LaTroy Would Rather Switch Than Fight

We were upset when we heard Morgan Ensberg was going to wear #21 in spring training, but we didn't lose any sleep over it. When Ensberg decided to switch to #11 and LaTroy Hawkins picked up #21 in a tribute to his idol, Roberto Clemente, we again didn't lose any sleep over it.

We're huge Paul O'Neill fans. He was our favorite player in the post-Don Mattingly era. We met him at a personal appearance and he was a genuinely nice guy. Signed our Paul O'Neill shirt, our Yankees yearbook, and took a photo with us. We think he deserves a day at the Stadium and possibly have his number retired.

That all being said, the Yankees fans behavior has been classless and boorish. To boo a guy for wearing a number of a beloved player is absurd. He may not have been as popular as Paulie, but we don't remember anyone booing Rubin Sierra for wearing #24 after Tino Martinez left.

Hawkins didn't help himself out any with a 6-run outing in early April. But the boos have had their effect. According to the Star-Ledger's Ed Price, Hawkins will be switching from #21 to #22. We only hope there is no fall out from fans of Roger Clemens or Jerry Mumphrey