Area 51

[NetShrine]

Jacob Cruz
Kris Wilson
Bernie Williams
Pedro Borbon Jr.
Randy Johnson
Chris Seelbach
Mark Wohlers
Craig Dingman
Matt Clement
Terry Adams
Jimmy Haynes
Scott Stewart
Trevor Hoffman

is it just me, or is it funky that so many big leaguers wear the number 51 these days............

........when do numbers in the 80's become common place?

[nyy26wc]

Bernie Williams wears 51 because he considers Puerto Rico to be the "51st state."

But, I have no explanation for any of the others.

[NetShrine]

Lee - thanks, never knew that about Bernie. Very interesting.

[ChrisCary]

NUmbers will continue to go up.
Millions of kids want to wear their favorite Major League players number on their little league team.
As long as the Major League numbers go up so will the numbers of the kids all over america, as they get through high school and college and each step to the next level becomes harder and more excusive players get more leeway in theior choices of numbers, most are apt to choose a number that they've grown used to, had good years in, whatever.
If their is ONE Major League superstar with number 51, their are a million kids all over america that had to fight, deal and lie with teamates to get it.
My father wore 7 when he was growing up.
I wore 15 then 23, now kids are wearing 51, 88, etc...

Also, athletes are bigger, they wear the bigger numbers on their backs better.


Just my theory

[mainsr]

All the lower numbers are getting retired. Between baseball, basketball, and hockey, I'll bet you that there are Hall of Famers and guys with retired numbers from 1 to 30.

No, I don't want to try to name them.

[NetShrine]

This Spring, in FLA, the Dodgers had a guy wearing "02" (some 30 yr. old AAA OF). Now, the Dodgers have retired "2" for LaSorda. Guess that was their way around running out of numbers.

Wonder how Tommy felt watching some busher running around with "basically" his number?

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by NetShrine
so many big leaguers wear the number 51 these days............

Add Irciho (sic?) to the list.

[BuzzBuzzard]

ditto on Rick White. He was activated earlier this week.

[Jen]

Originally posted by NetShrine


Add Irciho (sic?) to the list.

Ichiro. It was great fun to listen to the ESPN guys last night pronounce this in all kinds of ways...obviously, we Americans have a hang-up about emphasis-placement.

Ichy-ro
I-cheer-o
I-churo
E-cheero

Maybe this is a dumb question, but I want to know: what is the real significance of having both numbers and names on the backs of uniforms? Should it not be one or the other?

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Jen


Ichiro. It was great fun to listen to the ESPN guys last night pronounce this in all kinds of ways...obviously, we Americans have a hang-up about emphasis-placement.

Ichy-ro
I-cheer-o
I-churo
E-cheero

The Ugly Americans strike again.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Jen
Maybe this is a dumb question, but I want to know: what is the real significance of having both numbers and names on the backs of uniforms? Should it not be one or the other?
I would say it is stictly for the uneducated fans and broadcasters.

[Jen]

Well, that's what was sort of going through my head, I mean, numbers are best for keeping box scores, and the names just seem, well, I don't know. I'd feel strange if I had to go to work with my name across my back. I already know I'm nothing more than a number here, so...just don't understand why they're there.


:loud: on the Ugly American comment, but now I've got Ichy-ro stuck in my head...Oy

[NetShrine]

I know we talk too much about NY baseball, but..........

......one of my peeves: Yanks don't have names on their shirts (which is great, I like it). But, go into any sporting goods store here, and look at the "Yankee Jerseys" that they sell - -

pinstripes, interlocking NY, etc., player's number (great) - and, players name above the number! Why?

Makes wearing that shirt the equivalent of wearing skips as a kid.......at least to me.

[nyy26wc]

The whole purpose of putting numbers on the backs of players uniforms was to force people to buy a scorebook in order to tell the players apart. The saying, "You can't tell the players without a scorecard" started as an ad campaign.

If you put the player's name on the back, you sabotage the purpose.

Other time, most teams have decided to put player names on the uniforms. But, at some point in time, tradition replaced greed as the Yankees's reason for holding out. Or, maybe tradition just replaced greed as the official reason.

[Shel]

I've always wondered why the Yankees don't have players' names on their uniforms. I'm trying to learn who is who on the team this year, and names on the unis would be helpful. :)

Re: #51, Fernando Lunar (who??) of the Orioles also wears that number.

"02" is certainly a unique way of getting around not giving out the retired # "2"!

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by Shel
I've always wondered why the Yankees don't have players' names on their uniforms. I'm trying to learn who is who on the team this year, and names on the unis would be helpful.

Hang in there Shel - - eventually, the numbers just come to you...........

......true story (and, yes, I'm very strange): Know how some people count sheep when they can't sleep? Well, I count by Yankees - - using uniform numbers - either the current Yankee, retired number, or the last Yankee to wear that number........like this:

Billy Martin
Derek Jeter
Babe Ruth
Lou Gehrig
Joe DiMaggio
Joe Torre
Mickey Mantle
Yogi & Dickey
Roger Maris
Phil Rizzuto
Chuck Knoblauch
Clay Bellinger
Michael Coleman
Joe Oliver
Thurman Munson
Whitey Ford
Doc Gooden..........etc.

Most times, I'm :sleeping: by Mendoza or Todd Williams. :loud:

[nyy26wc]

Do you count in your own voice or in a Bob Shepperd imitation?

[Shel]

Originally posted by NetShrine


Hang in there Shel - - eventually, the numbers just come to you...........

Thanks, I'll try!

Originally posted by NetShrine
......true story (and, yes, I'm very strange): Know how some people count sheep when they can't sleep? Well, I count by Yankees - - using uniform numbers - either the current Yankee, retired number, or the last Yankee to wear that number......... :loud: If I did that with the Orioles' numbers this season, I'd have nightmares all night long.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by nyy26wc
Do you count in your own voice or in a Bob Shepperd imitation?

:loud: Lee - very good!
Just my voice - but I may have to try Bob now!

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by Shel
If I did that with the Orioles' numbers this season, I'd have nightmares all night long.

And, you'd be up later - - didn't both Rene Gonzalez and Belle wear number 88? That's a lot of counting.........

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Shel
I've always wondered why the Yankees don't have players' names on their uniforms. I'm trying to learn who is who on the team this year, and names on the unis would be helpful. :)

With the advent of the 'alternative' jersey, it gets even more confusing. The Mets have at least 5 different game jerseys. Some have numbers and names, others just numbers. What is the logic in that?

I propose that all 'away' uniforms would have the name displayed and the 'home' uniforms is optional. I am not going to know players from teams visiting Shea just by number. And if I am home watching, without a program, it is even more difficult.

[NetShrine]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
I propose that all 'away' uniforms would have the name displayed and the 'home' uniforms is optional.

Interesting suggestion Buzz - it has some merits. And, you're right about the alternate jersey thing - - blame the A's and Pirates of the late '70's - I believe they started it.