Syndergaard Wants to Wear the #34

Noah Syndergaard was answering questions on Twitter earlier under the @MLBFutures account and he replied to one of mine.

@jwil25 .34 #AskFutures
— Futures Game (@MLBFutures) January 29, 2014

Shortly after, Adam Rubin tweeted this:

Noah Syndergaard would like to wear No. 34 with Mets. That's been recently worn by Mike Pelfrey, Jorge Julio, Kris Benson, Ricky Bottalico.
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinESPN) January 29, 2014

Now, my first thought was not a good group to follow up for various reasons. Pelfrey was supposed to be a mainstay in the rotation for years to come but injuries and inconsistencies ended his tenure. And outside of Kris Benson and his hot and psychotic wife who is facing jail time the rest aren't worth the keystrokes.

I was having a good conversation with fellow blogger Tom @GetsThruBuckner and he immediately thinks this is a bad idea and the number could be cursed. My take was somewhat similar but yet I started thinking that maybe this kid is that good mentally and the number doesn't mean anything to him. Especially when considering those who have worn it in the past. Then Rubin tweeted out a list of every Met who has worn the number 34 and one glaringly stuck out at me. Nolan Ryan.

I don't think there has been much posted out in the Mets universe about who Syndergaard models himself after. At least I haven't seen anything lately. But, if that is his reasoning for wanting that number than to me that is flat out guts and determination to be the best. Now, his choice of that number is all speculation on my part but either way it is fun to see a pitcher who appears to have a bright future pick a number with some history. Good and bad.