When pitching prospect Simeon Woods Richardson made his debut with the Minnesota Twins over the weekend, he inadvertently broke a unique Major League Baseball record.
With 15 letters between the two words that make up his surname, the 22-year-old now has the longest last name on the back of a jersey in league history.
Twins prospect Simeon Woods Richardson breaks Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s record for longest last name on an MLB jersey
The previous record belonged to Boston Red Sox catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, affectionately known as Salty. Sox fans will fondly recall how his last name arched across his back like St. Louis’ iconic monument.
On Sunday, the Twins gave fans a glimpse of the letters stretched around the 78 on the back of Woods Richardson’s first big-league jersey:
All 15 letters accounted for. pic.twitter.com/rZuA1yZQpi
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) October 2, 2022
Saltalamacchia made his debut with the Atlanta Braves on his birthday in 2007 but wasn’t even there for a full year. After 47 games, they dealt him to the Texas Rangers at the deadline as part of an enormous haul for Mark Teixeira.
During his time with the Rangers, he struggled through thoracic outlet syndrome and subsequent surgery, as well as back issues, shoulder inflammation, even the “yips.” Three years after he arrived in Texas at the deadline, they sent him to Boston. He had to overcome more ailments and thumb surgery but eventually became the everyday catcher when Jason Varitek retired. In 2013, he had a career year and helped Boston take home a much-needed championship in the wake of the Marathon Bombing. At the World Series parade, he and Jonny Gomes brought the trophy and a pair of ‘Boston 617 Strong’ jerseys to the marathon finish line on Boylston Street, a beautiful symbol of reclamation.
Presently, Woods Richardson is the Twins’ No. 6 prospect and previously ranked in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100. Minnesota acquired him from Toronto in the José Berrios trade. Over 23 games (22 starts) and 107 1/3 innings across Double- and Triple-A this year, the righty posted a 2.77 ERA and struck out 115 batters. In his debut, he went five innings, struck out three, issued a pair of walks, and allowed two earned runs, picking up the first loss of what will hopefully be a long and fruitful career.
The Twins prospect also has a connection with the current Sox team. Last summer, he and Triston Casas were among the young stars who represented the United States in the Tokyo Olympics.
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