The Hall of Fame of Uniform Numbers

[frankbmd]

I may regret this, but below is a list from 0 to 99. For each number you may nominate a player as the greatest player, in any sport, to wear that number. Obviously more than one player may be nominated for any given number. And obviously like the numerous "who should or shouldn't be in the Hall of Fame?" threads there will not be a consensus. When two or more names appear beside a number, you may indicate your preference for one or the other. Votes for players with that number will be added next to their name. If one player receives 75% of the vote after 10 or more votes, the other players with that number will be deleted. When voting for a given player, please vote only once and no dead voters will be counted. All edits will be recorded in this post so there is no need to copy and paste the list yourself. I'll put in just a few nominations to begin with, some of the easy ones, I think. I will update the list no more frequently than once a week on Sunday evening after today, so your nominations will not appear immediately. I will edit today's responses periodically today this evening. Rules may need to be modified depending on how this goes, but any modifications will be added here in the first post. Thanks in advance for your participation, I think.

Midcourse correction -

Multiple numbers for the same player will not be permitted. The number most identified with the player during the bulk of his career will be used. Michael Jordan will be 23 and not 45 for example. And if Moe Berg wore pi during his career at Princeton, I don't care.

Numbers followed by I think will not be recorded. I'm not going to look them up, you can.

I expected a brisk response, but this isn't going to last forever. (I've already done that.) Once the list is sufficiently populated. There be a daily Tribal Council by the number to select the Survivor at each level. Once a player has been determined to be the Survivor, his name will be changed to ALL CAPS and further activity for that number will cease. The order of the daily Tribal Councils may not be sequential, but the number of the day's vote will be posted here.

If we are to continue, remember the goal here is to identify the "best" player at each number. Lists of numbers for all players and all years are readily available on the internet and will not be added to the list simply because they are accurate. Some of the names already added will also be removed. For example, the discussion for number 9 is a legitimate one between Ted Williams and Gordie Howe. Adding a third name to this discussion should be difficult. Would anybody consider adding Benny Bengough or even Roger Maris in this discussion?
Thanks to all. I'm going to try to limit the discussion to three players per number. If you want to add a fourth player, you must explain why he should replace one of the existing three.
Fair enough? I think so. Carry on.

Presumptive leaders either by vote or by my editorial decision have now been capitalized, but are subject to change. Bribes accepted.

I guarantee that the following list is more accurate than any TPG Pop Report.



