Big League Stew - MLB

Here's some bad news for the ultra-impulsive Dodger fans who already went out and bought a Clayton Kershaw jersey: The No. 54 he wore for his MLB debut on Sunday has already become obsolete.

Apologies for being the bearer of such bad news, but if you're one of the unfortunate souls who's out $150 or more, it's time to call your tailor to stop from becoming one of those guys who bought a Michael Jordan No. 45 jersey back in '95.

Yes, Kershaw will be wearing his old No. 22 when he starts tonight against the Mets. 

As is custom in the minor leagues, Kershaw was assigned a high number when he entered the Dodgers' minor league system and didn't have the opportunity to wear the number he wore throughout high school as a tribute to Will Clark, a fellow Texan. (I'll admit I was a little surprised that it wasn't because of Roger Clemens, another Lone Star stater.)

The story has a very cool twist, though. LA veteran Mark Sweeney had been wearing No. 22, but agreed to take the No. 21 that Esteban Loaiza left behind so that Kershaw could get his preferred double deuces. Even cooler was that Sweeney didn't go through the normal requests of a Mercedes or a first-born for the # rights.

Kerhsaw is "going to be in this uniform for a long, long time," Sweeney told the LA Times. "It's something important to do from an organizational standpoint."

Told you that was cool and, indeed, all's well that ends well (though not for you No. 54 jersey buyers): Sweeney sees his new number as a tribute to his former teammate and friend, the late Ken Caminiti.

 UPDATE: This story paints a little different picture of Sweeney's 'donation.'

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10 Comments

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  1. jeremy b
    1. Posted by jeremy b Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    Cool i think Kershaw should give him something anyway.
  2. John
    2. Posted by John Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:25 pm EDT

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    No remorse for all the Mark Sweeney No.22 jersey buyers?
  3. Todd S
    3. Posted by Todd S Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:14 pm EDT

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    54 - 22 = 32. 3 -2 = 1. Add 1 to Clayton's new number and you have 55. Orel Hershiser's old number. So it looks like according to Jim Carey and company that Clayton will begin a streak of 100+ scoreless innings tonight!
    thedaveburbarevolution.blogspot.com
  4. who
    4. Posted by who Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:59 pm EDT

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    KobeBryant
    http://sportkobebryant.bravehost.com/
  5. gottagotowork3
    5. Posted by gottagotowork3 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    todd s...
    you've got that right. it all starts tonight with a tough road game. dodgers got this one 10k's tonight.
  6. gottagotowork3
    6. Posted by gottagotowork3 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    Todd S...
    You've got that right. It all starts tonight with a tough road game. Dodgers got this one 10k's tonight.
  7. Mark E
    7. Posted by Mark E Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    He's a rookie, he should have a high number just like the other Dodgers rookies. He hasn't earned the right to change his number yet. He should have like # 98 to go along with Joe Beimel's # 97.
    http://bringbackpaulsorrento.blogspot.com/
  8. .
    8. Posted by . Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:13 pm EDT

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    Kershaw could give him a "hummer".
  9. Saldogg
    9. Posted by Saldogg Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:10 pm EDT

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    kersh!! i almost bought the jersey haha... now i get to order #22 one of my fave number
  10. nymfanrich
    10. Posted by nymfanrich Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:42 pm EDT

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    10 K's...100 scoreless innings...nice predictions guys. He couldn't even get out of the 4th. Luis Castillo took him yard. Luis Castillo. Ouch.

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