Sorry to those who have already bought Marcus Stroman jerseys and shirseys with #54 on the back. According to his tweet this morning, the Blue Jays rookie pitcher / pinch runner has decided to ditch the number he first wore this season in favour of #6, which is a more special number to him, representing his beloved late grandmother's birthday.
It's official. Jersey number change. Grandma's birthday! March 6th, 1943. 6 it is! Wearing #6 in the 6! #TORONTO
— Marcus Stroman (@MStrooo7) October 6, 2014"The 6" in Stroman's tweet references the forthcoming album Views from the 6, in which artist Aubrey Graham refers to the City of Toronto as "the 6". It is believed that the new moniker comes from the fact that Toronto's two oldest area codes are 416 and 647, although my (incorrect) interpretation of it as the 6 cities that merged to form Toronto is still better.
In conjunction with his jersey change, Stroman has also changed his Twitter account from @MStrooo7 to @MStrooo6.
The #54 was assigned to Stroman back in spring training when he was invited to big league camp--probably by the equipment manager--so it was only coincidence that he made his major league debut on May 4.
Stroman's #6 has not been worn by an active player since Jeff Mathis in 2012, but was the number assigned to A.J. Jimenez since his addition onto the 40-man roster. Other notable Blue Jays to wear #6 include John McDonald, Carlos Delgado (before he switched to #21), and manager Bobby Cox.
Full-time Blue Jays pitchers (that is, not position players pitching) who have worn a single-digit uniform number include Josh Towers (#7) and Kyle Drabek (#4), so let's hope Stroman doesn't follow in their career trajectories.
UPDATE
Dalton Pompey will keep Stroman's number warm down in Arizona, as he has been assigned #6 for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League.
Bro I guess the team didn't get the memo cuz they have me your number out here in the fall league @MStrooo7 #awkwardpic.twitter.com/GuKsQx7Zin
— Dalton Pompey (@DaltonPompey) October 6, 2014Other Blue Jays on the Solar Sox include Dwight Smith Jr. (#13), Jon Berti (#4), Sean Ochinko (#11), Blake McFarland (#43), Sean Nolin (#37), Roberto Osuna (#59), and Arik Sikula (#49).