Fowler to wear No. 25 with Cardinals to honor mentor Bonds

Dexter Fowler is officially a member of the St. Louis Cardinals and was introduced at a press conference on Friday morning after signing a five-year, $82.5-million contract.

When Fowler steps to the plate as the presumed leadoff hitter atop the Cardinals' lineup on April 2 against his former team, the Chicago Cubs, the 30-year-old will be wearing a new number.

Fowler, who wore No. 24 for five seasons as a member of the Colorado Rockies as well as last season for the Cubs, will instead wear No. 25 for the Cardinals as a way to honor his mentor, Barry Bonds, who has helped him with his hitting approach since 2013.

The No. 24 was retired by the Cardinals in 2010 in honor of Whitey Herzog.