Best Athletes by the Numbers

LeBron James Will Wear Jersey Number 6

2009-11-14T11:49:00.004-05:00

Shocking many of his fans no doubt, LeBron James announced that he will no longer wear the jersey number 23. In homage to Michael Jordan, LeBron will change his jersey number from number 23 to number 6 after this season. LeBron believes, as do many Bulls fans most likely, that Michael Jordan's jersey number 23 should be retired due to his contributions to the NBA. LeBron might want to pick another jersey number than 6, based on that reasoning. There was another NBA Hall of Famer that had a monumental impact on the league who wore number 6. That player is also our pick for the best athlete to ever wear the jersey number 6.

MLB Athlete Number 49 - Ron Guidry

2009-09-16T16:44:00.004-05:00

If your baseball jersey number is retired by the New York Yankees, it should be listed on this site. But that's not the case for all uniform numbers. It is for "Gator" Ron Guidry though.

Check out some of Guidry's MLB pitching stats here, and see why he's also the best professional athlete to ever wear the jersey number 49.

MLB Athlete Number 48 - Torii Hunter

2009-09-15T21:20:00.004-05:00

When you think of the number 48 and pro sports, two names might come to mind. Jimmie Johnson and "Moose" Johnston. But don't forget one of the best MLB centerfielders to play the game. Torii Hunter, wearing MLB jersey number 48, isn't called "Spiderman" for nothing.

But the eight time gold glove winner isn't too bad with the stick either. He's racked up more than 1,300 hits and over 210 homers over his 12 MLB seasons.

MLB Athlete Number 47 - Tom Glavine

2009-09-15T21:06:00.002-05:00

You know Glavine was a great MLB pitcher. But did you know that he was drafted by the Kings of the NHL in 1984? Yeah, he was. He's probably a really good golfer too. But that's not why he's listed here. He's listed here because he was the best MLB athlete to ever wear the number 47.

He is a Hall of Famer to be, and a member of the 300 win club. A career 3.54 ERA and 2,607 strikeouts over 22 seasons don't hurt either. He also led the National League in wins an impressive five times.

See more about Tom Glavine's impressive career MLB stats here.

MLB Athlete Number 46 - Andy Pettitte

2009-09-02T17:47:00.003-05:00

He's also the best professional athlete to ever wear the uniform number 46, so you'd kinda guess he'd be the best MLB athlete to wear uni number 46, yes? Well, he is, and here's why. And no, I am not a Yankees fan.

MLB Athlete Number 45 - Pedro Martinez

2009-09-02T17:34:00.003-05:00

Yes, Pedro Martinez IS the best MLB athlete to ever wear the uniform number 45. Don't get me wrong here. Bob Gibson was an awesome pitcher. One of the best ever. But do you remember how good Pedro was in his heydey? Do you? Do you remember how he dominated hitters with his fastball? Although Pedro's stats need to be adjusted a tad since this post was written, take a look at the comparison between Pedro's stats and Gibson's stats here. Real close, but the edge goes to Pedro.

MLB Athlete Number 44 - Hank Aaron

2009-06-26T16:55:00.005-05:00

Hammerin' Hank is a baseball icon. Who hasn't seen that video of Hank trotting around the bases after swatting number 715, fans trying to touch a piece of history, swatted aside by the most prolific home run hitter of the 20th century?

Reggie Jackson and Willie McCovey could also be considered at this number, but there really is no other choice for the best MLB athlete to wear the uniform number 44 than Mr. Hank Aaron.

Logged in at number 5 on the 1999 Sporting News list of the greatest baseball players, Aaron put up some extremely gaudy numbers between the years of 1954 and 1976 in the big leagues.

755 career homers

.305 career batting average

2,297 career RBI

3,771 career hits

6,856 career total bases (#1 all-time)

Hank Aaron was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

Did you know.........that Hank Aaron's uniform number 44 has been retired by both the Braves and the Brewers?

MLB Athlete Number 43 - Dennis Eckersley

2009-06-22T16:38:00.003-05:00

Definitely some controversy over who the best pro athlete to ever wear the jersey number 43 is? But, as you probably know, Nascar has been excluded from this list. Here we are listing ONLY the four major North American pro sports (football, baseball, hockey and lacrosse). Yeah, just kidding with that last one. It's basketball. But anyway, this is why you don't see Pele at number 10.

