@staticmethod
def numerize(item):
    """Converts an item to a numeric value. Falls back to strings.
        
        >>> Parser.numerize(3)
        3
        >>> Parser.numerize("  3   ")
        3
        >>> Parser.numerize("55.57")
        55.57
        >>> Parser.numerize("Million")
        'Million'
        """
    try:
        return int(item)
    except ValueError:
        try:
            return float(item)
        except ValueError:
            return item
