Route 66
In a comment on last Sunday’s yesterday’s game, Ken Leeds asks:
On a much more trivial note, how weird was it to see two starters who both wear #66? It’s such an unusual uniform number for anything outside of Spring Training.
I will answer that, Ken, and more besides.
As Bref documents, 156 different players have worn #66. Most of these are fairly recent; Joe Cascarella first wore 66 while playing for the Red Sox in 1935. and Gerry Staley compiled 18.8 WAR for the White Sox in the late 50s and early 60s wearing #66. As you can see there, Tanner Scott holds the record for most teams on which he wore 66, with four and counting. Many players wore 66 for one team, and not for subsequent teams, like Bryse Wilson, who wore three different numbers for the Braves and other numbers for the other teams he played with.
1981 was the first year that saw two players wearing 66: the Yankee’s Steve Balboni and the Expo’s Bryn Smith. There was no interleague play then, though, So the first time two 66s had a t least a chance of playing in the same game was 1992, when Doug Davis played for the Rangers and Juan Guzmán was in his second year playing for the Blue Jays. But the high water mark was last year, when no fewer than 24 players wore #66.
Now for the interesting part, though I accept that everyone doesn’t have the same definition of interesting. Using this list, we can find all examples where: (a) two starters wore #66 (Ken’s original question) and (b) One #66 pitched to another #66
First, Bello vs. Holmes was the second time two #66s faced off as starting pitchers. The other time was this game in which Aaron Civale squared off against José Ruiz, with Civale taking the loss and Ruiz getting a no-decision.
And here are the pitcher-batter matchups before this year:
Because I was pressed into covering this game at the last minute, I wasn’t able to add the batter-pitcher matchups for this year, which requires combing through a different database. I’ll follow up if there’s anything interesting. Other than the Holmes-Bello matchup, there are no other such matchups so far this year. That’s because the only position player wearing 66 so far this year is Omar Martinez, and he only has three at-bats. Of the pitchers, the only 66 starters other than Bello (7 starts) and Holmes (9 starts) is Cody Ponce (1 start). There you go Ken.
The Game
Started, had some bad moments, particularly for Aaron Bummer, and ended. Another game tomorrow.
I didn’t see this one (& am kinda glad), but I’m a little surprised that RAJ didn’t get to pinch-hit in the top of the 9th. If you’re not going to play him in the OF because of the turf, that’s fine, but if he’s not going to hit either, even in a meaningless situation that could help him get back in action (like a micro-rehab stint but against MLB pitching), then why have him on the roster?
I thought the same thing. At that point, Ronald was goofing around with people and Weiss might have been concerned he wouldn’t take it seriously.
I seem to remember Steve Balboni’s nickname as being Boom Boom, but Wikipedia says it was Bye Bye.
Boom Boom was first Flames coach Geoffrion. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/steve-balboni/
Victor Mederos is getting called up for an extra bullpen arm. No word yet on the corresponding move yet, but my guess is Ritchie optioned unless they found a way to IL or DFA Bummer.
I don’t think McGuirk is going to let them DFA Bummer.
Prior to the 2024 season, AA made two complex, 4D chess-like trades to pare down our roster and acquire two buy-low players: Aaron Bummer and Jarred Kelenic. Those two are the most maligned Braves of the decade. Bummer unfortunately was just good enough to get himself a short extension.
I think you’re right that Kelenic and Bummer have been the most maligned Braves of the decade. Kelenic deserved all of the opprobrium directed his way. OTOH, I always thought that Bummer got something of a bum rap (sorry); he’s mostly been a serviceable reliever. But this season. culminating in last night’s performance, has shown that he should no longer be on the roster–no matter how much he is making. I’ve got to believe that he does have some sort of arm issue, which is why I suspect an IL stint will be announced to make room on the roster for someone who can be at least be a meh guy in non-leverage situation.
I think Bummer has seen a steady decline in velocity over the past 3 seasons and with it a decline in K/9 from 12 -> 11 -> 8.4 -> 7.5. And this tracks with typical pitcher peak at 27-29 and decline thereafter as he is pushing the ripe old age of 33. He was never a blow you away guy but he was missing a lot more bats in his first season with us. His whiff % dropped from a very nice 33% to a Presbyterian 23% over that span. Actually we should save that term for Elder since that’s what Presbyterian means. Has anyone called him that?
New nickname for Elder! That needs to stick.
I suppose no one has ever worn “666” on their jersey, but it would be appropriate for Don Mattingly.
Baldwin to the IL with an oblique strain, Tromp recalled. Bummer released, Dodd recalled, Ritchie optioned.
Yeesh, talk about good news/bad news.
Acuña having to DH until he can play the field also means we can’t get Dom Smith into the lineup.
A sentence I did not expect to read in 2026.
Baldwin injury sucks big time; not afraid to call him out best and most consistent hitter this year.
Losing Drake to the IL feels like a real blow. I notice that he has literally played every single game this year, either as the catcher or as the DH, without a single day off. I wonder whether an off day might have helped. Well, he’ll get a breather now, and we’re down to just Tromp and Leon, as Murphy’s latest injury prevents him from getting a chance to finally make a real contribution to the team for the first time in a long while.
Note: as far as I can tell, Bummer wasn’t DFAd but straight up released.
Releasing Bummer unfortunately means we can’t trade him to get Langeliers back… or William Contreras. Tyler Flowers is in the front office. Maybe they’ll suit him up.
I wonder if Bummer could get Corky Miller out?
Apparently, the Mets are signing Bummer to a minor-league contract.
Braves still on the hook for the rest of his $9.5 M owed for ’26.
BTW, it’s a 4:10 start today.
Glad you reminded me about the early start. I’ve got recap duty. Usually goes better when I actually watch the game.
Tough day with the Drake news. Here’s something to cheer you up:
Greg Maddux One of a Kind Full Documentary. MLB Baseball Hall Of Fame Greg Maddux’s Journey.
A great piece to watch.
Go Braves.
Austin, you can’t swing and miss a hanging slider with men on base.
I think Kim is now 1 for 20.
Kim’s had a rough start at bat & in the field so far.
Seems like half our guys are wearing iron gloves in this series so far.
EDIT: This LHP ain’t exactly fooling Olson or MHII.
Fill in the blank: Ha-Seong Kim is the ___th best shortstop in the Braves system right now.
Edit – When Acuna returns to the field, I could see Dubon in LF against lefties and SS against righties, in effect platooning Kim and Yaz.
It’s always Mauricio Dubón…
Weird play, but he put it in play & helped us break thru w/ a big inning.
Hey, Kim got a hit! Another one of those in the next couple games and he might get his average above .100. I shoulda ragged on him earlier.
Meanwhile, the Mets were up 5-0 vs the Nats and gave up a 2-out inside-the-park grand slam to James Wood. Both outfielders hit the wall and then just looked at each other, lol.
Recapped