However, while some identify Mr. Petty with 43, there is ZERO doubt that Dennis Eckersley is the best MLB athlete to ever wear the jersey number 43.

MLB Athlete Number 42 - Jackie Robinson

2009-05-18T16:54:00.006-05:00

You know who the best MLB athlete to ever wear the number 42 is. You also know that Jackie Robinson probably could have played pro football if he wanted to. Instead, he broke the color line in Major League Baseball. He is the best athlete ever to wear the number 42. Hands down. Check out my post on why he's the best number 42 athlete of all time.

MLB Athlete Number 41 - Tom Seaver

2009-05-16T07:11:00.002-05:00

Not only the best MLB athlete, but the best Professional athlete to ever wear the jersey number 41 is Tom Seaver.

Seaver, who spent most of his career with the New York Mets, is generally considered one of the best starting pitchers to ever take to an MLB mound. He began his major league career with the statistics to support his expectation as a pitching phenom. During his rookie season he racked up 16 wins, 170 strikeouts in 251 innings pitched, and a 2.76 ERA to go with 2 shutouts. Not too bad for a rookie, huh?

He only followed that rookie season with one in which he again won 16 games but this time with a 2.20 ERA, 5 shutouts and 205 strikeouts in 277.2 innings pitched.

Seaver would continue to keep a miniscule ERA each season while racking up the strikeouts and wins. His highest season win total was 25 games in 1969 (the year the Mets first won it all), best season ERA was in 1971 when he had a tiny 1.76 ERA, and his best season for strikeouts was again in 1971 when he racked up 289.

For his career, he put up the following numbers:

311 wins

2.86 ERA

3,640 strikeouts

61 shutouts

1 World Series championship

1 Save

He wore the jersey number 41 for his entire career with the Mets, Reds, White Sox and Red Sox.

Did you know.......that Seaver's number 41 has been retired by the Mets?

MLB Athlete Number 40 - Troy Percival

2009-05-15T19:30:00.003-05:00

Longtime Angel and ninth inning specialist Troy Percival is the best major league baseball athlete to ever wear the jersey number 40. Why you ask? Just this.

352 career saves through 2008 season

3.12 career ERA through 2008 season

774 strikeouts in 697.1 innings pitched

42 save season in 1998 with the Angels

3 World Series saves in 3 games and 3 innings pitched

Did you know.....Percival is currently 8th on the all-time career save leaders list?

Ochocinco Approved

2009-05-15T06:10:00.001-05:00

Get ready to purchase your new Bengals number 85 jersey. If you're getting the new version, it will be the league approved, yes NFL approved, 85 jersey with the name Ochocinco on the back.

MLB Athlete Number 39 - Roy Campanella

2009-05-13T19:35:00.004-05:00

Philly native and longtime Dodger, Roy Campanella is the best MLB athlete to ever wear the jersey number 39. Campanella, or "Campy" as he was called by some, broke into the major leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948, the year after Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color line.

Campy would go on to prove himself not only worthy of major league level play, but of Hall of Fame honor, being inducted into the Hall in 1969.
Playing for the Dodgers between the years of 1948 and 1957, Campanella put up some big numbers.

242 career home runs

.276 career batting average

856 career RBI

3-time NL MVP (1951, 1953 and 1955)

8-time All Star

Campanella's career was cut short by an automobile accident, otherwise his numbers and accolades would have been even greater.

Did you know.........Roy Campanella's jersey number 39 has been retired by the Dodgers?

MLB Athlete Number 38 - Curt Schilling

2009-05-03T19:16:00.002-05:00

Easy pick here. Curt is easily the best MLB athlete to ever wear the jersey number 38. He is so associated with this number, that he owns a blog with his jersey number in the URL. Have you checked out 38pitches.com?

