Expert: Ken Fougère - 12/23/2010

Question
QUESTION: Babe Ruth helped the Red Sox win 3 World Series but his #3 has not
been retired by the Red Sox.The "bitter rivalry" is probably the reason for this but has there ever been any attempt to honor the
Bambino in this fashion and has any other Boston player ever worn
#3 since Ruth? PS I'm a Tiger fan so I hate the Yankees too!

ANSWER: The reason is that numbers weren't used on uniforms until the 1920's, well after he was sold to the Yankees. That's also why Cy Young has not been so honored.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the quick response to my original question.I realized after I
sent it that the Yankees started uniform numbers in MLB in the 20's after the Ruth trade and also found that the Red Sox only retire #s of
HOF members who played at least 10 yrs. for Boston.I still would like to know if any Red Sox ever wore #3.
Also,I would like to know how the late Walt Dropo injured his wrist in 1951 which affected his hitting for the rest of his career after his great rookie season in 1950.I remember when he played for the Tigers.
Happy Holidays to Red Sox Nation.

Answer
I researched Walt Dropo's injured wrist in all the baseball almanacs and I'm sorry but the source of his injury was never mentioned. There's way too many Red Sox players that wore #3 to name. Sorry.

If Beckett can pitch like I hope he still can, I predict the Sox win the AL East by 5-6 games, barring another injury riddled season like 2010.

Merry Christmas to you and all of Red Sox Nation!