Sox Notes: Bronx Bartering
After talking, Renteria and Wells trade uniform numbers
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
May 30, 2005
NEW YORK -- While the big trades will be saved for general manager Theo Epstein, a couple of Red Sox players did some dealing of their own following Saturday's game against the Yankees.
The result had Edgar Renteria wearing No. 3 for Sunday night's game at Yankee Stadium while starting pitcher David Wells donned No. 16.
Renteria wore 16 during his rookie year with the Marlins, but had worn 3 the last eight seasons. But it was unavailable to him upon joining the Sox because Wells, who signed three days earlier, had already claimed it in honor of his idol Babe Ruth.
Of course, Wells has worn 33 for most of his career, but that number belongs to Sox captain Jason Varitek.
Neither player could complain about the swap given the events of Sunday night. Wells turned in a strong performance, holding the Yankees to two runs over 8 1/3 innings in a 7-2 victory for the Sox. And Renteria completed his torrid road trip (16-for-24) by going 4-for-5.
The players discussed switching numbers a while back, when both were struggling mightily.
"I was going bad, Edgar was going bad. Edgar, he wanted to do a swap," said Wells. "I wrote a number down and that was it."
Though Renteria's wallet was a little lighter after the exchange with Wells, he was happy to reclaim his old number.
"We were thinking about doing it three or four days ago," said Renteria. "He told me, 'Let's change the numbers.' I said, 'All right.' That's my favorite number, No. 3. That's my lucky number."
It was, after all, the number Renteria was wearing when he struck the World Series-winning hit for the Marlins in Game 7 against Cleveland in 1997. And the number he wore for all four of his All-Star seasons, not to mention his two Gold Gloves.
How much did Renteria pay Wells for No. 3?
"A lot," said a smiling Renteria.
Red Sox equipment manager Joe Cochran made sure the trade took place in a timely manner.
"We sent them out last night," said Cochran. "There's a seamstress in every city."
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