Over a career spanning the years 1988 to 2007, Schilling racked up:

3,116 strikeouts

216 wins

3 World Series Championships

1 World Series MVP

20 shutouts

11 post-season wins and 4 World Series wins

#1 Win-Loss percentage in the A.L. in 2004

Twice the N.L. Strikeout Leader (1997, 1998)

Did you know.....that Schilling ended his MLB career with the Red Sox, started his MLB career with the Orioles, but was initially drafted by the Red Sox in the 1986 amateur draft?

MLB Athlete Number 37 - Keith Hernandez

2009-04-22T05:24:00.004-05:00

Many people associate Keith Hernandez with the number 17, especially if they are a Mets fan. You have to remember though, that Hernandez played with the Cardinals between the years of 1974 to 1983, and for most of that period, he wore the jersey number 37.

Hernandez was very good at the plate. He had a .296 career batting average and 162 career home runs. But, he was phenomenal in the field. He won the Gold Glove award at first base for every year between 1978 and 1988. Impressive. Hernandez' career fielding percentage was .994 with only 115 errors in 19.591 chances.

He was a member of two World Series Championship teams: the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals and the 1986 New York Mets. He had 2,182 hits in his career and had more walks than he did strikeouts.

Did you know......that Hernandez was taken in the 42nd round of the 1971 amateur draft by the Cardinals?

MLB Athlete Number 36 - Robin Roberts

2009-04-10T07:46:00.007-05:00

Robin Roberts is not only one of the greatest Philadelphia Phillies ever, he's also one of the best MLB pitchers ever to take to the mound.

With an MLB career spanning the years of 1948 through 1966, Roberts played predominantly with the Phils, but also briefly with the Orioles, Astros and Cubs. During that time span, he amassed 286 career wins and 2,357 strikeouts. His career ERA was a very respectable 3.41.

The years of 1950 through 1955 were a bright spot in Roberts pitching career. During that time, he led the league in wins four times, led the league in strikeouts twice, made six All-Star teams (seven if you include the year of 1956), and led the league in shutouts in 1950.

Did you know......Robert's number 36 has been retired by the Phillies?

Number 31 Retired

2009-04-06T13:23:00.001-05:00

Uniform number 31 will be retired for an MLB athlete, just not our choice for the best MLB or pro athlete to ever wear that number. Mr. Greg Maddux will have his number 31 retired by the team he is most associated with, the Atlanta Braves.

MLB Athlete Number 35 - Frank Thomas

2009-03-29T03:59:00.000-05:00

Frank Thomas, who played most of his career with the Chicago White Sox, but also spent time with the A's and Blue Jays, sported number 35 every year (even if some years it was in addition to other numbers) and is the best MLB athlete to ever wear that number.

Over a 19 year career, Thomas smacked 521 homers, 1,704 RBI, 2,468 hits and batted a career .301.

Thomas was taken by the Sox with the 7th pick in the 1989 amateur baseball draft. The hulking first baseman out of Auburn University quickly made an impact in the major leagues. In 1990, with 191 at-bats, Thomas batted .330 with seven dingers. Playing full time in his sophomore MLB season, he would smack 32 dingers.

Thomas would continue to put up double digit numbers in the home run category, through 2007, for each season that he was healthy enough to play the majority of the year. His peak season came in 2000, when he would knock 43 over the fence with 143 RBI and a .328 batting average.

Did you know......Frank Thomas' nickname is "The Big Hurt"?

MLB Athlete Number 34 - Nolan Ryan

2009-03-19T20:06:00.000-05:00

He also wore 30 for several years, but he started out in 1966 wearing number 34 for the New York Mets (yes, remember, he played for them and won a World Series with them), and wore 34 from 1980 through 1993 with the Astros and Rangers. That qualifies Nolan Ryan to be the best MLB athlete to ever wear the jersey number 34.

Okay, you know that Nolan Ryan is one of the best pitchers to ever take to the hill. But....just in case you forgot, here are some his stats that back it up.

7 career no-hitters
5,714 career strikeouts (currently number 1 all-time)
324 career wins
3.19 career ERA
341 strikeouts in 1977

Did you know.....that Nolan Ryan was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 (along with Orlando Cepeda)?

MLB Athlete Number 33 - Eddie Murray

2009-03-16T19:49:00.000-05:00

Playing 21 seasons of Major League Baseball, and earning an induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003, Eddie Murray is the best MLB athlete to ever wear the jersey number 33.

