Penny, Maddux, #31?

I had been curious about what number Greg Maddux would take, since Brad Penny has been wearing the same one. My question was answered the other night when Maddux showed up with #36. However, I was pleased to read this in the wrapup story for yesterday’s well-played victory over the Reds:

Penny also said he’s trying to arrange a swap of jersey numbers with a third player so Maddux can have No. 31, which Penny has worn since he became a Dodger. Maddux currently has No. 36.

So that’s pretty dang cool of Penny. From what I’ve read about him, and despite his occasional temper-tantrum, Brad is actually a guy who goes out of his way to help out his teammates. Perfect example is his taking in of the brand-new rookie Russell Martin, giving him a place to live when he got to the Bigs.

Of course, now I wonder who the third team player mentioned above is. My guess — Oscar Robles, who is #13 when he’s with the Dodgers (he has #6 at the moment with the 51s).

Update

This from a Daily News story on Penny today, Penny does it all in win:

Speaking of Maddux, it now appears Penny might give up his No. 31 to the veteran who has worn it his entire career, but Maddux might still have to pitch tonight with No. 36. One day after pointing out that he blew out his elbow the last time he pitched with any other number (30) in 2004, Penny said he was trying to work a deal with one or two other players to get one of their numbers before he gave up his. “(Maddux) never asked me about it,” Penny said. “There are only a couple of numbers that I want to wear, but we’re trying to make it work. If we can do it, we’ll do it.”

So the mystery continues for now.

Update #2…er, #13

According to this story in yesterday’s Press-Enterprise:

When Greg Maddux takes the mound today for his Dodger debut, he won’t be wearing No. 31, the number the 40-year-old has traditionally sported. Maddux was given 36 because Penny didn’t want to relinquish the 31. Penny didn’t want 13 because of its reputation as an unlucky number.

Penny wore 30 when he was acquired by the Dodgers in 2004 but abandoned it after he suffered a mysterious nerve injury in his right biceps that sidelined him for the rest of the season.

So much for my Oscar Robles theory. ;) The #31 watch continues.

Update #3

Greg Maddux will be making his Dodger Stadium debut tomorrow (2006/08/08), and Dodgers.com had this amongst some other tidbits:

Maddux said he will likely wear No. 36 on Tuesday. Brad Penny had been trying to arrange a swap of No. 31, but the change (or no-change) in jersey is not an issue for Maddux.

“It’s how you pitch, not what shirt you wear,” the 40-year old right-hander said. “We’re all wearing blue.”

Update #4

Looks like the status quo will be it for now, according to an article in the LA Times, Jersey Not His No. 1 Concern:

But is it a sign of disrespect that Penny wouldn’t offer the uniform number to a future Hall of Famer? “I don’t take anything as a sign of disrespect,” Maddux said. “What’s important to me is how I perform on the field and my family. Other than that, I don’t let a whole lot bother me.”

Penny said last week that he would be willing to give Maddux his number as soon as he had acquired another satisfactory number from a teammate, but Penny said Monday night that he intended to keep No. 31. “Right now things are going good and there’s no reason to change,” said Penny, who said he was irked by comments made by Maddux’s agent, Scott Boras, that Penny was ignoring tradition. “It’s not a lack of respect for Maddux. I’m glad he’s my teammate.”

And that would appear to be that. :)

Update #5

Whoops, not so fast — one last update, from the end of this Aug 30th TJ Simers article:

A COUPLE of weeks ago Brad Penny offered his No. 31 to Greg Maddux, but Maddux told him he was just fine with No. 36.

“No reason for the clubbies to have to change things,” Maddux said. “If I wanted another number, it would’ve been No. 54 because that’s what my brother wore (for the Dodgers in 1990). But I’m sure Giovanni Carrara will be back.”

Carrara wore No. 55 for the Dodgers in 2001-2002 and again in 2004-2005, but when he rejoined the team this season, rookie Russell Martin was wearing No. 55 and apparently felt no reason to give it to Carrara, who settled for No. 54.