OO Robert Parrish -1 Omar Olivares -1 Jim OTTO -2
I/8 Eddie GAEDEL -1
1 Earle Combs -1 Jacques Plante -1 Oscar ROBERTSON -2
2 Derek JETER -2 Tim Horton -1 Charlie Gehringer -1
3 Babe RUTH -4 Killebrew -2
4 Bobby ORR -4 Lou Gehrig -2 Duke Snider -1
5 Joe DiMaggio -2 Johnny Bench -2 Nick LIDSTROM -3
6 Bill RUSSELL -2 Stan Musal -1 Tony Oliva -1
7 Mickey MANTLE -4 Ted Lindsay -1 John Elway -1
8 Yogi BERRA -3 Cal Ripken -1 Yaz -1
9 Ted WILLIAMS -3 Gordie Howe -2
10 PELE -2 Fran Tarkenton -1
11 Mark MESSIER -1 Barry Larkin -1 Luis Aparicio -1
12 Joe Namath -1 Tom BRADY -1 Terry Bradshaw -1
13 Wilt CHAMBERLAIN -2 Dan Marino -1 Alex Rodriguez -1
14 Pete ROSE -1 Ernie Banks -1
15 Bart STARR -1 Thurman Munson -1
16 Joe MONTANA -1 Whitey Ford -1 Marcel Dionne -1
17 Dizzy DEAN -1 Cool Papa Bell -1
18 Peyton MANNING -1 Dave Cowens -1
19 John UNITAS -3 Steve Yzerman -3 Tony Gwynn -1
20 Barry Sanders -2 Mike SCHMIDT -1 Frank Robinson -1
21 Roberto CLEMENTE -3 Warren Spahn -1 Roger Clemens -1
22 Mike BOSSY -2 Emmitt Smith -2 Elgion Baylor -1
23 Michael JORDAN -4
24 Willie MAYS -3 Griffey Jr -1 Rickey Henderson -1
25 Jim THOME -1 Barry or Bobby Bonds -1
26 Rod Woodson -1 Wade BOGGS -1
27 Frank Mahovlich -1 Juan MARICHAL -1 Carlton Fisk -1
28 Bert BLYLEVEN -1
29 Rod Carew -2 Satchel PAIGE -1 John Smoltz -1
30 Marty BRODEUR -1
31 Greg MADDUX -1 Dave Winfield -1
32 Jim BROWN -2 Sandy Koufax -1 Magic Johnson -1
33 Larry BIRD -2 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar -1 Sammy Baugh -1
34 Walter PAYTON -2 Nolan Ryan -1 Hakeem Olajuwon -1
35 Frank THOMAS -1
36 Robin ROBERTS -1 Johnny Mize -1
37 Casey STENGEL -2
38 Steve CARLTON -2 Ray Dandridge -1
39 Roy CAMPANELLA -1 Dominick Hasek -1 Larry Csonka -1
40 Gale SAYERS -1
41 Tom SEAVER -1
42 Jackie ROBINSON -2 Mariano Rivera -1
43 Richard Petty -1 Dennis ECKERSLY -1
44 Hank Louis AARON -2 Jerry West -1 Reggie Jackson -1
45 Bob GIBSON -2
46 Andy PETTITTE -1
47 Tom GLAVINE -1 Mel Blount -1
48 Rick REUSCHEL -1
49 Ron GUIDRY -2 Bobby Mitchell -1
50 David ROBINSON -1 Mike Singletary -1
51 Dick BUTKUS -2
52 Ray LEWIS -1 Mike Webster -1
53 Don DRYSDALE -2
54 Goos GOSSAGE -1 Randy White -1
55 Orel HERSHISER -1
56 Lawrence TAYLOR -1 Jim Bouton -1
57 Johan Santana -1
58 Derrick Thomas -1 Jack Lambert -1
59 Jack Ham -1
60 Chuck Bednarik -1 Otto GRAHAM -1
61 Bill George -1
62 Jim Langer -1
63 Willie Lanier -1
64 Jerry Kramer -1 Randall McDaniel -1
65
66 Mario LEMIEUX -3 Ray Nitschke -1
67 Kent Hull -1
68 Jaromir JAGR -2
69 El Guapo -1
70 Art Donovan -1 Sam Huff -1 Tom Sestak -1
71 Evgeni Malkin -1
72 Carlton Fisk -1 Ron McDole -1
73 John Hannah -1 Larry Allen -1
74 Bob Lilly -2 Merlin Olsen -2
75 Forrest Gregg -1 Deacon JONES -2 Joe Greene -1
76 Lou GROZA -1
77 Ray Bourque -2 Phil Esposito -2 Red GRANGE -1
78 Anthony Munoz -1 Bruce Smith -1 Bobby Bell -1
79
80 Jerry RICE -1
81 Art Monk -1 Terrell Owens -1
82 John Stallworth -1 Ray Berry -1
83 Andre Reed -2
84 Randy Moss -1 Sterling Sharpe -1
85 Jack Youngblood -2
86 Buck Buchanan -1
87 Sidney CROSBY -2
88 Lynn Swann -2 Eric Lindros -1 Alan Page -1
89 Mike DITKA -1 Steve Tasker -1
90 Julius Peppers -1 Neil Smith -1
91 Sergei FEDOROV -2
92 Reggie WHITE -2
93 Doug GILMOUR -1
94 Charles Haley -1
95 Richard Dent -2
96 Tomas Holmstrom -1
97 Cornelius BENNETT -1
98
99 Wayne GRETZKY -4 George Mikan -1
254 Bob BEAMON -2

[TUM301]

O K , sounds like fun here`s a few nominations
4- Bobby Orr 6- Bill Russell 9-Teddy Ballgame 13- Wilt.
On a side note, # 44 will be a shoot out with many excellent candidates.

[Kenny Cole]

Sandy Koufax -- 32; Michael Jordan -- 23

[RGold]

What, no #1/8?

