Inspired by Major League's 'Wild Thing', Braves Pitcher Changes Number to 99

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider is changing his number from no. 65 to no. 99 for the 2023 Major League season and beyond. Strider was inspired by Charlie Sheen's character 'Wild Thing' Rick Vaughn in the 1989 classic baseball film 'Major League' centered around the Cleveland Indians.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider is changing his number from no. 65 to no. 99 for the 2023 Major League season and beyond.

According to USA today's Bob Nightengale, Strider was inspired by Charlie Sheen's character 'Wild Thing' Rick Vaughn in the 1989 classic baseball film 'Major League' centered around the Cleveland Indians.

In the film, Sheen's character receives the nickname 'Wild Thing' for his high velocity and spotty control. Strider topped out on a 102.4 mph fastball last summer. The hard-throwing 24-year-old finished second in National League Rookie of the Year voting behind teammate Michael Harris II, who won the Award. Both players signed long-term extensions to stay with the Braves in 2022.

Strider becomes the first Braves player to wear no. 99 in franchise history. He joins the ranks of Taijuan Walker, James Karinchak, Hyun Jin Ryu, Keynan Middleton, Aaron Judge, Jesus Aguilar and Yennier Cano, all of whom wore the number last season.

Strider hopes to follow up a remarkable rookie campaign in which he posted a 2.67 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 152 ERA+ in 31 appearances and 131.2 innings pitched. Strider started the season pitching out of the bullpen, making 11 relief appearances, before joining the Braves rotation, where he made 20 starts.

Strider will return to the Braves rotation in 2023, alongside Max Fried, Charlie Morton and Kyle Wright. Wright led Major League Baseball in wins a season ago, winning 21 games, while logging a 3.19 ERA.

The Braves have won the National League East for five straight years, and hope to take the division once again in 2023. Last season, the club won 101 games, the highest win total in a season for the Braves since 2003.

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