Category: Other

By David G. Firestone

Ok, so here is the back story on this column. During the red flag at the Coca Cola 600 a few weeks ago, I got bored and began to work on this. I thought I had accidentally erased it, but I just found it, figured it was something that was worth doing and I just got around to finishing the project. I recently purchased some of the most unique vintage MLB uniform numbers I had ever seen, and I did a lot of research on them. Here is what I found…

First the history on the design. From 1956 to 1958 the Washington Senators utilized what came to be known as the “3D” uniform. These jerseys featured a W and the back numbers in a 3D design. The design was scrapped after 1958, and very few original examples survive. As with most Major League Baseball uniforms, the 3D uniforms had the logos and numbers removed, and then they were sent down to the minor leagues. Somehow, a few of the numbers from the 1958 have survived, and I have them in my collection.

I have a total of four numbers from three uniforms. I have a 1 used by Eddie Yost, a 4 used by Ken Aspromonte and a 30 used by Whitey Herzog and Faye Throneberry. Though the numbers do show some material loss, they are all in good condition. These were pulled off Washington Senators flannel jerseys after the season of use.

First, let’s take a look at the Eddie Yost number. Eddie Yost was a third baseman who played from 1946 to 1962. He played for the Senators from 1946-1958, and was elected to the All-Star Game in 1952. During the 1958 season he wore this number one on the back of his Senators jersey.Taking a close-up look at the numbers, something unusual appears. The bottom red layer is tackle-twill, but the cream colored layer is the same flannel material as the jersey is made of. The blue layer on top is tackle-twill. The numbers actually have some weight to them. The back of the numbers is a solid piece of tackle-twill, with the outline of the stitching very visible.

Next to the number four that was worn by Ken Aspromonte, who was a second baseman that played from 1957 to 1966. During the 1958 season, he played for the Senators and wore this number 4 on his jersey.The number is in overall good condition, but it does have some small holes in it.

Now on to the number 30. With this number set, it becomes a bit more complicated, since two players wore #30 in 1958. The first was Whitey Herzog, a Hall-of-Fame outfielder who played with the Senators from 1956-1958. He left the Senators after being purchased by the Kansas City Athletics on May 14, 1958. He is one of two players to wear this number 30.Faye Throneberry played from 1952 to 1961, and played sporadically for the Senators from 1957 to 1960. He wore this number 30 in 1958 after Whitey Herzog was purchased by the Athletics. The two number set is in good condition, though the 0 shows some small holes. It is still an impressive set nonetheless.

I have never seen this number design anywhere else. I don’t even think that there are throwback jerseys with this design. So I felt it proper to analyze these number for all to enjoy.