Growing up playing baseball, uniform day was always one of the most important days. Something about seeing your coach drag out the large box and start shouting out numbers with the apprehension that your number would be the right size, and that no one else would want it, was an unmatched mix of excitement and anxiety.
Finally, towards the end of the box, because your number was always near the bottom, the coach would pull out your number, and at the moment, you knew you would have a great season. For me, it was always number 11.
I started playing baseball in the late 90s, and like many, my introduction to the game came in my backyard playing catch with my mom, dad and older brother. Being the younger brother, I would stand closer to my parents, giving the impression that I was playing second, while my brother was at short.
Summer nights were spent playing backyard baseball, eating dinner and watching the Yankees dominate. Being labeled a shortstop, my brother was quickly drawn to number 2, Derek Jeter, and for me, it was his double play partner, Chuck Knoblauch. I was short, fast, would copy his batting stance and learned how to bunt. I cheered loudly when Knoblauch hit his home run in Game 1 of the 1998 World Series, and was devastated when his yips forced him to the outfield, and even worse, Kansas City. But well before Chuck finally stepped away from the game, number 11 would always be my number.
What numbers do the Yankees wear?
My story isn’t different from most young athletes. Young ball players are usually drawn to numbers that represent their favorite players, their birthday or other personal reasons. When watching the Yankees, I have always wondered about the stories behind their numbers. My interest piqued with this tweet from Luke Voit:
I’m going to wear #59 to honor my brother! It was his college football number at West Point while he was the captain of the football team!
— Luke Voit (@LLVIII40) December 18, 2019
Looking at some of our other loved Yankees, Ottavino wears 0 to represent to “o’s” in his name. Judge wears 99 as it was the first number assinged to him, and as he said, “I don’t think you’d turn down a jersey from the Yankees.” Personally, I like to imagine that 99 was the only number in the big box that was in his size.
Meanwhile, A-Rod wore number 3 before the Yankees, and when he needed a new number, he chose 13 for his football idol Dan Marino. Todd Frazier, also wanting to represent his boyhood hero, wears 21 to honor Paul O’Neil while Dellin Betances settled on 68 because he is 6 feet and 8 inches tall.
Joe Girardi famously wore 28 to represent the strive towards winning anoter championship in the Bronx, while Boone wears 17 as a reminder to his first number with the Reds. In Japan, it is common for each team’s ace to wear 18; however, Tanaka wears 19, as 18 was taken by former teammate Hiroki Kuroda. Mariano wore 42 and Cano switched to 24 to continue the legacy of Jackie Robinson, while Ruth and Gehrig’s numbers reflected their spots in the lineup.
The most popular number
While you are likely to see most lower numbers sprinkled around baseball fields, the most popular number in recent memory is number 2. Buck Showalter, recognizing that Derek Jeter would be something special, convinced his bosses that he was worthy of the honor. During better days, you can drive past any ball field and easily find number 2. In fact, you can see Jeter’s influence during most Major League ballgames.
Notably, Troy Tulowitzki frequently spoke about his fondness of Jeter, but he isn’t the only member of the fan club. Red Sox number 2, Xander Bogaerts, mentioned that “growing up I always liked Derek Jeter” and is joined in his appreciation by Astros’ number 2, Alex Bregman. Last year, Baseball Reference listed 29 players who wore number 2. Almost everyone, including established veterans Jonathan Villar, Jean Segura and Andrelton Simmons to new arrivals Nico Hoerner and Mauricio Dubon, are infielders that were likely inspired by The Captain.
In all sports, your uniform number carries a certain amount of importance in helping to shape our lives. For me, I grew up wearing 11 and it will always be my important number.
While we wait for the season to start, I would love to hear the stories behind the question, what’s your number?
