New York Yankees: Adam Ottavino already making history

Even though he has yet to throw a pitch for the franchise, Adam Ottavino is already making history for the New York Yankees.

The proud and vibrant history of the New York Yankees is quite evident. They have won 27 World Series championships, 40 American League pennants, and made the playoffs 54 times in their 117 years as a franchise. Their all time roster reads like a who’s who of legendary players, with Hall of Famers everywhere. That stature is also reflected in their retired numbers, as 21 different numbers have been set aside, never to be worn again. Every number from 1 through 10 has been retired, including the number 8 twice, for Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey.

Yet, in the history of the franchise, the number 0 has never been worn. That will no longer be the case when the latest member of the Yankees formidable bullpen, Adam Ottavino, takes the mound for the first time in the 2019 regular season.

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Considering how many numbers have been retired by the Yankees over the years, it is amazing that no one has yet to don the 0, the only single digit number remaining. And yet, it has fallen upon Ottavino, who had worn that number since 2013 with the Rockies, to become the first player to do so.

Amazingly, that is not the only number never to have been worn in Yankees history. There are 19 other numbers that have not been assigned to, or requested by, a player on the Yankees major league roster. All of those numbers begin after 74, while Luis Cessa and Alfredo Aceves are the only players to have worn 85 and 91 respectively.

At some point, one has to imagine those other numbers will be used up. The Yankees will continue to amass great players, and their numbers will be retired, looked upon with a sense of pride and awe at the accomplishments of that honored player. Those other number will eventually be used, leading other players to make history just be walking on the field.

He may not have thrown a pitch for the New York Yankees just yet, but Adam Ottavino will make history when he does. The final single digit jersey, number 0, will finally adorn a player for the franchise.