Murray was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1977, playing with the Baltimore Orioles. He played in 160 games as a young rookie, smacking 27 homers that year. He would reach double digits in home runs for each of the next 19 seasons. That consistency allowed Murray to reach 504 career total home runs. He coupled that with a career .287 batting average and 1,917 career RBI.

Did you know......that Murray played six games at third base during his career?

MLB Athlete Number 32 - Sandy Koufax

2009-03-13T19:37:00.000-05:00

32 is an easy one. Possibly the best left handed pitcher ever. He's also the best professional athlete to ever wear the jersey number 32. He is Sandy Koufax.

MLB Athlete Number 31 - Mike Piazza

2009-03-10T16:36:00.000-05:00

This one was a tough decision. Two players could be considered for the best MLB athlete to ever wear the number 31. If you are going by the best all-around athlete, I'd give it to Dave Winfield. (He was, after all, drafted by four professional sports teams). However, for the best MLB athlete, going by the best statistics and impact on the game of baseball on the field, I give it to Mike Piazza.

Mike Piazza is often considered the best hitting catcher ever in major league baseball. Piazza's career batting average was .308. His best years, by batting average, are as follows:

.362 in 1997
.348 in 1998
.346 in 1995
.336 in 1996
.324 in 2000

As you probably know, Piazza also had quite a bit of power, in addition to being able to hit for average. He had 427 career home runs, and twice reached 40 single season homers (1997 and 1999).

Did you know.......Mike Piazza was the 1,390th pick in the 1988 MLB amateur draft?

MLB Athlete Number 30 - Orlando Cepeda

2009-03-07T17:04:00.000-05:00

This is a fairly tough number to pick the best MLB athlete for. Nolan Ryan wore the number 30 and he would obviously be the prime pick. However......he wore the number 30 only from 1968 through 1979. The rest of his career, ending in 1993, was spent wearing the number 34. So, with it being said that he is one of the best pitchers ever, and that he wore number 30 for some of his career, we will not list him as the best MLB athlete to ever wear number 30.

Orlando Cepeda gets the nod for the best MLB athlete to ever wear number 30. Cepeda wore number 30 for the majority of his career, spanning the years 1958 through 1974. (He also wore numbers 28, 20, 12 and 25, each for no more than one season).

Cepeda, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame just before the end of the previous millennium, put up some impressive batting statistics over his 17 MLB seasons.

.297 career batting avg.

379 career home runs

2,351 hits

1,365 career RBI

1958 NL ROY

1967 NL MVP

1961 NL Home Run King (46)

Led NL in RBI in 1961 and 1967

1999 Hall of Fame Inductee

Did you know.......that one of Orlando Cepeda's nicknames was "Cha Cha"?

MLB Athlete Number 29 - Rod Carew

2009-03-04T00:03:00.000-05:00

As Adam Sandler put it in his famous song, ".....Hall of Famer, Rod Carew. He converted." In my opinion, this guy does not get the publicity and acclaim that he deservers. Carew was easily one of the best hitters to ever play the game and certainly the best to ever wear the jersey number 29.

7-time AL Batting Champ

Batted .388 in 1977

Batted over .300 in 15 different seasons

18-time All-Star

1977 AL MVP

Lead AL in hits in 1973, '74 and '77

353 career stolen bases

3,053 career hits

Did you know.....Rod Carew's number 29 jersey has been retired by the Twins and Angels?

MLB Athlete Number 28 - Bert Blyleven

2009-03-01T01:52:00.000-05:00

This is a tough one, because it could have realistically gone to either Sparky Lyle or Bert Blyleven. You can only pick one though. Over a career spanning 22 years, Bert Blyleven pitched for the Twins (in two separate stints,) the Rangers, Pirates, Indians and Angels. Over those years he put up some terrific numbers and wore the number 28 while doing so, for most of them. He only wore the number 22 while with the Pirates from 1978 to 1980.

287 career wins

3701 career strikeouts

3.31 career ERA

4 post-season wins

Blyleven's longevity may be attributed to his early start in the majors. He played his first major league game when he was only 19.

Did you know....Bert was born in the Netherlands?