[sayhey24]

As great as Koufax was, #32 has to be Jim Brown.

Greg

[Mikehealer]

5-George Brett
20-Barry Sanders
33-Larry Bird

[the 'stache]

Fun topic, Frank. Here are a few more to get us started.

#4 Brett Favre-a toughie for me, because one of the game's great players, Paul Molitor, also wore #4 on his way to 3,319 hits. And there was this named Gehrig that could easily be my top choice.

#5 Joe DiMaggio-56 game hitting streak is the greatest individual accomplishment in the history of American sports. Albert Pujols has been great, but Joe D was a legend.

#7 Mickey Mantle-the Mick could do it all.

#9 Ted Williams-the greatest hitter of all time beats out the incomparable Gordie Howe, and the greatest American hockey player, Mike Modano.

#12 Roger Staubach-Tom Brady will probably get more votes. Aaron Rodgers is well on his way to Canton. But he hasn't played long enough. When Staubach was under center, the Cowboys truly were "America's Team".

#13 Wilt Chamberlain-revolutionized the game of basketball. Dan Marino is right behind him.

#15 Bart Starr-the leader of the Pack won 5 NFL Championships in 6 tries. Won 9 of 10 playoff games. And maybe the nicest man to ever play the game of football. A true gentleman.

#16 Joe Montana-my vote for the greatest quarterback in NFL history.

#19 Robin Yount-lots will take Johnny Unitas here. Yount is one of the most unassuming superstars to play baseball. The children in Milwaukee wrote him letters begging him to stay with the Brewers when other teams were offering him twice what he was making.

#21 Roberto Clemente-Arriba!The great one.

#23 Michael Jordan-my favorite basketball player ever.

#32 Magic Johnson-Magic was poetry in motion.

#33 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar-the skyhook. Just ahead of Larry Bird.

#34 Walter Payton-"Sweetness". My choice for the greatest football player of my lifetime.

#44 Hank Aaron-the all-time home run king (still, imo) ahead of the great Pete Maravich.

#66 Mario Lemieux-spectacular on the ice. Could score at will.

#75 Forrest Gregg-Part of the greatest offensive line in NFL history (sorry, Cowboy fans).

#80 Jerry Rice-only Don Hutson has ever been a better receiver in the game's history.

[sebie43]

#9 Gordie Howe -Mr Hockey
#7 Ted Lindsay- Terrible Ted co-captained the production line.
#5 Nick Lidstrom-The perfect Human, second best defenseman of all time
#19 Steve Yzerman.- THE Captain,enough said
Sure Im a homer but you can make the argument.

[whodey14]

Here are a few that instantly came to mind

3 Babe Ruth
6 Bill Russell
14 Pete Rose, Oscar Robertson
18 Dave Cowens
19 Johnny Unitas
20 Barry Sanders
23 Michael Jordan
32 Jim Brown
33 Larry Bird
34 Walter Payton
42 Jackie Robinson
44 Hank Aaron
51 Dick Butkus
75 Deacon Jones
78 Anthony Munoz

[brewing]

Originally Posted by sebie43

#9 Gordie Howe -Mr Hockey
#19 Steve Yzerman.

I agree.

I can't hear the calls for Ted Williams and Unitas from the sound of Championship rings clanging.

[nolemmings]

Randall McDaniel #64. 202 consecutive starts, 12 consecutive Pro Bowls--the greatest O-lineman I've ever seen.

[clydepepper]

32- Bill Walton

and 00 for Jeffrey 'Ole Penitentiary Face' Leonard.

[clydepepper]

hansons.jpg

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by brewing

I agree.

I can't hear the calls for Ted Williams and Unitas from the sound of Championship rings clanging.

Howe vs. Williams is an interesting debate. Unitas and Yzerman not as much. BTW, Johnny U won three rings.

[Peter_Spaeth]

13 AROD
21 Clemens also 22 his Yankees number

[Peter_Spaeth]

1 Ozzie Smith. Also, I think, Lou Whitaker.

[Peter_Spaeth]

11 Barry Larkin
12 Alomar, also Boggs as a Yankee
15 Munson
30 Ryan on Mets, maybe Angels too
33 Eddie Murray

[nolemmings]

Boggs as a Yankee

I cringe every time I hear those words.

