NEW YORK -- It has become commonplace these days for a superstar player to ask for -- or to buy -- his favorite uniform number from a new teammate upon joining a new club.

When David Wells returned to the Yankees in 2002, he bought No. 33 from Alfonso Soriano. When Orlando Hernandez signed back with New York last spring, Jon Lieber was more than happy to hand over El Duque's No. 26, which he wore in his first stint with the Yankees.

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But when Randy Johnson officially joined the Yankees, he wasn't as lucky as Wells or Hernandez. Johnson's No. 51, which he had worn throughout his entire career with Montreal, Seattle, Houston and Arizona, was not available to him in his new pinstriped uniform.

That number belongs to Bernie Williams, the Yankees' senior member and longtime center fielder. Williams, who has worn No. 51 since his rookie season of 1991, could end up having his number retired along side those of DiMaggio and Mantle, so he wasn't about to give it up to the Big Unit.

That left Johnson with the decision of what number to wear. The choice? He'll wear No. 41, which belonged to Miguel Cairo last season and Sterling Hitchcock before that.

In other number news, Tino Martinez will take back No. 24, which he wore from 1996-2001, from Ruben Sierra, who was more than happy to give the number to the first baseman. Sierra has not been assigned a number yet.