Favorites By The Number…Part Two

In my second installment of favorite athletes by the number I will cover uniform numbers 21 through 40. Some numbers are more challenging than others to find a favorite for, but I will attempt to justify each of my choices.

#21 - Roberto Clemente, Pittsburgh Pirates. This gifted outfielder had exactly 3000 base hits when his life and career ended suddenly in a tragic plane crash on November 22, 1972 while en route to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. He was a great athlete who was an even greater human being.

#22 - Elijah Pitts, Green Bay Packers. Pitts, a running back in the '60s played his college ball at Philander Smith. He too also left us early, succumbing to stomach cancer in 1998 at age 60.

#23 - Pete Maravich, LSU Tigers. The "Pistol" was the greatest scorer in NCAA basketball history, averaging 44.2 points a game. The amazing thing is that he did this prior to the 3-point shot being introduced. Sadly, he passed on at the very young age of 40.

#24, #25 and #26 - Willie Wood, Bob Jeter and Herb Adderley, Green Bay Packers. This trio comprised 75% of the defensive backfield during the Packers glory years. Before turning pro, Wood played at USC, Jeter at Iowa and Adderley at Michigan State.

#27 - Paul Kelly, Kenosha Flyers. Kelly tended goal for the Flyers back in the '70s in the old Continental Hockey League. During the 1974-75 season, he led Kenosha to the Walmar Cup Championship, the CHL's version of the Stanley Cup.

#28 - Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers. Being a man of size myself, I have been a fan of the Brewer slugger since he took over for Lyle Overbay. I am currently introducing Prince to my friends in Great Britain.

#29 - Mark Brouhard, Milwaukee Brewers. Although never a star, Brouhard went 3 for 4 with a double, a homer, 3 RBI and a record 4 runs scored in Game 4 of the '82 ALCS against the California Angels. He was filling in for Ben Oglivie who was out with sore ribs. To top this off, I was in the left field bleachers with Kevin Hoff, Bill Meurer and Jimmy Gentile.

#30 - Gerry Cheevers, Boston Bruins. This netminder played with the Bruins from 1965 to 1980. I loved his mask. He would paint a short line on it to indicate wherever he would have received stitches had he not been wearing it.

#31 - Jim Taylor, Green Bay Packers. This hard-nosed fullback from LSU asked no quarter and gave none. His battles with Sam Huff and Chuck Bednarik are legendary.

#32 - Franco Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers. The "Italian Stallion" made me a fan with his "Immaculate Reception" against the Oakland Raiders on December 23, 1972 in an AFL divisional playoff game.

#33 - Larry Bird, Boston Celtics. My favorite Bird "moment" occurred in the finals of the 1986 NBA 3-point competition against Craig Hodges. Bird, ever the gentleman, congratulated Hodges for finishing second. Thing is, neither man had shot yet! Needless to say, Bird was correct, Hodges did indeed finish second.

#34 - Charles Barkley, Former NBA Star. I enjoyed the "Round-Mound-of Rebound" throughout his professional career with the Sixers, Suns and Rockets. However, I enjoy him even more now that he has retired and does color commentary for TNT.

#35 - Tony Esposito, Chicago Blackhawks. Tony "O" was my favorite goaltender back in the day. It didn't hurt that he was a goomba.

#36 - LeRoy Butler, Green Bay Packers. The fact that he originated the "Lambeau Leap" should be enough reason for Butler to be a favorite. When you add a career marks of 38 interceptions and 20.5 sacks, it becomes a no-brainer.

#37 - Mark Murphy, Green Bay Packers. I am referring to the hard-hitting safety that played for the Pack in the '80s, not the current Packers' President and CEO. You know, the bald guy.

#38 - No One. I couldn't come up with anyone wearing this number who could remotely be considered a favorite. After doing a little research I found out why. No team in MLB, the NFL, the NBA or the NHL has ever retired No. 38.

#39 - Larry Csonka, Miami Dolphins. Another bruising fullback makes my list. After "Zonk" retired, he went on to do commentary on American Gladiators.

#40 - Vince Lombardi, Fordham University. That's right, Lombardi wore #40 when he played guard on Fordham's famous "Seven Blocks of Granite" offensive line in 1936 and '37.

That's it for this list. I imagine there were some surprises. After my next Survivor recap, I will give you the guys with jersey numbers 41 through 60. Until then…From The Booth.