In his late-season major league stint in 2025, Bryce Eldridge wore a forgettable number on his jersey: No. 78.
Now, on the Giants’ 40-man roster to begin spring training, Eldridge got to pick a number much easier on the eyes: No. 8.
The Virginia native explained to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic that his choice pays homage to his home and sports idols he grew up watching.
“Growing up in the D.C. area, I had season tickets to the [Washington] Capitals almost my whole life to this point,” Eldridge said. “I was a big [Alex] Ovechkin fan, and 8 has always kind of meant something to me and has always meant something to the D.M.V. area.”
The Capitals drafted Ovechkin with the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, four months before Eldridge was born in Fairfax, VA.
Ovechkin made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005, 15 days before Eldridge’s first birthday. The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer is currently in his 21st season in Washington and has cemented himself as a legend in both hockey and the D.M.V. area.
“He’s been there my whole life. So, 8 has always been an important number to me and my family, and my area,” the 20-year-old Eldridge explained.
There’s another star that dons No. 8 in the D.M.V. area that Eldridge is honoring with his choice.
“I’m a huge [Baltimore] Ravens fan too,” Eldridge shared. “So, Lamar Jackson, I’ve grown up watching him quarterback my team; I think he’s on year nine now.
“So, 8 has always been important to me and those are kind of my two sports idols outside of baseball.”
If the fact that the Giants’ top prospect wasn’t even born when Ovechkin was drafted didn’t make you feel old, maybe this will: Eldridge was just 13 when Jackson was drafted by the Ravens in 2018.
Eldridge now looks to make his own legacy wearing No. 8.
Giants fans will be more than happy if the prospect can make an impact in the Bay Area similar to what Ovechkin and Jackson have made in the D.M.V.
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