It’s A Long Way From Long Branch To Aruba
Posted by Steve L. on July 21st, 2006 · Comments (3)
The other night, watching Sidney Ponson pitch for the first time in the pinstripes, his number caught my eye. And, I wondered, who was the last Yankees pitcher to wear #24?
I guessed “Mike Torrez in 1977.” But, after checking with “Now Batting, Number… The Mystique, Superstition, and Lore of Baseball’s Uniform Numbers,” I found that there was someone after Torrez and before Ponson:
John “The Count” Montefusco wore #24 for the Yankees from 1983 through 1984. (He switched to # 26 for 1985 and 1986.)
There’s an Applebee’s in Tinton Falls (NJ) that has pictures of Montefusco up on the wall – showing him back when he was playing at Brookdale Community College.
There’s probably a few eating joints out there with Ponson’s picture on the wall too.
Don’t you mean drinking joints?
Long time reader, first time commenter. Great job with the blog, I’m always educated and entertained.
This post excited me because Montefusco minus the ‘monte’ makes ‘Fusco’, which is my last name. You’ve got to love the obscure Yankees connections.
Hey, a first-time, long-timer! Thanks for the post. Always good to hear from you guys!