clubs. Mitch Lambson (#40 for Winnipeg) has an argument as well. It wouldn’t be surprisingly to see Jose Sermo’s number retired by…someone.
Meanwhile, Kane County manager George Tsamis could very well see his #22 retired…for a second time. His number was already retired by the St. Paul Saints in 2021.
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