In the beginning of the week, Tony Clark heard whispers that Travis Lee was coming to take his job as the Yankees’ backup first baseman. If that wasn’t bad enough, Clark will have the No. 13 removed from his Pinstriped back because Alex Rodriguez will wear it. Clark was assigned No. 13 after signing a one-year, non-guaranteed deal for $750,000.

A-Rod wore No. 3 in Texas, but that isn’t available in The Bronx because it was retired in honor of Babe Ruth. A-Rod worshipped Cal Ripken growing up, but his No. 8 is also tucked away in honor of Yogi Berra and Bill Dickey.

When David Wells requested No. 3 in 1997 and was denied, he opted for 33. But A-Rod has chosen to wear 13, proving he doesn’t believe in the number being bad luck.