Diamonds For Women

[CgrGrl]

With David finally getting the Bell family #25 back, I got to wondering what goes into players picking their uniform numbers. Does anybody have any interesting stories about players and numbers?

[DianaPrince]

I know Scott Rolen chose 17 when he was with the Phillies because in high school he was 7, his brother was 10, and his best friend was 17. So when he wore 17 he played for all of them. When he went to STL he had to wear 27 because someone already had 17.

Pat Burrell chose 5 because of George Brett

[dodgerblue6]

J. T. Snow picked #6 to wear for the same reason I use #6 in my email, SNs, etc.--going back to his high school days, he's worn that number most of the time. Can you Red Sox fans tell me if #6 will be available for him or will he have to take another number? Being an NL fan I'm not too up on what numbers on the Sox are already being used or retired (other than the great #9 and a couple of others).
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

[Francine]

Many players choose a child's birthday or add up their children's birthdays sweet dads...........

[GriffinDoerr]

The #6 is kind of in a funny position right now with the Sox as it's worn by Johnny Pesky, who's still a coach despite closing in on the age of 90. In the past couple of years Pesky has worked with the players during infield practice and had been sitting on the bench during games (until the Orioles complained and forced him to vacate his spot. )

Whether Pesky will return again as a coach this year, I don't know. He lost his wife last spring and I know that took a lot out of him. I do know the Sox have discussed changing their rule about retiring numbers (they only retire numbers of HoF players) and might retire #6 for him. OTOH, if Snow asked, Pesky might just give him the number..... he certainly wouldn't be petty about it.

Guess that doesn't really answer the question, does it?

[CgrGrl]

What was the Orioles problem with Pesky sitting on the bench?

[DianaPrince]

[Phanatic's Girl]

I believe Randy Wolf wears 43 because it adds up to 7.

[Francine]

[dodgerblue6]

GD,

Thanks for the info.

[la_periodista]

From what I understand reliever Turk Wendell wears #13 because he is superstitious... I think he also wears a necklace made of shark teeth (or used to, anyway), and always hops over the baseline to avoid stepping on it.

[GriffinDoerr]

[PhilsPhan]

Jason Giambi is 25 for the same reason - the numbers add up to seven. I read it is for his idol, Mickey Mantle.

[dodgerblue6]

Well, the Snow issue is apparently settled.

If any of you were following the other thread in which his father's death was discussed, Jack Snow was buried in Long Beach this weekend. J.T. is apparently paying tribute in a special way, and said (according to the Times), "I've asked the Red Sox if I can wear #84, and I think they're going to let me." (Jack wore #84 as a player.) "My father meant everything to me."

High number! I'm sure it's not retired. No trouble with Pesky, and everyone's happy.
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

[crzblue]

[dodgerblue6]

It has been resolved: Mike Piazza will wear #33 for the Padres.
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

[DianaPrince]

[PhilsPhan]

[DianaPrince]

[dodgerblue6]

LOL: Grady Little is wearing #9 for the Dodgers, which of course he couldn't have with the Red Sox. According to the L.A. Times: "They wouldn't let me use it in Boston for some reason," Little joked. "Here, I wanted No. 2, but they wouldn't let me have that one, either."

The Times went on to remind readers that even though Tommy Lasorda's uniform number 2 has been retired by the Dodgers, he still wears it during spring training.
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

[dodgerblue6]

I'm posting this because it's been discussed a lot around these parts, and was even made mention of during today's Fox Game of the Week broadcast.

When Greg Maddux first came to the Dodgers nearly two weeks ago, he was told that he would have to wear a jersey number other than 31, which he has worn throughout his major league career, but which is currently being used by fellow pitcher Brad Penny. Penny has been reluctant to give up the number even though Maddux is clearly a future Hall of Famer in the twilight of his career.

A few days ago, the L.A. Times made note of it:

"Jersey Not His No. 1 Concern"
By Ben Bolch, Times Staff Writer
August 8, 2006


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greg Maddux said the only aspect of his uniform that will matter tonight when he makes his Dodger Stadium debut as a member of the home team is the name across the chest, not the number below it.

The fact that teammate Brad Penny has declined to relinquish No. 31 — he number that Maddux had worn throughout a 21-year career before joining the Dodgers on July 31 — has not rankled the newest member of the starting rotation.

"It's how you pitch, it's not what shirt you wear," said Maddux, who anticipated wearing the same No. 36 he wore Thursday while throwing six no-hit innings against Cincinnati. "We're all wearing blue."

But is it a sign of disrespect that Penny wouldn't offer the uniform number to a future Hall of Famer? "I don't take anything as a sign of disrespect," Maddux said. "What's important to me is how I perform on the field and my family. Other than that, I don't let a whole lot bother me."

Penny said last week that he would be willing to give Maddux his number as soon as he had acquired another satisfactory number from a teammate, but Penny said Monday night that he intended to keep No. 31. "Right now things are going good and there's no reason to change," said Penny, who said he was irked by comments made by Maddux's agent, Scott Boras, that Penny was ignoring tradition. "It's not a lack of respect for Maddux. I'm glad he's my teammate."

We already knew he was a classy guy but this just proves it even more.

Besides...the No. 36 that Maddux is wearing ain't too shabby.

While it did once belong to Jeff Weaver, preceding that, its greatest legacy is that it was worn by the only player in major league history to have won all three major awards--the CY, ROY and MVP. That's Don Newcombe. And I'm pretty sure Newk considers it an honor that Maddux is wearing it.

And in his one major league at-bat, another promising Dodger who has been the subject of much discussion on this board--Roy Gleason--also proudly wore #36.
_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

[dodgerblue6]

(No smart comments, Harpo!)

Okay, Crzblue has mentioned this before, and of course it's the first thing I thought of earlier this week. Before I proceed, let me make mention that you'll all note the "6" in my user name, email address, etc. It's not a coincidence. (LOL)

Anyway, a bit of numerology:

New Dodgers manager Joe Torre is the 6th person to wear #6 for the Dodgers since first baseman Steve Garvey last wore it in 1982.

Today's L.A. Times' "Text Messages from Press Row" column notes that over the last 25 years, #6 has only adorned the backs of...:

[stlred]

And your number six comes back into play for you. Good luck.

[dodgerblue6]

Vin said on tonight's broadcast that Manny will wear #28 for the Dodgers. He can't have his customary 24 because it's retired for Hall of Fame Manager Walter Alston.


_________________
"The Dodgers have always occupied an enormous place in the history of the game. If the Yankees are the most successful team in baseball history, the Dodgers are the most essential. Their legacy is unique."

-Baseball Hall of Fame

[dodgerblue6]

Maybe nobody noticed following my last post, but nothing happened as predicted in it. Honestly--making this one decision required so much texting and discussion?

I didn't know about Manny's childhood Dodgers jersey until now, though.

From the L.A. Times:

[crzblue]

Linda,
How do you feel about Blake getting #30? When he got it, my friend Alex at the stadium was not happy. He said that they should not have taken that number from Maury.

[dodgerblue6]

[stlred]

As a Cardinal fan I noticed the number 99 which was So's number. Not a well known name to everyone but special to us.

[GoofyMsFan]

[dodgerblue6]