Scooter Gennett: I didn’t ask for No. 4

Zach Buchanan | Cincinnati Enquirer

For nearly all of spring training, the Cincinnati Reds left Brandon Phillips’ No. 4 unclaimed. Even as the Reds prepped to head north from Arizona, they had not issued No. 4 to a player projected to make the team and move up from a non-roster number north of 60. Even Jay Bruce’s No. 32 was budgeted for someone first, held for Rule 5 catcher Stuart Turner.

But then the Reds made a waiver claim for infielder Scooter Gennett, and he was issued No. 4. On his return to Great American Ball Park on Friday, Phillips said he was insulted that the Reds had given out his old number so quickly. After the Reds’ 10-inning win later in the night, Gennett made it clear that No. 4 was not something he asked to wear.

Related: Brandon Phillips: Reds giving away No. 4 'a slap in the face'

“When I came over, I didn’t expect to get that number,” Gennett said. “It wasn’t something that I picked. But unfortunately, that was my only option, what I was told.”

Gennett said he spent about a month trying to change off of No. 4 out of respect for Phillips, but found the process to be too onerous. In the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Major League Baseball and the players union, players are prohibited from changing jersey numbers after a season begins (unless, of course, they change teams.)

The only exception to that rule is if a “Player (or someone on his behalf) purchases the existing finished goods inventory of the apparel containing the Player’s jersey number that is held on hand by the then-current authorized apparel licensee(s).”

“It’s kind of crazy,” Gennett said. “You think you have the ability to switch, but they make so many jerseys in the team shop to where I would have to pay for all those jerseys. I just don’t have that available cash to be able to do that.”

Gennett expressed nothing but understanding for Phillips’ frustration. Gennett was born in Cincinnati and came up in the National League Central with the Milwaukee Brewers, and is fully aware of Phillips’ career accomplishments. He also knows by heart several of the other jersey numbers retired by the Reds already.

Next season, he’ll be able to switch to a different number, provided he informs the league by July 31 of this year. What becomes of No. 4 will be out of Gennett’s hands at that point, and he’ll be happy to not feel like he’s slighting another accomplished ballplayer.

“I think he’s got a right to feel that way,” Gennett said of Phillips. “It sucks that I’m the one that’s wearing it, because I respect everything he’s done in his career and for the Reds. But it is what it is. I can’t do anything about it.”

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