The Yankees won the pennant in 1976 but were swept in the World Series by the Reds. A month later on November 29, they signed Jackson to a five-year contract totaling $2.96 million ($ in current dollar terms). The number 9 that he had worn in Oakland and Baltimore was already used by Yankees third baseman Graig Nettles; Jackson asked for number 42 in memory of Jackie Robinson, but that number was given to pitching coach Art Fowler before the start of the season. Noting that Hank Aaron, at the time the holder of the career record for the most home runs, had just retired, Jackson asked for and received number 44 as a tribute to Aaron. Jackson wore number 20 on the first day of 1977 spring training as a tribute to the also recently retired Frank Robinson, then he switched to number 44. Coincidentally, all three numbers Jackson had either asked for or briefly worn before 44 would later be retired by the Yankees (9 for Roger Maris, 20 for Jorge Posada, and 42 for Mariano Rivera), with 42 also retired by the team through MLB in honor of Robinson.
the yankees won the pennant in 1976 but were swept in the world series by the reds a month later on november 29 they signed jackson to a five-year contract totaling $296 million ($ in current dollar terms) the number 9 that he had worn in oakland and baltimore was already used by yankees third baseman graig nettles; jackson asked for number 42 in memory of jackie robinson but that number was given to pitching coach art fowler before the start of the season noting that hank aaron at the time the holder of the career record for the most home runs had just retired jackson asked for and received number 44 as a tribute to aaron jackson wore number 20 on the first day of 1977 spring training as a tribute to the also recently retired frank robinson then he switched to number 44 coincidentally all three numbers jackson had either asked for or briefly worn before 44 would later be retired by the yankees (9 for roger maris 20 for jorge posada and 42 for mariano rivera) with 42 also retired by the team through mlb in honor of robinson