"RYU" 99 times upside down, number 66 → Special meaning in the number chosen by Ponce

*This content was translated by AI.

The uniform number is bound to represent the identity of the player. Pitcher Cody Ponce (32), who has newly joined the mound of the Toronto Blue Jays since the 2026 season, is drawing fans' attention by choosing "66" as the number to be inscribed on his back. I didn't just pick a spare number. It is said to contain the meaning of respect for Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha Eagles), who was his mentor and idol.

According to Mitch Bannon, a reporter in charge of the Toronto club for The Athletic, a U.S. sports media outlet, on the 18th (Korea time), Ponce chose 66 as his 2026 season number. He wore 30 times in Hanwha in the last 2025 season, but he seems to have not chosen because his main catcher Alejandro Kirk (28) was wearing it.

Ponce's choice of number in the 2025 and 2026 seasons is said to contain his extraordinary love of "Star Wars." When he played in the Korean professional baseball (KBO) league in the past, Ponce kept the mound wearing No. 30, reminiscent of the character "C3P0" in Star Wars, combining his initials (CP) and No. 30.

The 66th, which was chosen this time, is also said to have been conceived from "Order 66," a decisive event in the world view of Star Wars. It seems to be a result of his theory that he usually wants to show a strong force on the mound.

It's not just about the taste of movies. The number 66 is also a 180-degree reversal of the number 99 of Ryu Hyun-jin, his idol who played for the Toronto Blue Jays. Ponce is well known as "Ryu Hyun-jin's Baragi," who closely watched his sophisticated control and game management skills while sharing a team with Ryu Hyun-jin in the 2025 season. He even bought Ryu Hyun-jin's Toronto-era uniform separately and took the mound in the KBO League All-Star Game.

According to local media, Ponce is steadily digesting his spring camp. According to The Athletic, Ponce is expected to start the season as the fourth starter. Shane Bieber, the "one-two-punch ace," is on the injured list, and Eric Lauer, a former KIA Tigers player, is predicting that he will face the season in the bullpen first. If one of the starting pitchers gets off, Lauer is said to be the number one to enter the rotation.

Toronto lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers with 3 wins and 4 losses in the World Series in the 2025 season and had to turn away from the top threshold. Toronto, which has deepened its thirst for victory, has strengthened its power by transfusing a large number of key resources from Tuta, including Ponce and Japanese powerhouse Kazuma Okamoto. It is also curious whether Ponce, who mentioned the meaning of his number containing his idol Ryu Hyun-jin, will be able to lead Toronto to the World Series once again with No. 66.

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*This content was translated by AI.