February 13, 200422 yr Marlins playing the numbers game By Jor Frisaro / MLB.com Miguel Cabrera will play right field and is projected to bat third this season. (Elsa/Getty Images) MIAMI -- When the Marlins begin Spring Training on Feb. 21, you may need a scorecard to tell the players. Since capturing the World Series championship last October, there have been several changes. The Marlins added some new players -- first baseman Hee Seop Choi, pitcher Darren Oliver and closer Armando Benitez -- and several returning starters will be sporting different numbers on the backs of their jerseys. Getting caught up in the numbers game is 20-year-old phenom Miguel Cabrera. After last season, Cabrera asked to switch from the No. 20 jersey he wore in 2003 to No. 24. From his early days playing as a child in Venezuela, Cabrera always wore No. 24. He sported the number most recently in Winter League play and the Caribbean Series for his native country. Why change now? Actually, Cabrera wanted to wear No. 24 last June when he was called up by the Marlins from Double-A Carolina. However, the request was put on hold. That's because Hall of Famer Tony Perez, special assistant to Marlins president David Samson, wears No. 24. As special assistant, Perez is in uniform for batting practice and warmups. But he doesn't sit in the dugout during games. When Cabrera joined the Marlins on June 20, Perez told the rookie that wearing No. 24 had to be earned. Cabrera was instrumental in the Marlins reaching the playoffs and he was a postseason star, batting cleanup in the World Series. Whatever the team asked, the rookie did. He converted from third base to left field and filled in at third when Mike Lowell missed September with a broken left hand. This season, Cabrera is switching to right field, and he is projected to bat third in the lineup. This winter, Cabrera continued posting impressive statistics. In the Caribbean Series, he was a key player for the Venezuelan Aragua Tigers. Cabrera batted either fifth or fourth in six Caribbean games, and finished 6-for-19 with two doubles, a triple, one RBI and two runs scored. Cabrera's sterling first season earned him the number he grew up wearing. But it's not like Perez is completely handing over the number. Perez, who previously managed the Marlins, will still wear No. 24. The Marlins now have two No. 24s. No. 20 Cabrera jerseys and T-shirts were popular among fans. A new batch of No. 24 Cabrera shirts are being manufactured and will be on sale for the season. Taking No. 20 now is reliever Mike Neu, acquired from Oakland for Mark Redman. First-base coach Perry Hill once again will wear No. 7 instead of 16. Hill handed No. 7 over to catcher Ivan Rodriguez in 2003. Since Pudge signed with Detroit, Hill gets the number he wore in 2002. Below is a list of number changes and the numbers for the major offseason acquisitions: RHP Armando Benitez, 49 RHP Chad Fox, 44 (previously 49) RF Miguel Cabrera, 24 (previously 20) RHP Mike Neu, 20 First-base coach Perry Hill, 7 (previously 16) 1B Hee Seop Choi, 25 LHP Darren Oliver, 37 1B/OF Wil Cordero, 16 Joe Frisaro is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. to me all right only sad cause my cabs jersey says 20 insted of 24 oh well life goes on lets go fish
February 13, 200422 yr If I were someone that owns a No. 20 jersey with a world series patch, I'd get it signed and frame it... Just for future reference...
February 13, 200422 yr Intresting...why do players care so much about what number they wear? Because its like part of them. I care alot about my number in my High school when the season starts for baseball.
February 13, 200422 yr Intresting...why do players care so much about what number they wear? Because its like part of them. I care alot about my number in my High school when the season starts for baseball. As do I.
February 13, 200422 yr That was awful nice of Perez to share his number with Cabs! If I were Perez, I would be delighted to share Cab's number as well.
February 13, 200422 yr Isn't that ironic that Choi will wear D Lee's number? :o Let's hope that is a good omen.
February 13, 200422 yr Isn't that ironic that Choi will wear D Lee's number? :o Let's hope that is a good omen. Yeah lets hope he can hit 30 homers like D.lee but be way more clutch....
February 13, 200422 yr Having your favorite number is very much important for a player,it all start's when you're a kid the number you like is the number you will alway's like to have.
February 13, 200422 yr new shirts of his number huh.that reminds me when is the new stock for the marlins en miami store going to come?
February 13, 200422 yr In and inrterview Josh Beckett said that number 61 was Livan Hernandez jersey. He said he didn't want the bad luck to follow in his footsteps from the trouble Livan got into. That's not quoted exact word, but if I come across the article I'll add it on here.
February 14, 200422 yr Having your favorite number is very much important for a player,it all start's when you're a kid the number you like is the number you will alway's like to have. Exactly. A number is a part of you as a player. I for one am fond of the number 1 like Luis Castillo. I just like it.
February 16, 200422 yr Thanx for the heads up. I was just about to get my home jersey customized with Cab's name and number....My road jersey should be ready any day now (Conine). For those who want to do it, Midway Sports has someone that does it like to look like the pro jerseys....They're also sewing on my World Series patches...
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