Why hes here: Eight seasons into his career with the Red Sox, Boggs owned a .352 batting average and five AL batting titles. Rose played 24 seasons, and wore No. Joe DiMaggios 56-game hitting streak might never be topped. The #7 shirt at Liverpool has a long and storied history that has seen some of the clubs best players wear the number. Why hes here: The two pitchers on the HM line produced better career WAR numbers, but their overall contributions to the game pale in comparison to Clemente. So when New York pulled off the massive deal to get Rodriguez, he switch to No. There can't be many more iconic combinations of player and number than Mantle and 7, right? "There's actually no reason," he said. Jones briefly wore 16 when he arrived in the Majors, but soon switched to 10 to follow in his father's footsteps. 5 is a total murderers' row. 1. Shes a famous Cuban/Puerto Rican softball pitcher who created the Olympic record of 25 strikeouts in softball. Presently, she is the Head Coach of the Softball Team Lady Flames of Liberty University. In case you're wondering if numbers matter, do recall what Sports Illustrated wrote about Walker in 1993: "He wears number 33 and he was married on Nov. 3 at 3:33 and his phone number has as many threes in it as he can get the phone company to give him, and he takes three swings in the batter's box before he hits, six if he feels tight, or nine or 12, any multiple of three. Why hes here: The Cobra was a legitimate star in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning an MVP, two batting titles and three Gold Gloves. No. He wore No. Michael Jordans #23 is the most iconic number in the history of sports. Why he's here: Not a lot to choose from. Lisa Fernandez is a Puerto Rican American former collegiate 4-time First Team All-American, 3-time Olympian medal winner, right-handed hitting softball pitcher, and ThirdBaseman,current softball assistant coach at UCLA. Why hes here: Ryan is the greatest strikout pitcher in baseball history of course. No. 44, and rightfully so. Why he's here: The long-time Yankee lefty was by far the best player who wore No. It's not a coincidence that as we're in the midst of a glut of high 30s and mid 40s here, 13 stands out like a sore thumb. He's in the top 10, but again, the Yankees didn't add numbers until 1929, by which time he was already 34 years old and 470 homers into his career. This was an easy choice. These numbers can be passed down from one club legend to the next, as the tradition is in soccer. 49753 WARNotable names: Ron Guidry, Tom Candiotti, Charlie Hough, Tim Wakefield, Larry Dierker. The right-hander with the unmistakable high leg kick finished his career with a 2.89 ERA and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1983. 50 because no one wants it," he said. Jill Spargo was an excellent hitter during her time at RMU, sporting a .340 career batting average, and a member of the star-studded 2005 and 2006 teams. Craig Biggio, Kenny Lofton, Joe Mauer, Matt Holliday, all were greats who wore #7, but the greatest was Mark Belanger who was the greatest fielding shortstop by defensive metrics of all time! Shes the first All American, National, and Hall of Famer UCLA Softball Champion. Alex Bregman is storming up this list; he wears 2 in part to honor Jeter, and in part because he was drafted second overall in 2015. Gehrig finished with 493 homers and a .340 career batting average, and he was even better in the World Series the Iron Horse hit .361 and popped 10 homers in 34 games as his Yankees claimed the title six times in seven tries. Why hes here: Look at the honorable mentions list. Byers was the greatest power hitter in Colonials history, swatting a school-record 35 home runs in her time with the Colonials, and playing during the golden era of 2005 and 2006. The top 35 names on our No. The number 9 is the second most common and second most prolific with four club top scorers managing a total of 38 goals. Spent six years in the outfield in the 1970s. 1 to No. The unlucky 13, at least in the eyes of some players. The #7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by several of the greatest players of all time. 24 his. Honorable mentions: Appier, Russell Martin. 96 for four seasons. 