On The Line
On The Line
Behing the Jersey Number w/ the A's
[NATS: CROWD NOISE ( 3 seconds)]
ANCHOR (intro) - Addi 15 seconds: Every jersey number tells a story with the digits on their backs meaning much more than just a uniform choice—they carry history, personal meaning, and a connection to the game they love. I spoke to 3 A’s players on the origins and meanings behind their numbers, let's dive into the stories
Addi (VO) [5 seconds] - First up is third baseman out of Gonzaga, Brett Harris
[Broadcast Clip ( 10 seconds)]
Addi & Brett Harris (SOT) [1 min 15 seconds]
Addi: (SOT) Last season you were 77 and you made the change to 11. What sparked that change in your jersey number?
Brett: (SOT) Well, 77 was kind of just like given to me in the first place. I've been number 12 my whole career. And well, besides Gonzaga actually, that number was actually given to me as well. But I just wanted to get as close to number 12 as I could and 11 was open. So it was an easy transition to number 11.
Addi: (SOT) Is there a significant meaning behind number 12 for you?
Brett: (SOT) In high school I got the number 12 and all my teammates gave me the nickname B-12. Kind of like the vitamin. And it kind of just stuck. My mom calls me B-12. She doesn't call me by my first name, she calls me B-12. So that's kind of, I mean, it's just a trip down memory lane for me.
Addi: (SOT) Do you feel like there's a significant impact on how you play on the field in correlation to your jersey number?
Brett: (SOT) I don't know if there's a direct correlation. I know some guys just feel more comfortable. I mean, when you're out there you don't really think about it. But every day when you get to the locker room and you see that number hanging in your locker. I mean, some guys have more significant meaning to each number. Either their dad wore a number or something along those lines. But there's no true significant meaning to me. It doesn't really matter.
Addi (VO) [3 seconds] Next up, I spoke to shortstop Max Muncy.
[Broadcast Clip ( 10 seconds)]
Addi & Max Muncey (SOT) [42 seconds]
Addi: (SOT) All right, Max, last season you were 7. Now you're number 10. What instigated that jersey number change?
MAX: (SOT) I think it's just new season, kind of wanted a fresh start. Obviously had some injury problems last year. So I kind of want to maybe get away from that, get a new number. Hopefully get a full year on the field.
Addi: (SOT) Do you feel like you gain an emotional attachment to your high school number, your college number?
MAX: (SOT) I think it's just kind of like how you play. If you play well on a number, you kind of want to keep it. I feel like so far I've felt pretty comfortable on 10. So as long as I keep on that track, I'm going to keep it for a while.
Addi (VO) [3 seconds] Last up, shortstop Jacob Wilson.
[Broadcast Clip ( 10 seconds)]
Addi & Jacob Wilson (SOT) [42 seconds]
Addi: (SOT) Jacob, you just recently got the number 5. What is the story behind that?
Jacob: (SOT) Yeah, so when I got to the AAA, I kind of just got it by chance. Just walked in the clubhouse. I think someone was wearing 2 at the time, which was the number I wore in college and all the minor leagues. So I got it by chance, but it was crazy. Just because in high school when I was playing summer ball with TBG. And I think someone there was already wearing number 2 when I joined the team. And they also gave me number 5. So it's just been like 2 and 5 have always been my numbers. But just the coincidence of them giving me 5 after I wore it for 4 years in high school. It's just alright. It's got to be my number. Got to roll with it. So it's a little bit something different too than dad, dad wore 2. So now I have a little something that is a little different.
Addi: (SOT) So how did he react to you getting the number 5? Did he want you to continue that legacy? What was that like?
Jacob: (SOT) He wants me to change it back to 2. He wants me to change it back to 2. Because I've always been number 2. And he wore number 2. So he wants the father-son wearing number 2.
Anchor (Intro): Addison 5 seconds: These stories are proof that there's much more behind a jersey number. Thanks for listening.