Dr. J, the Big O, Hammering Hank and the Iron Horse – by the numbers

Last week I gave you some iconic sports numbers and the athletes I associated with each. This week the saga continues. I gave you a list of numbers that would be included in today's column and you have had plenty of time to pick your favorite among those who sported each number.So without further adieu, here is the new list of numerals that we all can agree conjure up so many memories. We'll start with perhaps my all-time favorite athlete.The # 20. My thoughts immediately go to one man when this number comes up in conversation. I admired his ability. He could leave tacklers in the dust with a scintillating move, which made us mere mortals shaking our heads in disbelief.However for me, it was after he scored on yet another amazing touchdown run, that made me admire him even more. In today's world of sports, it seems that one has to have some kind of choreographed celebration to mark any achievement. And that drives me crazy. Getting a first down with two minutes left in a game that you are losing by 20-plus points is not cause for celebration in my book.Nevertheless that's exactly what you see these days. Call me old fashioned if you like, but I'll take Barry Sanders response any day. He simply handed the ball to the official and walked to the bench with a "that is what I do" look on his face. It's no wonder Barry Sanders is my top choice for the # 20.If you are looking for others though, I might suggest Mike Schmidt or Frank Robinson. Perhaps you have someone else in mind.The # 6. The aforementioned Dr. J. would be a nice choice here, but he may not be the most famous NBA player to wear the number. Bill Russell of the Boston Celtics comes to mind, but Julius Irving would be up there as well.Baseball fans might prefer Stan "The Man" Musial. The former St. Louis Cardinal outfielder had a wonderful career.The # 1. I'm going with Oscar Robertson here. The 'Big O' would put up a triple double nearly every night as the 6-6 stalwart out of Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis starred for the Cincinnati Royals. And this was before the triple-double was even a stat!Warren Moon, the Houston Oilers quarterback comes to mind as a good pick, along with the cartwheeling Ozzie Smith, shortstop for St. Louis. Some of you might give the nod to on again, off again, manager Billy Martin of the New York Yankees.The # 44. It would be hard not to choose Hank Aaron here. The home run that broke Babe Ruth's career mark is still etched into my memory. What he had to go through in pursuing the record is incredible. There were a lot of people that did not want to see the record broken. He faced death threats, but always behaved like the true gentleman that he was.Basketball fans might choose Jerry West. Can't argue with that choice. How about Willie McCovey or Reggie Jackson or Pete Maravich? All fine picks.The # 4. It would be hard to pass on Lou Gehrig for the greatest athlete to wear the number four. He is known for his streak of consecutive games played (The Iron Horse was an appropriate nickname) and unfortunately the disease that shortened his career and life. His numbers are outstanding and the speech he gave will be remembered forever.If you want other choices how about Brett Favre or Bobby Orr.The # 16. Two athletes come to mind for this number. I'm going with Joe Montana over Whitey Ford. Montana was the quarterback who led Notre Dame to a national championship. He would go on to the NFL where he led the San Francisco 49ers to four Super Bowl wins. He was the first player to be named Super Bowl MVP three times.That's enough for me to pick Joe, but Whitey Ford was a great pitcher for the New York Yankees and may have support for the top nod.The # 19. This one is tough. I'm going with Bob Feller of the then Cleveland Indians. Perhaps I am biased because I have always been a Cleveland sports fan, but his three no-hitters and 12 one-hitters attest to his ability. The fact that he gave up some of his prime years to serve during World War II makes this an easy choice.If you wanted to go with the likes of Willis Reed, Johnny Unitas, Tony Gwynn or Steve Yzerman I would not argue.The # 8. Another difficult pick. If you went with Kobe Bryant, Troy Aikman, Yogi Berra or Carl Yastrzemski few people would challenge your choice. I, though, am one that would.I'm going with Cal Ripken, Jr. I still remember the night he broke Gehrig's consecutive games played streak. The victory lap around the stadium when the game became official will always be remembered. The fact that he didn't take innings off late in a game that was already decided is admirable as well.The # 18. Does the word "Omaha" come to mind when discussing Peyton Manning? His incredible NFL career in Indianapolis and Denver was unmatched. He is my choice for this pick. If you would prefer Dave Cowens or Bobby Labonte... That's OK too.The # 42. Only one legitimate choice for this iconic number. Jack Roosevelt Robinson is known for breaking the color barrier in major league baseball. What he had to endure (including teammates who would not even acknowledge him) is hard to imagine. Yet he put up "numbers" that are extraordinary. Baseball has retired his number 42 and has a day to honor his legacy every season.There are some other 42's that could be given consideration including Ronnie Lott, James Worthy and Mariano Rivera, but Jackie is the pick.Rivera has the distinction of being the last player to wear the number after it was retired. He had sported the number his entire career and MLB decided to allow him to wear it until he retired. Actually everyone will wear the number for at least one day each season as all players wear # 42 on Jackie Robinson Day.One more week of sports numbers will follow. Here is the list for next week: 2 – 5 – 9 – 13 – 15 – 22 – 33 – 80 – 88 – 99. Time to put on your thinking cap.