12 during his managerial career, because growing up in California, he idolized Dodgers outfielder Tommy Davis, who wore the dozen for the team from 1959 through 1966. Why he's here: The pitcher wore No. 56 is even close. He wore the #3 for his entire baseball career and has had that number retired by the New York Yankees. Sometimes, numbers take on a personality, and that's pretty clear true with the No. In 2006, Enquist decided to retire from UCLA. Numbers are now considered a common feature for uniforms in every team sport. 42, but it's the only number that's guaranteed to fall down, not go up, because it's of course retired sport-wide in honor of Jackie Robinson. Childhood favorite of Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder. Despite the less-popular numbers here in this group, there's still a number of huge stars to have worn them. 31,614 WARNotable names: Jimmie Foxx, Alan Trammell, Alex Rodriguez, Harmon Killebrew, Willie Davis. Why he's here: Not much to choose from, to be honest. His #13 is retired by both the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Miami Dolphins, and he is the greatest quarterback to ever wear the number. She also hit 13 doubles, five home runs and drove in 35 runs. Why hes here: Larkin, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in his third year of eligibility, actually wore No. Why he's here: He's the only player to wear No. 77 for just one season, but he's Pudge. Meyer was also a member of the legendary 2005 and 2006 teams, and her 2005 season was the best hitting season a Colonial ever had, becoming the only player to hit above .400 in program history with a staggering .418 batting average. Every day, hundreds of people walk or drive by the softball field at the North Athletic Complex and see the nine retired numbers that hang on the right-field fence. His accomplishments on the baseball diamond are virtually unparalleled over the course of a century of baseball history. She also played for the Raybestos Brakettes, leading the team to 1976, 1977, 1978, and 1980 Amateur Softball Association National Championships. The youngest player at the Women's Major Fastpitch National Championship, her ensuing career spanned over 25 years. ", No. Jeter was the cornerstone of the Yankees during their tremendous success in the 1990s and 2000s. George Herman Ruth, better known as The Babe, the Sultan of Swat, or the Great Bambino was the greatest hitter during one the greatest eras in the history of baseball. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. The number is currently vacant at the club, just waiting for the next legend to don the famous #7. But thats OK. Brett was a wizard at the plate during a 21-year career he even led the AL in average (.329) and doubles (45) in his Age 37 season that garnered 13 All-Star nods, the 1980 AL MVP (when he hit .390) and the 1985 World Series title for Kansas City (he hit .370 against St. Louis in the series). The University of Arizona retired Finch's jersey number 27 to honor the best female softball player in the university's history. Why hes here: Ripken started his career with a bang he won the AL rookie of the year in 1982 and the AL MVP in 1983 and spent the rest of his time with the Orioles fashioning a no-doubt Hall of Fame career. LISTING OF PRIMARY NUMBERS IN CAPS; Secondary Numbers in lower case Follow every game: Latest NBA Scores and Schedules, GALLERY: Top pro athletes bynumber, from 00 to 99, Jim Otto, NFL; Robert Parish, NBA; Ken Burrough, NFL, Russell Westbrook, NBA; Al Oliver, MLB; Gilbert Arenas, NBA, Oscar Robertson, NBA; Warren Moon, NFL; Ozzie Smith, MLB; Billy Martin, MLB; Pee Wee Reese, MLB, Derek Jeter, MLB;Moses Malone, NBA; Brian Leetch, NHL; Rusty Wallace, NASCAR;Al MacInnis, NHL, Babe Ruth, MLB; Dwyane Wade, NBA; Allen Iverson, NBA; Dale Earnhardt, NASCAR;Bronko Nagurski, NFL; Harmon Killebrew, MLB; Candace Parker, WNBA;Diana Taurasi, WNBA, Lou Gehrig, MLB;Brett Favre, NFL;Bobby Orr, NHL; Mel Ott, MLB; Duke Snider, MLB, Paul Molitor, MLB, Joe DiMaggio, MLB; Johnny Bench, MLB; Hank Greenberg, MLB; Paul Hornung, NFL; Brooks Robinson, MLB; George Brett, MLB; Nicklas Lidstrom, NHL;Dawn Staley, WNBA, Bill Russell, NBA; Julius Erving, NBA; Stan Musial, MLB; Al Kaline, MLB, Mickey Mantle, MLB; John Elway, NFL; David Beckham, soccer; Tiny Archibald, NBA;Phil Esposito, NHL, Cal RipkenJr., MLB; Yogi Berra, MLB; Troy Aikman, NFL; Steve Young, NFL;Carl Yastrzemski, MLB; Joe Morgan, MLB; Willie Stargell, MLB;Kobe Bryant, NBA, Ted Williams, MLB; Gordie Howe, NHL; Bob Pettit, NBA; Bill Elliott, NASCAR; Rocket Richard, NHL; Bobby