"I have no problem with that. I hope he does well. I think it was a very nice move by the Tigers to acquire him. He’s a super player.

"He’s been a great player for a long period of time. But again, the number’s not retired. But just for [clubhouse manager] Jim [Schmakel] to call, it’s nice."

Gary Sheffield will wear number 3 as a Tiger. It’s Alan Trammell’s old number, of course, but it was never retired. Rather, it’s been one of those numbers that players have avoided over the years. Nobody wore it this year after Trammell was out as manager. Sheffield was in a tough spot, because the numbers he has worn during his career — 10 and 11 — are associated with the current manager and the winningest manager in franchise history, respectively.