How Manny Ramirez Decided On #99

Everybody knows that Manny Ramirez is somewhat of a character. So after being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers it wasn't very surprising that Manny would do something like choose the number 99 to adorn the back of his jersey. The only question was why Ramirez would choose the number over anything else.

Well thankfully the mystery has been solved, as one of Manny's roommate and barber, L'Montro, tells us the tale behind the number .

"We were at Manny's house when the trade went down, and they're asking Manny what number he wanted," said L'Montro. "No. 24 was taken and No. 42 was not available. He was thinking No. 34 in honor of Big Papi, but that wasn't available. They text back a list: 28, 33, 50, 65, 94, 95, 96. So Manny turned to me and asked, 'You pick a number.'

"At first I thought No. 66 after Route 66, but then I said, 'Why don't you take my number?' I always wear No. 99. He said, 'OK, let's do it.' That's how Manny chose No. 99."

What a compelling story, full of twists and turns that leave the reader on the edge of his seat asking what happens next. Actually, no, that's not what I asked at all. What I want to know is why the hell does Manny have his barber living with him? When was the last time Manny got a haircut?

Well, at least Joe Torre knows who to talk to now. If L'Montro can convince Manny to wear 99, maybe he can talk him in to getting that hair cut.