Why did the Dodgers give Manny Ramirez #99?

Number 24 was already formally retired by the Dodgers' legendary manager Walter Alston, and he also wanted 34, but even that was unofficially "retired" by Fernando Valenzuela. He turned down offers of 28, 66, and 11 to use 99. Yeah, 99 does sound like something that Manny being Manny would do.