Where do jersey numbers actually come from? | Quick Question (MLB Originals)

Jersey numbers are synonymous with any team sport these days, but did you know they got a huge boost in popularity because of baseball? On this episode of Quick Question, we explore how jersey numbers came about in MLB and their explosion in importance to players. From Francisco Lindor to Ken Griffey Jr. to Rickey Henderson to Babe Ruth, players’ numbers have meant something throughout eras for different reasons. Also, how did the names get on the back too?
This episode was produced before protests against racial injustice began in response to the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and more. MLB is returning to previously scheduled videos, but we are committed to using this channel and the rest of our platforms to fight for change.
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[@MLB]

What's your favorite baseball jersey number??

[@phillyjax]

26 for my all-time favorite player Chase Utley.

[@mexican_konnichiwasenpai8292]

46, Cause that's my favorite number and I didn't know about Andy Pettitte, so I'm just gonna pretend that he's my favorite player.

[@blazeroosterYT]

13 because of Ronald Acuna

[@imgriff4670]

6

[@isaacbaseball7868]

7

[@stephenkaake7016]

"umpires dont respect high numbers" I didnt know they could see that far

[@charliemendez7595]

LMAOOOO W

[@SwoteOffical]

umpire wearing 103: i’m just feeling down

[@matbarzalzachwilsonjacobde781]

LOL 😂

[@TehJew22]

They can't count to 5, how can they count to 100?!

[@mdb831]

underrated comment

[@lucass.8338]

The john kruk appearance caught me off guard. Dude is a national treasure

[@189x]

the day someone uses the pi sign as a jersey number will be amazing

[@Zdeno33]

Whoever does, has to write it in the contract that if they retire the number, they have to use numerals on the banner and not the symbol.

[@ocbee6175]

@Don Clark 3.14 dude

[@ocbee6175]

@Don Clark that’s the most commonly used number for pi, probably what the guy meant. May be wrong tho

[@ocbee6175]

@Don Clark we do know numbers past it dude

[@MarloSoBalJr]

Elon Musk's son if he ever play sports

[@guessundheit6494]

Numbers in the NHL mattered during the days when they travelled by train. Beds were assigned by number, so the goaltender (1), defencemen (2-8) and star forwards (7-14) got priority. Rookies and fringe players had to sleep in upright seats.

[@mastod0n1]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but I just don't see how jersey number should affect who sat where on the train. Like was there ever a situation where a player was washed up but had a lower jersey number than someone else and kicked them out of their bed solely because they had a better jersey number?

[@BaseballQuotes1]

This is so cool! Had no idea Bill Veeck was responsible for putting names on the back!

[@MLB]

He's involved in everything!

[@BaseballQuotes1]

@@MLB he really is!

[@eely225]

Well now we need the “why mangers wear jerseys” episode

[@DanBarnett0727]

They got it

[@Magic_beans_]

Short answer, in the early days the work that we currently identify with the manager was done by the team captain (who of course is also a player). As sports became more of a business the roles were split. In other sports the coaches switched to wearing suits, but baseball is nothing if not traditional.

[@ZackRaab]

Welcome back! Missed MLB Originals the past two weeks... Love this new episode! :)

[@MLB]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@Prim3MavericK]

Yeah MLB please do more of these Quick Question segments, i could watch these for days

[@myfbusters]

Yesterday the Cardinals called up Jesús Cruz (#86) and Genesis Cabrera started wearing #92, so now 89 is the only one never used!

[@jackberinato9911]

You obviously made this comment a while ago, but now in 2022 Tanner Houck wears 89 for the Red Sox

[@dannyrivera8300]

21 is a sense of pride for me especially because I'm Puerto Rican myself ... wore it in little league every time I play MLB the show RTTS I always choose 21 unless it's Retired

[@maxipad27]

I love these videos so much! It helps you learn so much in a short amount of time!

