Pirates Pitcher Beau Sulser Doesn’t Mind Keeping the NICE Tradition Alive

Everyone has traditions, whether it’s putting your left shoe on before your right or vice versa. The Pittsburgh Pirates have a tradition of sorts, and it comes from clubhouse manager Scott Bonnett or “Bones,” as he is lovingly known. The number 69 is near and dear to Bonnett, and the past three or four rookies had gotten the number when they got the call-up.

The latest rookie to get the number 69 is right-handed pitcher Beau Sulser. The most recent guys to wear the number were outfielder Troy Stokes Jr and first baseman, John Nogowski. Although we couldn’t catch up with Bonnett, we got Sulser for a few minutes.

“I didn’t get to choose my number; it’s just what they gave me,” said Sulser. When I was in spring training, that was the number given to me, but the clubby, Bones, has a streak going. I think the last four or five guys in a row who got called up to the big leagues got that number. It’s a streak that I’m happy to keep alive.”

Traditions are what make life and the game of baseball fun, and Sulser was more than happy to have a little fun and don the very “NICE” number. During his short time in the Majors, Sulser has pitched in 4.2 innings, struck out five, walked four, and given up no runs.

Sulser was traditionally a starter in Triple-A, but since he got the call-up, he’s worked strictly out of the pen in a long-man or “Wil Crowe” type role. With the roster crunch supposed to happen Monday, it would make sense that Sulser gets optioned back down, but if he doesn’t, he has one hell of a story to tell his grandkids one day.