Hull, NHL; Drew Brees, NFL; Roger Maris, MLB, Walt Frazier, NBA; Fran Tarkenton, NFL; Pele, soccer;Diego Maradona, soccer;Guy Lafleur, NHL; Chipper Jones, MLB; Lionel Messi, soccer, Isaiah Thomas, NBA; Mark Messier, NHL; Elvin Hayes, NBA; Yao Ming, NBA; Cale Yarborough, NASCAR;Teresa Weatherspoon, WNBA, Tom Brady, NFL; Joe Namath, NFL; Terry Bradshaw, NFL; John Stockton, NBA;Jim Kelly, NFL; Ken Stabler, NFL; Roger Staubach, NFL; Roberto Alomar, MLB, Wilt Chamberlain, NBA; Dan Marino, NFL; Alex Rodriguez, MLB; Steve Nash, NBA; James Harden, NBA, Pete Rose, MLB; Bob Cousy, NBA; A.J. Honorable mentions: Rick Reuschel, Sam McDowell. She was the first softball player inducted into the Hall of Fame, inducted in 1999. 38822 WARNotable names: Curt Schilling, Carlos Zambrano, Gary Nolan, Rick Aguilera. Tweet us @USATODAYSports and let us know. No. Jeter was named to fourteen All-Star teams and won the World Series five times during his career with the Bronx Bombers. Lionel Messi has made history wearing no.10 for Barcelona, while Cristiano Ronaldo is often referred to by his legions of fans as 'CR7' - He'd then play for seven more teams after leaving the Giants, and, when he could get it, he'd wear 36 for each and every one of them. Danielle LawrieWashington 2006-07, 2009-10. The Claymont, Delaware native racked up multiple pieces of hardware during her time on campus, winning NEC Rookie of the Year in 1995, Pitcher of the Year in 1998, and made the All-NEC First Team in 1996, 1997, and 1998. No. Schwanke-List may be one of the best pitchers the Colonials have ever had. No. 81 for more than a season. The two-time MVP was a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection. He retired with the most wins of any quarterback in NFL history (which would later be broken by Favre, Brady, and Manning). Sue Enquist holds the highest National Championships (11) than anybody in softball history. In many other sports, numbers of club legends are retired from use and placed in the rafters to be revered by generations of fans. Why he's here: The hard-throwing Yankee has established himself as one of baseball's top relievers over the past two seasons. The Arizona Wildcats, the United States National Softball Team, and the Chicago Bandits pitched. All-time, she ranks fifth in strikeouts (473), first in shutouts (35), and second in wins (77). Then again, No. 5. The first number to get a big boost from pitchers. Lemieux also overcame Hodgkins Lymphoma, which caused him to miss the entire 1994-95 season. Finch had enjoyed a wonderful life as a mother, commentator, and hadnumerousTV appearances. Jennie Finch is a retired two-time pro-all-star, righthand hitting softball pitcher originally from La Mirada, California, former All American colleague, and Olympian with the medal. The No. Why he's here: The middle reliever is the only player in history to post a postive WAR while wearing No. She Originally comes from Long Beach, California. Why hes here: Armed with a sweet swing and an unparalleled batting eye, Carew won seven AL batting titles and hit at least .330 in 10 different seasons. Angel Di Maria currently wears the #7 shirt after his blockbuster transfer deal this summer. 20 for his rookie season in 1973, and wore it for the rest of his career -- except for a confusing road trip in 1982 where the team apparently forgot to pack Schmidt's jersey and he had to wear bullpen pitcher Hank King's 37 . It's not a hard-and-fast rule, because the powerful Carlos Correa sported it during his time in Houston, but you're more likely to find a Jarrod Dyson or Garry Templeton than you are a Ruth or Gehrig here. Honorable mentions: John Smoltz, Adrian Beltre, Mickey Lolich. He still could get there, and he's the most talented player to put on No. Her 1.59 career earned run average stands as a program record and her 1.19 mark in 1992 is a single-season record. 