Inside The Cubs

Cubs' Alex Bregman Reveals Reason Why He Chose The Number 3

Bregman's new jersey number has a lot more meaning than one would initially guess.
Maddy Dickens|
Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

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Chicago Cubs

The Alex Bregman news that broke the internet over the weekend has become official, with Bregman's introductory press conference for the Cubs taking place today.

This will be a fresh start for Bregman, and a new team means a new number. But why?

After wearing No. 2 for his entire career, Bregman has decided to switch to No. 3, as he is after his third world championship to add to his two with the Houston Astros in 2017 and 2022. Of course, Nico Hoerner already has the No. 2.

During his press conference, Bregman revealed why he chose the number 3, saying, "I wore number 3 because I wanted a 3rd championship."

Ice is running through this man's veins.

Bregman also said "I am a winning baseball player, focused on winning. In talking with Jed and Carter throughout this process, I know that the Cubs organization is focused on winning. I'm looking forward to doing that and winning a championship here."

Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell have to be extremely pleased to hear their third baseman's mindset. Bregman is ready to win and ready to win now, and with the roster that the Cubs have assembled this offseason, they look like they have a chance.

Bregman batting during the first inning of a game for the Red So
Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bregman's career accolades

Bregman has been on plenty of big stages and has stepped up when the pressure was on. He's played in nine consecutive postseasons, where he has an on-base percentage of .349 while slugging .442. And the rest of his accolades put him among some of the best in the league.

Alongside his two World Series wins, Bregman's also won a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, been a 3x All-Star and was the All-Star game MVP in 2019.

Last year with the Red Sox

His only season in Boston was somewhat derailed by a quad strain, which forced him to miss more than 45 games in 2025. However, that didn't keep him from making an impact when he was able to suit up.

Bregman led the Red Sox in OPS (.822) as the lone player to cross the .800 barrier (minimum 100 games). He slashed .273/.360/.462 with 18 home runs, 62 runs batted in, 28 doubles, and 118 hits, averaging more than one hit per game.

Chicago just secured a key piece to the success that it will find in 2026. The team is likely losing Kyle Tucker and his production, so replacing that was vital. Not only did they do that, but they found an elite defender and veteran leadership ready to help them win.

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Maddy Dickens
MADDY DICKENS

Maddy Dickens resides in Loveland, Colorado. She grew up with two older brothers, where their lives revolved around sports. She earned a master's degree in business management from Tarleton State University while simultaneously playing basketball and competing in rodeo at the collegiate level. She successfully parlayed a reserve national championship into a professional rodeo career and now stays involved in upper-level athletics by writing for On SI on several different MLB teams' pages, along with some NCAA sites.

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