[@jpsned]

In the beginning of the 1972 season, the Mets' Jim Beauchamp was wearing #24. A month into the season the Mets traded for Willie Mays, and of course Willie needed to wear that number. So Jim graciously became #5 and Willie got his famous #24. 🙂

[@user-lc3mt6kt9x]

single digits were often worn by great players in Japan.

[@AIDSTER2020]

Who really wants to see baseball again

[@MotionCC]

Since they haven’t gotten the health organizations agreeing with their plans yet if it can’t come back I hope that the Players Association and the MLB can come to an agreement so next season isn’t effected by it

[@jm_fraker]

Eli Manning sent the Giant’s punter’s family to Disney World for number 10

[@mannyortiz6035]

You know when MLB uploads its gonna be good content

[@MLB]

Thank you!

[@stevenhamann4344]

@@MLB yo mlb youtube admin whos your favorite team

[@markbauer2902]

these vids have been really good. Thanks

[@DavidBridgesPLC]

These are so well made. Incredible!

[@palmettostatebreaks8520]

That’s super cool. Thank you for another amazing video MLB!

[@PrimarySweeper13]

My number in little league is 24. I did this for my Grandfather who was born in 1924. He passed away 10 years ago

[@rocknrallsoul94rockero4]

3:24 that 60s, 70s style though 🔥😎✌🤘

[@MLB]

So good

[@walkingTANK]

It's nice to see Andy Samberg enjoying a game though.

[@kend158]

Please get things correct - Yankees Murderers' Row was 1927 not 1929

[@austin-on4rk]

no matter what sport i was playing, i never wanted to wear any number other than 32. i never really had any particular reason for it either, it was just a number i grew up liking, and by the time i started developing an interest in sports at 7-8 years old, i would always doodle 32 jerseys in my notebooks at school, and give myself 32 in ps2 sports games, and it just kinda stuck.

[@yomamaso100]

Played football in HS Was #56 If I play any sports even in videogames I always use 56

[@mypenisisunbelievablysmall6491]

I’ll be the first to wear 86. It’s my birthday (August 6th)

[@LindyCity]

Love this! Wish it was an hour long! I did not know Snell was the first single-digit pitcher All-Star!

[@GarrettWorcester]

Neither did he, apparently 😄 - I didn't know there was a "thing" about pitchers *not* wearing single-digit numbers.

[@Frostflame]

7:32 This aged poorly.

[@youtubeuser1758]

Man I thought I would never see another Quick Question video! I’m glad to see this video!

[@erickalena]

"What does number 42 mean to you?" Mariano Rivera. Immediately. I know Jackie Robinson wore it first, but it's so imprinted in my mind by the man who started my love for baseball in the first place.

[@chrisscott6961]

Central Florida is putting scan codes on the back of jerseys this year, you scan it and get the players stats and bio

[@leonardogarces7563]

Interesting didn’t know about this 👍🏾

[@kalebmattox5201]

I watch this video every day that how much I LOVE IT

[@notvalidcharacters]

John Facenda 1:41, Ken Nordine (I think) at 4:15 But that's not Ruth wearing #3 at 1:54 --- ?

[@codylamb8991]

Love watching stuff like this

[@justie1220]

This series is super interesting!!!

[@DanBarnett0727]

When Brain wilson pitched for the Dodgers he wore # 00..I always felt like that was unique

[@Soap20000]

These videos are so good :( too bad they’ll never make more

[@brian70Cuda]

This so cool!! Thank you for the info, good greaf, I so love this game!! Are we done for this year or na? I'm just a shmuck out of who cares, need my boys of summer!!!!!!!

[@noahshearouse4554]

check mlb.com

[@VicariJohn]

Who’s here from Instagram?

[@Joestupka]

Everyone

[@shane9245]

what no

[@larrysnipes7113]

Never knew the significance of jersey numbers in the major leagues! very interesting, Still get emotional when I see the famous Lou Gerhig speech.

