Photo: Philliedelphia/Steve Trapani
Luis Garcia appeared in Phillies Spring Training camp today wearing number 57, according to our friend @Clifford2008. Garcia wore 57 last year, but was assigned 43 heading into camp. What changed? A.J. Burnett changed. Burnett wore number 34 for most of his major league career, 12 seasons over four teams. But he will not wear number 34 for the Phillies; presumably, that 43 will go to Burnett.
Which, leads me to a question: should number 34 be retired?
The Phillies generally have held a number out of circulation for a while after a star player leaves town. After Curt Schilling left the Phillies in 2001, number 38 was unworm by a Phillies player until catcher Tim Gradoville wore the number as a September call-up in 2006. After Bobby Abreu left the Phillies in 2006, the number was unworn until 2009, when Sergio Escalona got some playing time. At the very least, we should expect that for 34.
Generally, the honor of a retired number goes to someone who has spent a significant amount of time in a Phillies uniform. Halladay's Phillies career spanned just four seasons. But those included some of the best pitching performances from a Phillies pitcher ever.
Halladay stormed into Philadelphia in 2010 and earned his second Cy Young award. Halladay pitch 250 2/3 innings and compiled a 21-10 record with a 2.44 ERA. In Halladay's second season in 2011 he helped lead the Phillies to their winningest season in team history. Halladay went 19-6 with a 2.36 ERA.
But then, injuries hit Halladay. In 2012, the Halladay of old was no more. Halladay made just 25 starts and gutted out an 11-8 record, with the highest ERA he had in his career since his sophomore slump of 2000. 2013 was no picnic either. Halladay made just 13 starts, going 4-5 with a 6.82 ERA. Then he hung it up.
Thus, with only two strong seasons, I do not think Halladay's number will make its way onto the brick wall that honors numbers 1, 14, 20, 32, and 36. The Phillies have many numbers that probably will never be reissued: 6, 11, 26, and 35. I do not think we will see number 34 again, until some obscure middle reliever comes to camp wearing it in 2017 or 2018. But we will see it again, and I think we'll all be reminded of Roy Halladay.