12 when he signed with the rival Yankees as a free agent after the 1992 season, and thats the number he wore the final seven seasons of his Hall of Fame career. No. As captain of the Yankees, Jeter epitomized the clubs ideals and excelled on the field. Dot Richardson, a two-time gold medal winner from Orlando, Florida, is a right-handedshortstop softball player, an American physician. No. Honorable mentions: Robin Roberts, Jim Kaat. No. He spent 20 seasons pitching for Cleveland, from 1928-47, then was their pitching coach from '48 through '63. Enjoy. Today, the number is best remembered for Clemente, who briefly wore No. 35 the year he stole 130 bases), so the full value of his career isn't applied here. Who was the best football player to wear No. Aside from the final stop of his football career in Baltimore, he wore #21 for his other four teams. Several of the greats share the same number (Looking at you, No. Forty-nine: The official number of knuckleballers everywhere. Gehrig was already 111 homers into his career by the time the Yankees even starting wearing numbers, though, so this isn't his full career value. He's been asking for it since college at Old Dominion, in part because of his childhood affinity for "the Big Hurt," Thomas. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. 231,593 WARNotable names: Ryne Sandberg, Ted Simmons, Don Mattingly, Robin Ventura, Luis Tiant. The more creative players in the Premier League tend to wear the number 11 for their clubs, however Kevin de Bruyne who is the current leader in assists, wears the number 17 for Manchester City. These things aren't always scientific, are they. 44 for the Atlanta Braves, carrying it over with the team from Milwaukee, and he was the first player to have his number retired by two teams when the Brewers did so in 1977. Elway played all sixteen seasons with the Denver Broncos wearing the #7. And that's just why I wear it. CR7, as he is known to many fans around the world, is possibly the greatest player among this current generation of footballers. 72 for his entire 13-year tenure with the White Sox. Thanks to then-Yankee Miguel Yajure, who became the first player to ever wear No. No. Brown has inspired generations of running backs to wear #32 in his honor including Marcus Allen and OJ Simpson. But Henderson only spent about two-thirds of his career in the two-four (for example, he wore No. Why he's here: A pitcher in the 1940 and 1950s, Voiselle wore No. 46, as he did briefly at the beginning of his career. Why he's here: Fielder has worn No. His Philadelphia Athletics didnt actually wear uniform numbers until 1931 (Grove was 30-4 with a 2.06 ERA that year), so Grove only wore 10 in 11 of his seasons, but he still gets the nod here (he led the AL in ERA six of those 11 years, btw). The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. Lauren Chamberlain is a retired infielder and one of the greatest players inAmerican softball. No. More recently, 18 has become known in the Majors as being the favored number of Japanese pitchers, as Hiroki Kuroda, Kenta Maeda, Hisashi Iwakuma, Daisuke Matsuzaka and Yusei Kikuchi have all worn it. 1 1. 70. Why hes here: One of the greatest pichers ever, Maddux won four straight Cy Youngs and was elected to the Hall of Fame in a landslide on his first try. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a43580cc7689e3272705515b273bd971" );document.getElementById("f60aa1dce8").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 41998 WARNotable names: Tom Seaver, Eddie Mathews, John Lackey, Darrell Evans, Pat Hentgen, Seager is so synonymous with 41, the only number he wore for any of the four teams he played for, that in 2022, his hometown of Fresno, Calif., honored him by renaming part of Highway 41 the "Tom Seaver Memorial Highway. Trout has taken over ownership of the lead here, and he'll probably own it for the entire rest of baseball history. Why he's here: Five Cy Youngs, 303 wins, 4,875 strikeouts.The Big Unit is the obvious choice. Perfect? #23 is now retired by both the Chicago Bulls and North Carolina Tar Heels. When uniform numbers first came into existence, they were often assigned in accordance with lineup spot, which is why you see a few cleanup hitters atop the list here. 1: Jose Cardenal. Elway retired following two consecutive Super Bowl wins and appeared in five Super Bowls. No. Why he's here: The long-time Angels Reliever is the best of a so-so group who wore No. Honorable mentions: Ted Simmons, Luis Tiant, Don Mattingly. She was named to the All-NEC Tournament Team twice. Why he's here: Gibson was an elite pitcher, and he just barely edges out fellow elite pitcher Pedro Martinez for the top spot due to a longer career. Think we left someone off? Iconic NBA players with number 23 jerseys include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career highlights are among the greatest moments in basketball history. 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