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LaTroy Hawkins Changes Numbers . . . Again
By Chad Gramling | April 18, 2008
When LaTroy Hawkins came to the New York Yankees, he reported to Spring Training and wore number 22. Then, Morgan Ensberg - who was randomly given number 21 as a non-roster invitee - willingly forfeited number 21. Hawkins saw an opportunity to honor an international hero; Yankees fans saw an opportunity to be idiots (IMHO):
Hawkins eagerly accepted No. 21 as a tribute to Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente but quickly learned that a pinstriped No. 21 has other meanings for Yankees fans. Unaware he was donning a number that had not been worn since O’Neill retired following the 2001 World Series, Hawkins was booed when introduced on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium. Fans chanted “Paul O’Neill” during one of his appearances in the Bronx [source: MLB.com].
Hawkins was urged by Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter and other Yankees players to forget the number because of the “headaches” it caused.
Hawkins will wear No. 22, last worn by Roger Clemens, when the Yankees take the field on Wednesday. He had said that he would be interested in wearing No. 42 on Tuesday as a tribute to Jackie Robinson, but declined to change his number for the game against the Rays.
Hawkins also has a yellow “Retire 21″ sticker from retire21.org on the side of his locker [source: ESPN.com].
Topics: Alumni, IMHO, Wizards |