TANAKA TAKES RIGHETTI'S #19

Masahiro Tanaka has chosen his number.  While he was in Japan, he wore #18.  But now, with Hiroki Kuroda wearing 18, Tanaka had to choose another.  He chose #19 the former number of good old Dave Righetti.

The Yankees tweeted this picture below of the new uniform of Tanaka. Looks like he just took the next best number, the one closest to 18. Check it out:

The #Yankees pinstripes are ready for Tanaka. pic.twitter.com/qMd5Xx8i0a
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) January 24, 2014

I read an interesting nugget that I wasn't aware of. #18 in Japan is a very unique honor. In fact, I was reading Wikipedia and it said this about Japanese baseball and 18:

"In Nippon Professional Baseball, the Japanese big leagues, the number 18 is often reserved for the ace pitcher. Upon arriving in the MLB, Japanese "import" pitchers have sought the number again (notably Hiroki Kuroda, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and Hisashi Iwakuma)."

Interesting right?

Anyway, I thought I'd bring that to you... enjoy your Sunday. I cannot wait until Spring Training!

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