Díaz looks to family when settling on new uniform number
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For the entirety of his Major League career, Edwin Díaz has worn No. 39 on his jersey. But when he signed with the Dodgers on a three-year, $69 million pact that has the highest average annual value for a reliever in history, he had to choose a new number.
The Dodgers retired No. 39 for Roy Campanella in 1972, one of the first retired numbers in franchise history alongside Jackie Robinson's No. 42 and Sandy Koufax's No. 32. While deciding on a new number, Díaz found a source of inspiration -- his sons.
When Díaz donned Dodgers blue for the first time on Friday in Los Angeles, he revealed his new No. 3 jersey. He and his wife talked it over, and he decided to choose the number in honor of his three sons.
"We got three kids, so that's the reason I picked No. 3, because of my three sons," Díaz told reporters on Friday. "I was hoping to get the No. 39, but after I checked, the number was retired. So they sent me the list of numbers. I think that was the most obvious [choice] for me."
The Dodgers were thrilled to sign Díaz, given his illustrious career credentials: 253 saves and a 2.82 ERA. Beyond those impressive numbers, they have an equal liking for the person they're getting.