“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.
This is fun, terrific and interesting trivia🤩 something I just thought always existed😳 Please explain #9 and why does this number mean so much to Uncle Marty🙏 My number would be 27‼️
Thanks for the support, Mary Kay. This was a fun post to write. Marty said his favourite player was Ted Williams and if he had ever made it, he'd have worn his number. Marty taught me more about baseball than anyone else, so as a tribute I wear number 9.
I think I wore 12 in high school (or maybe 9?). Not much thought in the selection; jersey size increased as the numbers got higher, so back then I needed a pretty low number.
Thirty three years later when I joined the Naperville Yankees, I picked 26 after Chicago Cub Billy Williams. I've been fortunate that number's been free with the two additional teams I'm playing on this season.
Thanks Paul. Yes, back in the day, the smaller jerseys normally were the lower numbers, hence my first number being, 4. I never knew you wore 26 because of "Sweet Swinging" Billy Williams.
Apr 28, 2023·edited Apr 28, 2023Liked by Mike Wittmann
Left-handed outfielder ... that's me. But I've fallen far short of emulating Billy's durability: 1117 consecutive games! Back when I was a kid I thought the hardest part of a major league consecutive game streak was playing well enough to keep your spot. It's been 47 years since my last complete baseball season, and that concluded a two season, 34 game consecutive streak.
Thanks Mike for an interesting read. $25K for a number? More money than sense I guess. BTW why do baseballl managers and coaches wear uniforms versus other sports?
Thanks Mike! I know I wouldn't pay that much for a number. The $10 and two cases of beer would be out of my range too.
The explanation I've always heard was that the "manager" back in the old days was more the "captain", so in essence, a player-manager. Since they were in the game, they had to wear the uniform. The "manager" was actually a front office person or "business manager" that took care of travel arrangements and such. After actual managers (retired players) came into vogue, I think they did it more out of tradition.
Cornelius McGillicuddy (Connie Mack) was a major league catcher. He owned and managed the Philadelphia Athletics and always managed on the field in a suit and straw hat. Another that comes to mind is Burt Shotton who managed the 1947 Dodgers (the year Jackie Robinson came up) because Leo Durocher was suspended for the year. Shotten had played and managed, but supposedly told his wife he would never wear the uniform again, so his way around it was wearing a suit. Although he normally wore the team jacket and baseball cap in the dugout.
Thank you for the interesting post about players' numbers! I never realized how they determined the numbers. I just assumed they picked a number.
You really do come up with some unusual postings! And, I didn't know your number was a tribute to Marty! Thank you for that, I'm sure he's honored you are playing for him.
Right🤷🏻♀️ Of all the things I lost, I miss my mind the most🤪
I can see why. Look in the corner, behind the door. Lol
I finally remembered why the #27 It's David's birthday 8-27😉
It took you this long to remember his birthday? Lol :-)
This is fun, terrific and interesting trivia🤩 something I just thought always existed😳 Please explain #9 and why does this number mean so much to Uncle Marty🙏 My number would be 27‼️
Thanks for the support, Mary Kay. This was a fun post to write. Marty said his favourite player was Ted Williams and if he had ever made it, he'd have worn his number. Marty taught me more about baseball than anyone else, so as a tribute I wear number 9.
Why 27, if you don't mind me asking?
I think I wore 12 in high school (or maybe 9?). Not much thought in the selection; jersey size increased as the numbers got higher, so back then I needed a pretty low number.
Thirty three years later when I joined the Naperville Yankees, I picked 26 after Chicago Cub Billy Williams. I've been fortunate that number's been free with the two additional teams I'm playing on this season.
Thanks Paul. Yes, back in the day, the smaller jerseys normally were the lower numbers, hence my first number being, 4. I never knew you wore 26 because of "Sweet Swinging" Billy Williams.
Left-handed outfielder ... that's me. But I've fallen far short of emulating Billy's durability: 1117 consecutive games! Back when I was a kid I thought the hardest part of a major league consecutive game streak was playing well enough to keep your spot. It's been 47 years since my last complete baseball season, and that concluded a two season, 34 game consecutive streak.
And you're still going strong Paul. I'm looking forward to playing with you again this season.
Thanks Mike for an interesting read. $25K for a number? More money than sense I guess. BTW why do baseballl managers and coaches wear uniforms versus other sports?
Thanks Mike! I know I wouldn't pay that much for a number. The $10 and two cases of beer would be out of my range too.
The explanation I've always heard was that the "manager" back in the old days was more the "captain", so in essence, a player-manager. Since they were in the game, they had to wear the uniform. The "manager" was actually a front office person or "business manager" that took care of travel arrangements and such. After actual managers (retired players) came into vogue, I think they did it more out of tradition.
Cornelius McGillicuddy (Connie Mack) was a major league catcher. He owned and managed the Philadelphia Athletics and always managed on the field in a suit and straw hat. Another that comes to mind is Burt Shotton who managed the 1947 Dodgers (the year Jackie Robinson came up) because Leo Durocher was suspended for the year. Shotten had played and managed, but supposedly told his wife he would never wear the uniform again, so his way around it was wearing a suit. Although he normally wore the team jacket and baseball cap in the dugout.
Hope that helps!
Thank you for the interesting post about players' numbers! I never realized how they determined the numbers. I just assumed they picked a number.
You really do come up with some unusual postings! And, I didn't know your number was a tribute to Marty! Thank you for that, I'm sure he's honored you are playing for him.
Keep up these great posts!
Glad you enjoyed it. It was one of those conversations Marty and I had from time to time.