Quote Originally Posted by MSpecht View Post
It looks like a case of "find / make a jersey that fits, 'cause we aren't ready for him."

Brunet was traded from the Washington Senators to the Pirates on 8/31/1970. Following his travel from Washington ( at home on 8/31) to Montreal (Pirates away game vs Expos on 9/1/1970 following a series in San Francisco,) Brunet pitched 1/3 inning against the Expos on the following day, 9/1/1970. He also threw 1/3 inning against the Expos on the next day, 9/2/1970. The game you saw is one of those two games, as the Pirates had only one more series against the Expos in 1970, in Pittsburgh 9/22/1970 (doubleheader) thru 9/24/1970. Brunet started the game on 9/23/1970, and did not play in the other games during that series.

Given the fact that # 4 was not assigned to any Pirate players that season (Baseball Almanac / Now Batting Number ...) the team likely had the extra jersey with them, or made it up quickly upon Brunet's arrival . He later switched to # 22, the third Pirate to wear that number in 1970.

Mike jackitout7@aol.com
Yeah, those things do happen once in a great while. Kent Bottenfield joined the Giants two days before the 1994 strike ended the MLB season, and had a road jersey with no name on back. I picked it up from Dick Dobbins in the 1995-96 off-season, based on his becoming a Cub in '96. Bottenfield went nuts in a positive way when he saw it...he wanted it for himself. I ended up trading it to him for a Cubs 1996 BP jersey he wore, and still have that #45 BP 13 years later.

Dave M.
Chicago area