Hi Nancy! First time reader, first time blogger...
the way i understand it, Snow's number is in homage to his dad's number... here's a link to a story from usatoady (yes, i realize the spelling...)...
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/redsox/2006-03-07-jt-snow-no-84_x.htm

and here's an excerpt from the article linked above for those too busy, too tired, too ___________, etc....

"The number on J.T. Snow's jersey sends a different message.

The first baseman, entering his 15th season in the majors but his first with the Boston Red Sox, doesn't worry about being sent down. He wears No. 84 to pay tribute to his late father, Jack, an All-America wide receiver at Notre Dame and a standout with the Los Angeles Rams from 1965-75.

While his father lay in Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis in early January, severely ill and unable to speak because of complications from a staph infection, Snow told him he would be wearing that No. 84.

His dad died a few days later. He was 62.

"I told him, and it brought a smile to his face," says Snow, who signed as a free agent with the Red Sox after spending the last nine seasons with the San Francisco Giants. "He is the reason I am here and I've played as long as I have. He meant everything to me."

The latter years of Snow's relationship with his father were among the best...."

Anyway, Nancy, i'm glad baseball is here again, too! more blurbs to follow...