By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper and his family have arrived in Clearwater, and before he can be introduced on Saturday, he will need a uniform number to coincide with his new red pinstripes attire.
Harper, 26, wore No. 34 with the Washington Nationals since his debut in 2012. No. 34, however, is revered in Philadelphia, as the late and soon-to-be Hall of Fame RHP Roy Halladay wore that during his time as a Phillie.
It appears Harper is respecting Doc's legacy, as he will not retain No. 34 over his new 13-year contract. Rather, Harper will wear No. 3 in red pinstripes, according to Philly.com's Matt Breen.
Bryce Harper will wear No. 3 for the #Phillies, as @matt_breen first reported. Team has been talking about retiring Roy Halladay’s No. 34 or at least keeping it iced. Halladay will be inducted into the @baseballhall in July. Plenty of time for Harper to rebrand himself, right?
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) March 2, 2019
Ironically, Harper will become the 34th Phillie to ever wear No. 3. The last Phillie to wear No. 3 was David Lough in 2016, preceded by Jeff Francoeur in 2015, Marlon Byrd in 2014, Roger Bernadina and Delmon Young in 2013, and Hunter Pence in 2011-12, among others. Hall of Famer and Phillies great, outfielder Chuck Klein, most notably wore No. 3 with the Phillies from 1932-42, notes Baseball-Reference.