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| Number 5 Hank Aaron scoring in 1954 for the Milwaukee Braves. |
Why did Aaron get number 5 in the first place? Sam Jethroe was a veteran of the Negro Leagues. Jethroe was 33 years old in 1950.
Sam Jethroe was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1950, playing for the Boston Braves, and the first African-American to play major-league baseball in Boston...
... many considered him the fastest man in baseball in his day. He was a better than average batter, although not nearly as accomplished on defense...
In 1953, the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee. Jethroe never played for the Milwaukee Braves. On April 13, he was optioned to Toledo on 24-hour recall, but was never recalled.
In 1953, the Boston Braves moved to Milwaukee. Jethroe never played for the Milwaukee Braves. On April 13, he was optioned to Toledo on 24-hour recall, but was never recalled.
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Jethroe wore number 5 1950-1952. No Brave wore number 5 in 1953. In 1954 Aaron got number 5. In 1955 no Brave wore 5 as Aaron switched to 44. After Felix Mantilla (1956-1958), 5 was next worn in 1973 by Paul Casanova and last worn in 2021 by Freddie Freeman, who is playing for the Dodgers in 2022. 34 Braves have worn number 5; Hank Aaron was about in the middle of those who did.
Eddie Mathews was a Hall of Fame Brave 1952-1966. He also wore a high number: 41.
Including Aaron, only three Braves ever wore number 44. Here are the other two:
Buzz Clarkson was another Negro League veteran; the 37 year old infielder played 14 games in 1952 for the Braves, his only games in the National League. Bob Chipman pitched for the Braves 1950-1952, ending his 12 year MLB career; he wore 14 and 44 in 1951.
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| Milwaukee Brave Hank Aaron wearing number 44 1955-1965. |
Milwaukee Braves 1955-1965
Atlanta Braves 1966-1974
Milwaukee Brewers 1975 and 1976 (American League).
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| Milwaukee Brewer Hank Aaron wearing number 44 1975-1976. |
Uniform numbers of Willie Mays. Wednesday, April 27, 2011
In his 1951 rookie season for the New York Giants Willie Mays wore number 14 in his first six games and then his familiar number 24. Davey Williams also wore 14 and Jack Maguire also wore 24.
I'm still trying to learn why Mays switched from 14 to 24.
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Number 7 on the Yankees in 1951. Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Mickey Mantle started his rookie season with the Yankees wearing uniform number 6...
Cliff Mapes started 1951 wearing 7 on his Yankee uniform...
Cerv replaced Mapes and Mantle replaced Cerv. That seems to be how number 7 got passed along.
(Mantle) ... sent down to Kansas City Blues...
Apparently when Mantle was sent down to KC Brown switched from 9 back to his familiar number 6...
When Mantle returned in late August the next available number was 7 because Cerv had been sent down to KC.
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