Blue Jays’ Galvis switches jersey number to respect Jose Bautista

Newest shortstop Freddy Galvis explains why once he realized his jersey number was Jose Bautista’s old #19, he decided to change it to #16 out of respect for the Blue Jays’ great.

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Marco Scutaro is one of Freddy Galvis’s favourite players, so when he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, the slick-fielding Venezuelan decided to wear No. 19, the same number his countryman wore with the club during the 2008 and ’09 seasons.

The only problem? He didn’t realize it’s the same number Jose Bautista wore with the Blue Jays from 2010-17, something that came to his attention only a couple of days ago.

“Bautista did an amazing job with Toronto … I respect the guy and the job he did for Toronto and I decided not to use that number,” Galvis said Wednesday, after pitchers threw to hitters for the first time at camp. “For my part, I have to show some respect to him because he’s a really good player and just left that number.”

Galvis is now wearing 16, “a number doesn’t mean too much” to him right now.

Over six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and last year with the San Diego Padres, Galvis wore No. 13, which with the Blue Jays belongs to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Sometimes players orchestrate swaps to get the number they want, but in this case, “I just left it for (Gurriel),” he explained.

Bautista wore No. 23 during his first two seasons with the Blue Jays, in 2008-09, and then took over 19 once Scutaro left as a free agent. It’s the number he made famous while becoming a six-time all-star.

Other prominent Blue Jays to wear 19 include Fred McGriff and Paul Molitor.

The No. 16 was assigned to Galvis at random.

“It’s the name on (the front of) the shirt that means a lot to me,” he said, “so I’m good with whatever number they give me.”

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