When Garrett Crochet was traded to the Red Sox, he immediately knew he had to make a change.
Crochet wore No. 45 with the Chicago White Sox, No. 34 with Tennessee and No. 14 in high school. That’s a problem in Boston since those retired numbers were worn by Pedro Martinez, David Ortiz and Jim Rice, respectively.
It was a predicament Crochet knew he would run into. However, in a Zoom call Friday, the left-hander revealed he would wear No. 35 when he puts on a Red Sox uniform.
The last player to wear the number was Richard Bleier in 2023, and Eric Hosmer wore the number a year before him. Steven Wright wore No. 35 the longest from 2013-19, and some Red Sox fans might remember Rickey Henderson donning the jersey number in 2002.
Crochet admitted there was “relief” once the trade details were finalized, and the 25-year-old was excited to get to work in Boston. Crochet revealed he’s expected to meet pitching coach Andrew Bailey and other Red Sox staff members next week.
