Numbers Game

[Demreb]

Thanks to the MLB Network I've been able to watch rebroadcasts of old ballgames. In doing so, a thought rambled through my spacious noggin. What player was the greatest that wore a certain uniform number?

I'm pretty sure we would all agree that the greatest #3 was Babe Ruth.

Initiallyl I had intended to put together a detailed list of all the numbers and have us vote on the greatest for each number. I may still do that, although there's not as much competition as I thought there would be.

What I did recognize is that the Number 5 has a long list of very talented players that make it tough to pick out a clear cut winner.

Brooks Robinson, Johnny Bench, Albert Pujols, George Brett, Lou Boudreau, Joe DiMaggio and Hank Greenberg lead the way.

When it's all said and done I think Pujols has to be the winner (unless he goes the way of Manny, ARod et. al)

If I had to rank them I would go with Pujols, Bench, Greenberg as my top three.

The Number 4 has some strong talent as well.

Lou Gehrig, Paul Molitor, Duke Snider and Ralph Kiner.

Gehrig is clearly the best, but it's still a pretty solid lineup.

Any thoughts out there? Any other numbers that could provide a bar room discussion or two?

[Demreb]

The number 8 has some strength associated with it as well.

Yogi Berra, Bill Dickey, Cal Ripken Jr, not to mention Barry Foote.

Part of the problem with this number endeavor is that a lot of the all-time great players played before numbers were used.

In the previous post I mentioned that Ruth would be considered the winner for #3. That's most likely the case, but he had some company. Jimmie Foxx and A-Rod also wore #3. A-Rod could have taken the title if not for his little foray into chemical lies. But let's not forget Herman Franks also wore number 3.