We’re just over a month away from the start of the 2021 edition of Detroit Tigers Spring Training, and more than a few players will be sporting a new jersey number.
Starting things off, new outfielder Robbie Grossman will be donning jersey No. 8, previously worn last season by Jonathan Schoop who is currently a free-agent. Additionally, Matt Manning will be wearing No. 25 this season after wearing a WR number in camp last year.
Shortstop Willi Castro will switch from No. 49 to No. 9, which was worn by another SS in years past by the name of Carlos Guillen. Previous players to wear No. 9 for Detroit include Nicholas Castellanos, Jordy Mercer and Brandon Dixon.
And finally, with the arrival of new manager A.J. Hinch, Christin Stewart will be giving his No. 14 to the new skipper and switching to No. 20. The most recent Tigers player to wear No. 20 was Rajai Davis in 2015.
In Tigers uniform number news, Willi Castro will wear number 9, worn years ago by another Tigers SS, Carlos Guillen.
Robbie Grossman will wear 8.
Christin Stewart, whose number 14 went to new manager A.J. Hinch, will now wear number 20.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) January 25, 2021
I have a novel idea! Just eliminate the outdated practice all together in favor of just going by the player’s last name!!