As the Pittsburgh Pirates prepare for the 2026 season, seven players on the current roster have opted for new jersey numbers, a wave of changes headlined by a heartfelt tribute to a franchise legend.
The most noteworthy switch comes from infielder Nick Gonzales, who is changing from No. 39 to No. 3 out of respect for the late Hall of Famer Dave Parker. Parker, the 1978 National League MVP and a cornerstone of the Pirates’ 1979 World Series championship team, passed away in June 2025 and was posthumously inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame last August.
In July 2025, Gonzales publicly stated his belief that Parker’s number should be retired.
“If you’re in the Hall of Fame, I shouldn’t be wearing your number,” Gonzales told reporters after Parker passed away. “I won’t be wearing it anymore, so nobody else will”.
His voluntary number change is seen by many as a precursor to the team officially retiring No. 39, which would add Parker to a list of Pirates greats like Roberto Clemente (21) and Willie Stargell (8) who have received that honor.