Can You Have the Number 69 in Major League Baseball (MLB)?
The number 69 has a long history of being associated with an obscene joke, and Major League Baseball (MLB) teams have long avoided giving the number to any of their players. But, is it against the rules of MLB for a player to wear the number 69?
MLB Regulations on Uniform Numbers
MLB has several regulations regarding the uniform numbers that players may wear. With some exceptions, players are generally only allowed to wear numbers between 1 and 99. Of these, only the numbers 0 and 00 have been prohibited in the past. However, the number 69 has never been officially banned by MLB.
History of the Number 69
The number 69 has been used in a variety of different contexts, but it is most commonly associated with an obscene joke. The origins of the joke are unclear, but it is generally accepted that the joke first became popular in the 1960s.
Despite its connotations, the number 69 has been used by players in other sports, such as soccer and hockey. For example, the soccer player Luis Figo wore the number 69 during his time with the Portuguese club Sporting CP. In the National Hockey League (NHL), the player Chris Pronger famously wore the number 69 for the Edmonton Oilers in the late 1990s.
MLB Players Who Have Worn the Number 69
In MLB, the number 69 has been worn by several players. The first was outfielder Frank Shellenback, who wore the number while playing for the St. Louis Browns in 1956. Since then, the number has been worn by players such as pitcher Jack McDowell and infielder Mark McLemore.
Despite its connotations, the number 69 has not caused any issues in MLB. In fact, it has only been worn by a handful of players over the years, and none have caused any controversy.
Reactions from Fans and the Media
Despite its connotations, the number 69 has not caused any major issues in MLB. Generally, fans and the media have reacted positively when a player has chosen to wear the number. For example, when Chris Pronger chose to wear the number 69 for the Edmonton Oilers in the late 1990s, the move was met with amusement and support from fans.
Why the Number 69 Is Not Popular in MLB
Despite its lack of controversy in MLB, the number 69 is still not very popular among players. This is likely because of the fact that its connotations are seen as inappropriate or offensive. As a result, players tend to avoid the number in order to maintain a professional image.
Conclusion
While the number 69 has never been officially banned by MLB, it is still not a very popular choice among players. This is likely because of its connotations, which are seen as inappropriate or offensive. However, the number has been worn by several players in the past, and it has not caused any major issues in MLB.
FAQs
- Is the number 69 banned in MLB?
No, the number 69 is not officially banned in MLB. However, it is not a very popular choice among players due to its connotations.
- What is the origin of the joke associated with the number 69?
The origin of the joke associated with the number 69 is unclear, but it is generally accepted that it first became popular in the 1960s.
- Has the number 69 caused any issues in MLB?
No, the number 69 has not caused any major issues in MLB. It has only been worn by a handful of players, and none have caused any controversy.
Takeaway
The number 69 has a long history of being associated with an obscene joke, and MLB teams have long avoided giving the number to any of their players. However, MLB has never officially banned the number, and it has been worn by several players in the past without any major issues. As a result, it is technically possible for a player to wear the number 69 in MLB, though it is not a very popular choice among players due to its connotations.