I've been watching baseball for 20 years, and I have never seen a pitcher with a single-digit jersey number. Never. Does anyone know of any particular reason why that is? Or if you do know of some in the past 20 years that have worn single-digits, who were they?Does anyone know why pitchers never wear single-digit jersey numbers?
The New York Yankees were the first team to use uniform numbers when in 1939 they numbered the players based upon their position in the batting order. The regular starting eight wore numbers 1 through 8, while the backup catcher wore number 9. Starting pitchers generally took numbers 10, 11, 12, and 14, (avoiding the superstitious #13, although some pitchers tried it, perhaps most notably the star-crossed pitcher Ralph Branca), while reserve pitchers and position players took the remaining numbers, 15 through 26 (as the roster usually is limited to 25 players.)
Today, in Major League Baseball, numbers are taken by players very much indiscriminately with regards to these positions. Only pitchers often have higher numbers than other players based on the old system, and certain numbers have been held by many high-profile players in a particular position.
The following pitchers wore low #s
Omar Olivares wore the number 00
Jeff Juden wore number 7
Wayne Gomes wore number 2
Atlee Hammaker wore # 7
Josh Towers wore #7 as well, just last yearDoes anyone know why pitchers never wear single-digit jersey numbers?
Pitchers tend to have higher uniform numbers in general. It is extremely rare for a pitcher to wear a single-digit number. Josh Towers, who is currently a free agent, wore #7 for the Toronto Blue Jays and Colorado Rockies. In 1997, Jeff Juden wore #7 when he was with the Cleveland Indians. Juden wore conventional two-digit numbers with all other teams he played for during his career. For a time during his career with the San Francisco Giants, Atlee Hammaker wore #7, although he wore #14 for most of his career, including his ill-fated appearance in the 1983 All-Star Game, when he gave up the first (and through 2007, only) grand slam in All-Star Game history to Fred Lynn. Wayne Gomes wore #2 when he pitched for the San Francisco Giants in 2001,after previously wearing #61 for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Hope this helps answer your question!!
You know, besides Jpsh Towers wearing 7 last year, it's kind of a tradition in baseball to have pitchers wear the higher numbers. I think it's one of those things back from the Yankees in the '30's when everybody was numbered according to their lineup position. That's why Ruth wore 3 and Gehrig wore 4.
You know that is a good question. I have never noticed that before. I think that is just a coincidince. Honestly I do not know
When David Wells first came to the Red Sox he wore #3 because everyone was always saying how he looked like Babe Ruth..the experiment did not last and he ended up trading numbers with Edgar Renteria (I believe it was #13)
No one knows, but i know josh towers wore 7 for toronto last year
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