Numbers on the Jerseys

Apr 26, 2023

“You can't tell the players without a scorecard.” ~ Harry M. Stevens

I don’t know about you, but the first thing I purchase inside the ballpark, any ballpark, is the scorecard. I have kept score at every major and minor league game I’ve ever attended since I was about 7 years old, (which is when my grandfather taught me how to do it) except for one game when it was just too cold to hold the pencil.

I put the players name, position and uniform number in the appropriate boxes in the batting order and faithfully record each play, stats, subs and make notes of particular plays somewhere on the card. I enjoy the process and have a ready-made souvenir of each game.

Probably more on scorecards somewhere down the line. Today I’d like to talk about the numbers on the back of the jersey (and for some teams on the lower portion of the front or on the sleeve). As the quote says, ‘you can’t tell the players without a score card’ but without the jersey number, would you be able to recognize all the players?

Numbers weren’t always affixed to jerseys, or even used. It had been suggested as far back as 1894 by an unnamed individual in the St Louis Post-Dispatch, but nothing became of it. In 1906, the Chicago Cubs used a numbering system, not where the numbers appeared on the jersey, but it appeared on the score sheets next to their name. Then they would change the number rendering the old ones out of date, thus forcing the fan to buy a new another. Even then, MLB thought of ways to make more money. Several other teams started this practice as well.

In 1907 the Reading Red Roses of the Atlantic League wore numbers on the backs of their jersey. In 1909 there was a photo of a pitcher, Jose Mendez wearing the number 12 on his left sleeve while playing for the Cuban Stars which was a Negro League baseball team. On June 26, 1916, the Cleveland Indians wore numbers on their left sleeve. They discontinued it after a few weeks, tried again the following year and abandoned the idea. In 1923, the St Louis Cardinal did it, but drew criticism for it, and removed the numbers.

Again, the idea surfaced in 1929 when the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees planned to start the season with uniform numbers on the back of their jerseys. The Yankees were rained out, the Indians played that day and became the first major league team (again) to have them. Both teams continued through the season. The idea caught on and other teams added numbers in both the American and National Leagues on both their home and away jerseys. It became universal when the Philadelphia Athletics added them in 1937.

Originally the number corresponded to the players’ spot in the batting order, as an example Babe Ruth batted third for the Yankees, thus his number 3 and Lou Gehrig batted fourth, so he was assigned the number 4. So, 1-8 were assigned to those players that were daily in the lineup. Number 9 was mostly assigned to the backup catcher. Pitchers would wear 10 and above (usually no one was issued 13 because it was considered bad luck).

In the 1930s, several teams experimented with assigning certain numbers to the positions the player was to play. The Cincinnati Reds used this “system” the longest. Their scheme was pitchers wore numbers between 30 and 49; outfielders between 20 and 29; infielders between 10 and 19; catchers, along with coaches and the manager would wear a single digit, usually with the manager wearing the number 1. During the early 50s, they briefly changed the coaches and manager’s numbers to something in the 50s. The New York Giants used this scheme as well.

As the years went on, this scheme fell out of practice, but “traditionally” pitchers do not wear a single digit uniform number. Numbers 60 and above aren’t usually wore during the regular season but are given to players that aren’t considered a high percentage of making the major league roster, and usually the higher the number, the less likely they are considered for the major league club. But otherwise, numbers are up for grabs on a personal choice unless of course if the number has been retired by the team or is worn by an existing member of the team.

The number 49 is traditionally worn by “knuckleball” pitchers. This is due to such elite knucklers as Hoyt Wilhelm, Charlie Hough and Tim Wakefield having worn it. But as the pitch has fallen out of use once again, it’s just another number a pitcher, player or coach might take.

Historically, 0 and 00 along with a number leading with zero aren’t used, but there have been some over the years. Catcher Benito Santiago (he had an amazingly strong throwing are by the way) wore 09 with both the San Diego Padres and the Florida Marlins because the back strap of his chest protector cut through the single digit 9.

Recently players are using the higher digits either to distinguish themselves, or just to be unique. Examples are Jose Abreu wearing number 79, Aaron Judge wearing number 99 and Luis Robert Jr wearing number 88 all come to mind.

Some players are superstitious about their jersey number. Carlos May wore number 17 throughout his career, the back of his jersey had his name “MAY” and underneath, the number 17. He did this because he was born on May 17^th. Many players won’t wear the number 13, due to it being “back luck” while others seek it out. There have been situations when a player has been traded or signed and when joining the new team bought his old number from a player who was currently wearing it. In some cases, the existing team member has voluntarily given the number up, in other cases the new player has bought the number from the existing one. Ricky Henderson paid $25,000 to Turner Ward for the number 24 when he joined the Toronto Blue Jays. Mitch Williams gave John Kruk $10 and two cases of beer for the number 28 when he joined the Philadelphia Phillies. Prices vary as they say.

J.T. Snow wore the number 84 the season after his dad, Jack, a talented receiver for the Los Angeles Rams, passed away to honour him. And of course, I must mention Eddie Gaedel who made on pinch hit appearance for the Bill Veeck owned St. Louis Browns on August 19, 1951. He wore the number 1/8. He was only 3’7, he was walked on four straight pitches and lifted for a pinch runner once he ran to first base.

There were also two players that were called up when their respective teams were on the road, the “spare” jerseys didn’t have a number affixed, so both Chicago White pitcher Joe Horlen and Eric Davis of the Cincinnati Reds played their first major league game without a number.

The uniform number is now a fixture in all sports. Kids ask for their favourite player’s number when they play. We buy players’ jerseys to wear to games and for casual wear. It’s a way for us to identify with and support the team.

What number do I wear while playing for my 60 and over Wood Bat team, the Naperville Yankees? I wear number 9 in honour of my deceased uncle Marty. In my “long and fabled” career, I’ve worn 4, 13, 15, 16, 12, 2, 21, 5, 39 and 9, but without a doubt, I’ve played the most games wearing number 9. What number(s) have you worn and why? Let me know.

~ Coach Mike

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