[@mystik_skillzz2225]

The beat go hard 🔥🔥🔥🤟

[@katherineberger6329]

As soon as the Twins traded Eddie Rosario, Josh Donaldson changed from #24 to his customary #20.

[@koppadasao]

If I'll have to wear a fraction, I'll wear 1/4, because that's the King. King Christian Quarter of Denmark-Norway

[@katherineberger6329]

In his memoir "I Love This Game: My Life and Baseball," Kirby Puckett wrote that he wanted to wear #24 when he came up in the big leagues because of Willie Mays. #24 at the time was worn by Tom Brunansky, so Puckett got #34, which was retired for him in 2001.

[@Zdeno33]

It's always interesting to hear players tell why they choose the numbers they do. This is from hockey but two of the more interesting ones are Sidney Crosby; 87 represents his birth day and birth year- August 7th, 1987. Wayne Gretzky ended up with 99 because someone was already wearing 9 so someone suggested he do 99 to be different. Supposedly Mario Lemieux wore 66 because it's 99 upside down.

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

Jari Kurri wore 65 for Cystic Fibrosis awareness (65 Roses)

[@tylermccann848]

I don't know if it's an unwritten rule, unlucky, or some other reason, but it still looks weird to me to see a pitcher with a single digit.

[@k-l7204]

This videos are so intriguing

[@bigcat618]

3:44 - Actually it was Bill Veeck Sr. who had the ivy planted on Wrigley Field's walls.

[@TP35YT]

Miguel Yajure, Genesis Cabrera, Jesus Cruz be like I'm About to end this videos career

[@collinw6560]

I would choose a number that was never used

[@superjonh1000]

I never cared that much about number, but if I played as a pitcher I'd wear 34 or 55 as homage to King Felix or Tim Lincecum, two of the guys who got me interested in baseball back a decade or so ago. I used to play soccer when I was in middle school and I had number 8 as I was a middlefielder, but yeah never cared much for that, I feel like John Kruk on this topic. But I also respect a lot Snell for honoring his number.

[@zachson6327]

Baseball is the best sport

[@pizzajona]

3:23 Woah! That’s definitely Andy Samberg in the ‘60s

[@notvalidcharacters]

I thought that was Cookie Rojas, but he didn't play for the Cubs.

[@pizzajona]

notvalidcharacters talking about the fan it cuts too, should’ve made that more explicit

[@user-lc3mt6kt9x]

3:51 does chris sale hate these ones?

[@SilverAerialist]

Can we talk about how that one picture of Phil Sheridan, the Phillies clubhouse manager, is him with Jason Kelce who plays center for the Eagles, and Lights Out Brad Lidge??? Like they didn't pick a picture with any current players, but one that has a famous retired Phillie and a current Eagles star.

[@walkingTANK]

3:24 Andy Samberg enjoying the game!

[@jpsned]

7:31 "After nearly 100 years of uniform numbers, no major leaguer ever has worn 86, 89 or 92." UPDATE: In May 2021, the Mets had an outfielder named Jake Hager who played five games for them and wore 86. Then in July, they had a pitcher named Robert Stock who pitched in two games wearing 89. 🙂

[@dodgerrichie7274]

lol. hahaha Classic John Kruk. Love that guy. Some players are very superstitious. So if they move to a different team, they will keep their number for that reason as well.

[@danield2sl]

Cool video. Keep them coming

[@jamesolson5715]

This is the best Original Series by far!

[@TheSolidSnakeOil]

6:33 - Of course Kruk traded his number for beer.

[@nohbuddy1]

Glad the Yankees don't have names on the back

[@OfficialKevRy]

Murderers' Row is the 1927 Yankees. The '29 Yankees won just 88 games

[@elmascavidal1797]

42. 21. 24. 44. 3. The most iconic numbers in baseball history

[@aurimoonlight]

#24 had the who's who of baseball: Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr and Rickey Henderson.

[@bruh-lw2in]

@@aurimoonlight bonds was #25

[@theinkysquid7661]

No matter what sports game I pick I always choose the number 9. Where I come from it has near legendary status in sports.

