In his late-season major league stint in 2025, Bryce Eldridge wore a forgettable number on his jersey: No. 78.Now, on the Giants’ 40-man roster to begin spring training, Eldridge got to pick a number much easier on the eyes: No. 8.The Virginia native explained to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic that his choice pays homage to his home and sports idols he grew up watching.“Growing up in the D.C. area, I had season tickets to the [Washington] Capitals almost my whole life to this point,” Eldridge said. “I was a big [Alex] Ovechkin fan, and 8 has always kind of meant something to me and has always meant something to the D.M.V. area.”The Capitals drafted Ovechkin with the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, four months before Eldridge was born in Fairfax, VA.Ovechkin made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2005, 15 days before Eldridge’s first birthday. The NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer is currently in his 21st season in Washington and has cemented himself as a legend in both hockey and the D.M.V....