[Peter_Spaeth]

At the risk of being booted, some more random ones from memory.
5 Brooks Robinson, Pujols and Bench
44 McCovey
24 Rickey, Griffey, Manny Ramirez
29 Carew

[TUM301]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

Howe vs. Williams is an interesting debate. Unitas and Yzerman not as much. BTW, Johnny U won three rings.

Howe vs Ted is interesting, as far as hearing over any clinking, someone once said " Ted Williams lived the life that John Wayne dreamed about". Overall, I think the no doubts are #`s 3, 7, 13, 23, 42, 99, with 9 and 4 being the biggest tossups off the top of my head. Also, 33 between Bird and Alcindor also very close. Fun thread !!

[Beatles Guy]

#29 - Satchel Paige
#10 - Johnny Mize
#73 - Larry Allen
#74 - Merlin Olsen
#97 - Jeremy Roenick

[the 'stache]

#35 Frank Thomas-his entire career was outstanding, but his first seven seasons at the plate were as good as any I've ever seen.

#40 Gale Sayers-before he destroyed his knee, he was out of this world, both as a return man and a running back.

#41 Dirk Nowitzki-the Bucks drafted Nowitzki in 1999, and promptly traded him to the Dallas Mavericks for Robert Traylor. Nowitzki has scored nearly 27,000 points for the Mavericks. Traylor scored 416 for the Bucks. Trading Nowitzki in 1999 was almost as dumb as trading Ray Allen for Gary Payton in 2002. Payton played one year for the Bucks. Nowitzki and Allen continue to play at an All Star level. But I'm not bitter.

[sebie43]

I know this is a baseball forum but Hockey is too underrated in my opinion, here are some for you

#68 Jaromir Jagr -still kicking
#87- Sidney Crosby- Generational talent, skilled beyond belief
#30 Marty Brodeur- Numbers dont lie
#88 Eric Lindros- Sweetest set of mitts you will ever see, in his prime before injuries he was Gretzky-ish, absolutely breathtaking, its a shame he didn't get inducted to the HOF last month.
#11 Mark Messier- A true captain in every sense, took greatness with him to NY
#22 Mike Bossy- as pure a goal scorer as there ever was, The engine that drove the long island dynasty

[sycks22]

#77 Ray Bourque
#91 Sergei Federov
#25 Jim Thome

[Jim65]

#39 Larry Csonka
#41 Tom Seaver

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by sebie43

I know this is a baseball forum but Hockey is too underrated in my opinion, here are some for you

#68 Jaromir Jagr -still kicking
#97- Sidney Crosby- Generational talent, skilled beyond belief
#30 Marty Brodeur- Numbers dont lie
#88 Eric Lindros- Sweetest set of mitts you will ever see, in his prime before injuries he was Gretzky-ish, absolutely breathtaking, its a shame he didn't get inducted to the HOF last month.
#11 Mark Messier- A true captain in every sense, took greatness with him to NY
#22 Mike Bossy- as pure a goal scorer as there ever was, The engine that drove the long island dynasty

Why is it that in hockey they seem to be able to look at an 8 year old and predict his NHL future? Seriously.

[nolemmings]

Please add Gehrig #4.

[nolemmings]

#99 George Mikan.

[sac_bunt]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Why is it that in hockey they seem to be able to look at an 8 year old and predict his NHL future? Seriously.

It's the ability to skate.
You can watch kids that are 2 or 3 or 4 yrs old and once they have that skill - they are generally ahead of the pack for the rest of their young lives - thus the predictions.


Adds:
12 – Terry Bradshaw
47 – Mel Blount
52 – Mike Webster
58 – Jack Lambert
59 – Jack Ham
75 – Joe Greene
82 – John Stallworth
88 – Lynn Swann

[sebie43]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Why is it that in hockey they seem to be able to look at an 8 year old and predict his NHL future? Seriously.

