Yanks' Hawkins to give up O'Neill's No. 21
BY ANTHONY RIEBER
7:42 PM EDT, April 15, 2008
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.
Paul O'Neill fans, your voices have been heard.
Yankees reliever LaTroy Hawkins confirmed Tuesday night that he is planning to switch his uniform number Wednesday to 22 instead of O'Neill's unretired 21 when the team returns home to face the Red Sox.
"Yeah, I'm changing it," said Hawkins, whose decision was first reported by CBSsportsline.com.
The Yankees had not given out No. 21 since the beloved O'Neill retired after the 2001 season. For some unknown reason, they assigned it to Hawkins, who said he was wearing it in honor of Roberto Clemente.
Hawkins had worn 32 in his career, but 32 is retired for former Yankees catcher Elston Howard.
Hawkins heard it from Yankees fans on the team's first homestand. They booed him during Opening Day ceremonies and chanted O'Neill's name when he entered games. Hawkins said he decided to make the change after discussing the matter with Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera.
The last Yankee to wear 22 was Roger Clemens.
Hawkins, who along with Jeter are the Yankees' African-American players, declined to change his number to 42 Tuesday night for Jackie Robinson Day. He did so last season as a member of the Rockies on the 60th anniversary of Robinson's breaking the color barrier.
"Last year was 60 years," he said. "I wore it last year. It was nice to honor him, what he stood for, his legacy. Sixty years to the day. That was pretty cool. I didn't know they were doing it every year. Sixty, 65, 70. I don't think every year."
Jeter wore 42 Tuesday night along with manager Joe Girardi, second baseman Robinson Cano, who was named after Robinson and wears 24 in his honor, and Rivera. The entire Tampa Bay team wore 42.
Extra bases
Ian Kennedy, who was hit in the right side by a ball Monday night, said he felt less sore and hopes to make his start on Saturday . . . Jorge Posada (sore right shoulder) threw again and said he was "closer." . . . Shelley Duncan went into Tuesday night batting .500 (11-for-22 with five doubles and three HRs) since his demotion to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ ... 9603.story
BTW - Check out Duncan's stats.
