In sports, some jersey numbers mean more than just a number. In Pittsburgh, we have the number 21; most identify that number with the great one, Roberto Clemente. Although it isn’t retired, it is a hallowed number that will always be remembered and associated with Clemente. 

Here in Pittsburgh, we have another “hallowed” number, the number 69 (don’t say nice, don’t say nice.) The Pirates have had the blessing of featuring eight of the sixteen number 69s in MLB’s history. Below is a list of all the Pirates to don the “sacred” number 

List of “NICE” Pirates

Bronson Arroyo- pitched for the Pirates from 2000-2002 and had an ERA of 5.44 in 187.0 innings pitched.

Wilfredo Boscan- pitched in just six major league games in his professional career. In 2016, Boscan posted a 6.46 ERA in 15.1 innings pitched.

Eric Fryer- played in two separate stints with the Pirates. Fryer played for the Pirates from 2011-2012 in his first stint and then one more year in 2016 for his second stint while posting a .231 average while with Pittsburgh. Fryer donned 69 in 2011.

Jordy Mercer- played for the Pirates from 2011-2018, and during Mercer’s seven years, he posted a .256 average. Mercer wore the number 69 during his rookie season in 2012. 

John Nogowski- besides being Marcus Stroman’s nightmare, Nogowski was one of two Pirates in 2021 to wear the number 69. In his brief stint, Nogowski hit .261 in 111 at-bats.

Danny Ortiz- much like Boscan, Ortiz only played one season in the majors. Ortiz played in nine games in 2017 and had a .083 average in 12 at-bats.  

Troy Stokes Jr.- 2021 was Stokes’ first year in the majors, and for a brief time, he made some eye-popping plays. In 18 at-bats, Stokes Jr. managed a .111 batting average.

Beau Sulser- 2022- Sulser is the latest Pirate to wear the number 69. Sunday, April 24th, the Pirates called up Sulser, and he has yet to pitch a major league inning.