What’s in a number? Austin Allen’s surge could help us find out 

After a dismal start to the season at the plate, Austin Allen wanted to revamp his approach, starting with the number he wore on his back.

After batting .091 over his first 55 plate appearances this year, Allen made the unconventional midseason number switch to No. 25.

“I was just running into tough luck hitting the ball hard just right at people,” said Allen. “I just figured change something and 25 was available so I figured change that.”

Since swapping, Allen is slashing .328/.423/.705 in 61 plate appearances over 18 games.

Allen has donned many numbers throughout his career, including 30, 62, 23, 34 and now returns to 25. Allen had also previously had success while wearing 25 with Triple-A Las Vegas in 2021. Throughout Allen’s time in Jacksonville, he initially elected to wear the No. 34.

“I’ve worn a few numbers and I’ve always tried to get 25 mixed in there somehow,” said Allen. “That was my wife’s number growing up and in college so there is that significance, of course. She played soccer, so there is always just a little bit of that luck.”

The number 25 was available when Allen was picking his number, yet Allen initially chose to wear No. 34.

“It’s funny my wife asked me the same question,” said Allen. “I like No. 34. I have worn it before, and it was the first number I saw. Obviously, I wish I had started the season with No. 25, my numbers may have looked a bit better but it’s all good. I’m happy with where I am at and just need to continue to keep putting together some good at bats.”

In addition to Allen’s wife being his inspiration for the new number, the number 25 has mathematically been interpreted as a lucky number. The tipping point of 25’s luck stems from it being a perfect square. There are many fascinating mathematical axioms the number 25 fits into, including being a perfect square with vertical symmetry.

“Yeah, I do think about it, you know,” said Allen “2+5=7 you know things like that, with that little luck thing behind it.”

Allen would not call himself superstitious, even though he does believe there is something special about the number 25.

“No, I would not say superstitious, but I would say there is definitely something to it for sure. I like playing craps, so there is a little superstition with those numbers. But in baseball, I would say no, the season is too long to be superstitious about too many things.”

In baseball, the number 25 possesses an intriguing history. Back when numbers were traditionally designated for specific types of players on each team, the No. 25 would be reserved for the best slugger; former players to wear the number include Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire. Perhaps, then, it is no coincidence that Allen has led Jacksonville with 12 RBIs and six home runs since the switch on May 1.

Since the number change, Allen has topped all his personal season offensive records. Allen himself attributes the performance change to his new number.

“Absolutely, for sure, sometimes all it takes is a little switch of something,” said Allen. “Sometimes you adjust something on the field and sometimes it is something off the field. So, I mean, I would not say I am superstitious, but I am not superstitious when it comes to things like that. But I do believe when it comes to things like that the universe kind of figures itself out.”

Superstitious or not, it is easy to see that Austin Allen's season changed around as No. 25. What's in a number? Nobody's sure, but we are slowly finding out.