Thats a good question. And speaking of we are only one year away from the Connor McDavid draft. The next in line to Gretzky-Lemieux-Lindros-Crosby. He's spoken in that same breath which is alot of pressure.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by sebie43

Thats a good question. And speaking of we are only one year away from the Connor McDavid draft. The next in line to Gretzky-Lemieux-Lindros-Crosby. He's spoken in that same breath which is alot of pressure.

There is a story about Orr, who knows if it's true, that the Bruins sent someone to scout him when he was 12. The guy reports back to management and says, he could play in the NHL. Management is like, well yeah tell us something we don't know, until the scout explains: "I mean right now."

I remember the hype about Lindros, he had some extremely overprinted RC that was nevertheless sky high for a while.

[Steve D]

Here are some from me:

1 Warren Moon
4 Lou Gehrig
5 Johnny Bench
7 John Elway
10 Andre Dawson
29 Rod Carew
31 Dave Winfield (only player drafted by four different pro leagues - MLB (Padres), NFL (Vikings), ABA (Utah Stars) and NBA (Atlanta Hawks)
50 David Robinson
60 Chuck Bednarik (played both offense and defense in the same game)
74 Bob Lilly
85 Jack Youngblood (played 1980 Super Bowl with broken leg)
88 Lynn Swann

Steve

[CW]

I'll add another vote for

66 - Mario Lemieux

[Peter_Spaeth]

and I cheated because I just couldn't think of any
and for good reason it turns out

48 rick rueuschel
57 johan satana

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

and I cheated because I just couldn't think of any
and for good reason it turns out

48 rick rueuschel
57 johan satana

And you misspelled both of them.

[the 'stache]

#1 Earle Combs-great who spent his whole twelve year career leading off for the Yankees group known as "Murderer's Row". Hit .325 for his career.

#6 Stan "The Man" Musial-three time MVP who hit .331 over a 22 year career. 475 home runs, 1,951 RBI and 3,630 hits-1,815 hits at home, and 1,815 hits on the road. Musial won seven batting titles!

#8 Steve Young-he had awfully big shoes to fill, and I'd say he did just fine! In fact some think he was better than Montana.

[clydepepper]

2- Derek Jeter
10- Chipper Jones
21- Warren Spahn
29- John Smoltz
31- Greg Maddux
47- Tom Glavine
34- Nolan Ryan

[the 'stache]

#2 Derek Jeter-a very worthy Yankee Captain, and future Hall of Famer.

#22 Emmitt Smith-the all-time leading rusher in NFL history, and an all-around good guy.

#24 Charles Woodson-the number he wore as a Raider because I couldn't choose the number he wore for the Packers (#21). The next Packer after Brett Favre to go into the Hall of Fame, Charles Woodson was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. He is second in NFL history with 11 interceptions returned for touchdowns to Rod Woodson. 56 interceptions, 19 quarterback sacks, 8 time Pro Bowler and 3 time first team All Pro.

#26 Rod Woodson-71 interceptions, 12 for touchdowns. 13.5 career QB sacks. 4 more touchdowns on kick and punt returns. 11 time Pro Bowler, 6 times first team All Pro.

[the 'stache]

#29 Eric Dickerson-spectacular running back.
#58 Derrick Thomas-126.5 sacks for the late Chiefs great.
#92 Reggie White-the Minister of Defense. 198 sacks for the Eagles, Packers and Panthers great.

[frankbmd]

Bill,

Did I forget to mention that there is no prize for filling the board?

[Peter_Spaeth]

53 Don Drysdale
56 Lawrence Taylor (I think)

[grainsley]

10- Pavel Bure
20- Frank Robinson
27- Frank Mahovlich

[Paul S]

77 - Red Grange

[Jim65]

#00 Jim Otto
#19 Johnny Unitas
#88 Alan Page

[Pat R]

Do car #'s count?

#43 Richard Petty

[bobbvc]

#20 Lou Brock
#19 Tony Gwynn

[GoldenAge50s]

#37--Casey Stengel as Yankee Mgr/Retired #

#16--Whitey Ford

#8--Carl Yaz

#12---Tom Brady

#00--Jim Otto

[sebie43]

Frank, there was a typo in my second post, fat thumb syndrome, Sidney Crosby is #87

[Jim65]

#13 Dan Marino

[39special]

Lee Smith wore #48 when he was with the Red Sox