Brett changes his number
December 23, 1975 George Brett wore #25 his first two seasons in the majors. In 1975 he changed his jersey number from #25 to #5 to pay homage to one of his favorite players (who also played third base), Brooks Robinson.
Bobby Del Greco wore 10 different uniform numbers in his 9 year career.
Bobby Del Greco was a light hitting outfielder who played in 9 major league seasons from 1952 to 1965. He played for six different teams, beginning his career in 1952 with the Pirates and ending in 1965 with the Phillies. Though a poor hitter, his excellent fielding made him a valuable asset to every team…
White Sox are first team to have names on the backs
On March 13, 1960, the Chicago White Sox unveil an important uniform innovation. Much to the chagrin of other owners and most of his players. The White Sox’ road uniforms feature players’ names on the backs of the jerseys, in an exhibition game against Cincinnati in Tampa marking the first time that players’ names will…
Pacific Coast League Hollywood Stars wear shorts and rayon shirts as their Opening Day uniform
Pacific Coast League Hollywood Stars wear shorts and rayon shirts as their Opening Day uniform. In 1976, the White Sox will also don shorts in the first game of a doubleheader against Kansas City.
The Pirates, wearing their black and gold color scheme for the first time, lose baseball’s traditional opener in Cincinnati
The Pirates, wearing their black and gold color scheme for the first time, lose baseball’s traditional opener in Cincinnati, 4-1, in a game that features scuffles between opposing players, an ump, and a photographer, a fan who jumps on the field, and the police. The Bucs, the first team to permanently change their original colors, abandoned the familiar patriotic look of red, white, and blue, choosing instead to use hues that match the Flag of Pittsburgh.
For the first time in club history, the A’s wear numbers on their uniforms
For the first time in club history, the A’s wear numbers on their uniforms. Connie Mack, the owner and manager of the team, believed the sale of scorecards would suffer because players could be identified by their jerseys.
The National League finally approves the use of uniform numbers to identify players.
The National League finally approves the use of uniform numbers to identify players. Although some teams in the AL implemented digits on their jerseys on a regular basis a few seasons ago, the Senior Circuit had refused to follow suit, probably as the result of the Cardinals being harassed by opposing players and fans when they wore numerals on their sleeves in 1923.
At Cleveland’s League Park the first game in major league history in which players from both teams wear numbers on the back of their jerseys.
At Cleveland’s League Park, the Indians defeat the Yankees, 4 – 3, in the first game in major league history in which players from both teams wear numbers on the back of their jerseys.
The New York Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms
1929 – The New York Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms, becoming the first baseball team to start continuous use of the numbers. The first numbers are based on positions in the batting order; thus, Babe Ruth will wear number 3 and Lou Gehrig number 4. In a few weeks, the Cleveland Indians announce that they, too, will put numbers on the uniforms. By 1931, all American League teams will use them. It will be 1933 before all National League players are numbered.
Robins’ owner Charles Ebbets has players on both teams sport numbers on their sleeves
1917 – The Boston Red Sox beat the Brooklyn Robins, 11 – 2, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. For tomorrow’s exhibition game in Memphis, Tennessee, players on both teams will sport numbers on their sleeves, the idea of Robins’ owner Charles Ebbets. His reasoning is that fans in non-major league cities would be unfamiliar with the players.