[@johnnyblaze5540]

If I ever made it, I would love to wear #9 for Roger Maris. I'm a Royals fan but Maris was my favorite player of all time.

[@geoffroi-le-Hook]

He did play for Kansas City (A's)

[@muozimixe]

The birthday reason is why i wear my number

[@smashboogietheilladelic5740]

Great segment.

[@patrickwagner98]

I remember a story about Rene Gonzalez coming to the Orioles and knowing he wasn't going to get his number 8. So he wore 88.

[@whateverdcal6521]

Actually, little known fact, the Yankees first had the idea for numbers, but they got rained out, so the Indians get all the credit.

[@vikramparmar8093]

great video!

[@SonGoku-zf6rq]

As a Kid My Favorite Number# Was 22 at The Time am a Dodgers Fan 💙⚾ & Clayton Kershaw Number Jersey is That

[@chasewoood7363]

I'd never get close to the MLB but I find it so funny cuz my number is 92 and no one has ever had it?!

[@CaptainCapital8]

My number would be 21 (Just a favorite number) if I was playing in the field, 43 if I was pitching (For Tom Wilson and Richard Petty)

[@larrysnipes7113]

Petty was the King!

[@boyrasta4]

Thanks MLB!

[@noahcricket]

Man how I miss my marlins

[@sherlock_1]

Eddie Gaedel still has the most unique number of all time

[@TheRprecupjr]

I was coming here to post about him when they showed those three at the end.....the 1/8 was his number. Good old Bill Veeck again 😆

[@massey4business]

I'll always remember Mitch Williams for #99.

[@notvalidcharacters]

It's kinda weird that they spent so much time on Mitch Williams wearing 28 --- when he's known for wearing 99.

[@Tobtakular]

Cardinals Pitcher Genesis Cabrera wears 92

[@ghyuty17]

9:23 1/8 has already been used

[@michaellyga4726]

My MLB the show player wore 69 and he retired with over 900 home runs and 10 mvp awards just pick what feels right

[@sharonankner9949]

Nice

[@michaellyga4726]

@@sharonankner9949 Side note: his best season had a .420 batting average. I struck out purposely a couple times at the end of the year to get it just right.

[@bruh-lw2in]

7:40 As of 2021 the number 92 has been worn by Chris Gittens of the New York Yankees

[@ItsGamingFancy]

So much love for clemente! Respect!

[@joeg5414]

I wasn't going to say anything and then I saw Snell wears 4 because his birthday is December 4th and he wore it in high school. That's exactly my story😂 I was born Dec 4th and wore number 4 in little league and high school. Kinda cool.

[@snalesnail5823]

Except judge who is very important and has number 99

[@GOM420]

Another crease in my brain, awesome. 'Cause knowledge is power!

[@roselifurtado1918]

Gente canal muito bom to ansiosa pro próximo video

[@papagrantits]

Angel Hernandez can't see your number, so you're good.

[@lukefruits1066]

Gotta love the Yankees, you can't wear 1-10 anymore.

[@ViniZiello]

Pitchers shouldnt wear high numbers, eh? Me: Looking at my #95... Oh well

[@imgriff4670]

Did she go from 1960 to 1930? 🤔

[@renleo8432]

GREAT VID!!!

[@connerpeterson1119]

Could they just not change the lineup back in the day?

[@tsukikotsutsukakushi9339]

pretty sure there's a futurama episode where all whole numbers were retired.

[@thunderbugcreative7778]

Very few 69s in the big leagues. I think 3.14 would be a nice "round" number....

[@maverickjb10]

Great stuff!

[@rocknrallsoul94rockero4]

Am I the only one who is obsessed about who's getting their number retired

[@CTDisqoTeck78]

Great video, then there's San Diego Padres Blake Snell and Marcus Stroman.

[@28-3]

U know Snell could have took 51 and they could sneak in a tiny dash in between so it looked like 5-1