When Manny Ramirez became a Dodger on July 31, 2008, he wanted jersey number 24 which, of course, had belonged to former Dodger manager Walter Alston. When Alston retired from the game in 1976, the Dodgers honored him by retiring his jersey the following year, thus becoming only the fourth Dodger in franchise history to be so honored (there are now 10). Alston was eventually enshrined in the hallowed Halls of Cooperstown in 1983, one year before his death on October 1, 1984 at the age of 72.

Manny’s second jersey choice was number 34 which, as every Dodger fans knows, belonged to beloved Dodgers left-hander Fernando Valenzuela. Although Manny didn’t know it at the time, Dodgers clubhouse manager Mitch Poole had already prepared jersey number 99 for him – a decision that would prove to be one of the greatest marketing moves in Dodgers history.

“What’s going on with the number, 99?” Ramirez asked former Dodgers catcher Russell Martin upon his arrive to the Dodgers clubhouse.

“Wayne Gretzky, bro. You know who Wayne Gretzky is,” Martin answered.

“I’m not a hockey player,” said Ramirez with an uncomfortable laugh. “I don’t even go deep anymore,” – a reference to the high jersey numbers worn by football players.

“What did you choose? Did you choose 99?” Martin asked.

“No, I chose 34,” Manny answered.

Needless to say, it was a bit of an awkward moment, especially for Mitch Poole, who had to explain to the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native that jersey number 34 is… well… kind of sacred around Dodger Stadium.

“‘What about 34?’ Manny asked Poole.

“Well… it’s not retired, but… Fernando… I can’t… we can’t do that,” Poole tactfully explained to Ramirez. “Fernando has always had that number and nobody else has worn it since. And [Manny] goes ‘Ya, but it’s not a retired number.’ And I said, in our hearts it is.”

When Fernando pitched in the Old-Timers game in 2013, he looked as though he could still go nine.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

The jersey thing created quite an interesting but light-hearted discussion in the Dodgers clubhouse and after former Dodgers Vice President of Communications Josh Rawitch told Manny that people were pretty fired up about jersey number 99 right now, Ramirez finally acquiesced and said “It’s fine, I’ll stay with 99 then.”

Phew! Crisis averted.

But Fernando isn’t in the Hall of Fame and baring a miracle vote from the Veteran Committee he probably never will be. So does Poole and the Dodgers organization keep Fernando’s jersey on ice forever? I’m thinking not.

Wouldn’t it be something if 18-year-old Mexican phenom Julio Urias is given the privilege to be the next Dodger to wear number 34? What better person and what better way to honor Fernando’s legacy? Fernando was a hard-throwing left-hander with an unhittable screwball taught to him by the late Bobby Castillo and Urias has a devastating curveball that he just recently improved upon by lowering his arm slot that he pairs with a blazing 95+ MPH fastball. Both are natives of Mexico – Fernando from Sonora and Urias from Sinaloa; both were discovered by recently awarded International Scout of the Year Mike Brito; and both began (and will begin) their MLB careers at a very young age – Fernando at age 20 and Urias quite possibly as an 18-year-old.

When the day comes, allowing Julio Urias to wear jersey number 34 is absolutely the right thing to do.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

If ever there was a ‘feels-right’ situation and the right thing to do, this would be it.

(Author’s Note: The entire Manny Ramirez jersey situation is documented in the 2009 DVD movie Bluetopia: The LA Dodgers Movie).