Throughout all of Sports History, there’s a great argument to be had at who wore each number the best. Whether it be the Dolphins 13, the Chicago 23, or the Edmonton 99, some numbers remain forever synonymous with legends of the game. Here is the start of a weekly WLTL countdown where we give you the greatest athletes at every number.
#00 - Jim Otto (Honorable Mentions: Robert Parish and Ken Burrough)
The first number we have is perhaps the weirdest of numbers to choose from in sports, but it's one that still has some legendary figures in its past. Raiders legend Jim Otto is who we give the spotlight to. The longtime center originally wore the #50 in his rookie season, but then was convinced to change it to #00 by the team’s general manager Frank Hinek who suggested that it may lead to more recognition. Additionally, Otto enjoyed the pun on his name with the #00, and he had the longtime nickname of “Ott” which sounded like “aught” or 0 to him. The 1967 AFL Champion and Hall of Famer is one of the most iconic players in NFL history, and “The Original Raider” is a name synonymous with the glory days of Oakland football, and a player who will be forever remembered in the silver and black.
#0 - Russell Westbrook (Honorable Mentions: Gilbert Arenas and Al Oliver)
The number 0 came down to a fight between two infamous members of the NBA, but ultimately the 2017 league MVP took the honors as the greatest #0 of all time. Westbrook wore the number 4 throughout his high school career, but then switched to his now iconic 0 during his stint at UCLA. He was taken fourth overall by the Seattle Supersonics, who became the Oklahoma City Thunder 6 days later, and retained his number 0. The number saw him to 9 All Star selections, 2 All NBA First Team appearances, and an NBA Finals appearance for the Thunder. After an unsuccessful stint with the Lakers, Westbrook has had a career renaissance with the Nuggets as he has returned to his old high school #4 on a stacked Denver team with championship aspirations. Even as he chases his ring, it’s out of the question that Russell Westbrook has cemented his legacy in the number 0, and it's a number that will be iconic to Thunder fans forever.
#1 - Michael Schumacher (Honorable Mentions: Warren Moon and Petr Cech)
The number 1 has several notable athletes in its history, however one that stands above the rest is arguably the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time. While he drove under many numbers in his time, Michael Schumacher's time in the premier Ferrari #1 is one of the most well known rides in motorsports. After winning back to back World Championships with what many consider to be the worst car in F1 history to ever win the grand prize with Benetton, Schumy made the career defining move, coming to "The Prancing Horses". There was a harsh adjustment period, but it was in the 2000 season in his iconic #1 that he would win his first championship in red, swiftly followed by the next 4 consecutively. Schumacher is one of the greatest race car drivers of all time, and that #1 Ferrari will forever be an unforgettable part of F1 history. We still pray for his speedy recovery after his tragic accident.
#2 - Derek Jeter (Honorable Mentions: Moses Malone and Brian Leetch)
Number 2 managed to be both tough and unquestionable at the same time, and “The Captain” was who we decided to give the honors to for this one. Derek Jeter was drafted straight out of high school in 1992, and made his appearance in the majors in 1995. Jeter was already wearing the number 2 in his first appearance, however Nick Priore, the at the time Yankees equipment manager didn’t believe the young prospect was worthy of one of the Yankees’ two remaining unretired, single digit numbers. Going into spring training in 1996, the organization attempted to give him #19 which would certainly be a departure from the future we currently know. Though, it was through much pleading that Jeter was allowed to retain his number 2 for the team. He didn’t just wear it in his first full season, he earned it; winning the AL Rookie of the Year and the 1996 World Series for the team. Jeter retired with 14 All Stars and 4 more series wins to boot, and when you are naming Yankee legends, you’d be remiss to skip over “The Captain”.
#3 - Dale Earnhardt (Honorable Mentions: Babe Ruth and Allen Iverson)
The number 3 was a hard fought battle that was ultimately decided by this being a test of how iconic each number-athlete pairing was rather than which athlete was the greatest in their sport (although an argument could still be made for "The Intimidator" in this regard). Dale Earnhardt was a second generation driver when he joined the NASCAR Cup Series in 1975. Earnhardt originally drove the number 8, before switching to a ride that would itself become one of the most iconic rides in stock car racing: the yellow and blue Wrangler Jeans #15. Yet this wouldn’t even be Earnhardt’s most iconic ride. He was known as "The Man in Black" for a reason, and in 1988 he acquired sponsorship from GM Goodwrench which in turn coincided with a change of color and number to the car. Earnhardt’s black #3 is without a doubt in the running for the most iconic race car of all time, and the 7 time champion behind the wheel wasn’t bad himself. If it wasn’t for the tragedy on the last lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001, we could’ve seen him continue to win races throughout the 21st Century. Even then, what he accomplished behind the wheel of that black #3 forged his legendary stature in the racing world.
#4 - Bobby Orr (Honorable Mentions: Lou Gehrig and Brett Favre)
Number 4 was once again an extremely hard fought number with ironically yet another Yankees legend snubbed for the top spot. Bobby Orr made his regular season debut with the Boston Bruins in 1966, and he made that debut with a number that is now in the rafters at TD Garden. Orr’s number he used in the junior leagues (#2) was retired by the Bruins in honor of Eddie Shore, and the Bruins offered him the #5 which was previously worn by past Bruins star Dit Clapper, but Orr instead chose the #4 and the rest is history. He retired as a Blackhawk, but he will always be remembered as a legendary figure of Boston sports, and his cup clinching goal in the 1970 Stanley Cup Final (which fittingly has its own statue outside the Bruins’ arena) has hailed his legacy as one of the most iconic players in hockey history.
#5 - Joe DiMaggio (Honorable Mentions: Zinedine Zidane and Nicklas Lidstrom)
This time the Yankees legend finally came out on top. #5 was much easier to decide unlike the last few instances. When people think of classic baseball, they think of the glory days of the Yankees with Joe DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, and hall of farmers galore. DiMaggio wore the number 9 in his rookie year where he set the Yankee record for most home runs by a rookie which stood until Aaron Judge broke it in 2017. The next year would see DiMaggio take his iconic #5, and it saw him to a repeat World Series championship. The former Air Force Sergeant is one of the most decorated MLB players of all time with 9 championships to his name, and is synonymous with the legendary New York Yankees, and undoubtedly the greatest #5 of all time.
#6 - Bill Russell (Honorable Mentions: Julius Erving and Xavi)
The Celtics legend Bill Russell beat out the likes of Julius Erving and Xavi for the greatest #6 of all time. The 11-time champion and 12-time All Star has his #6 retired throughout the entire NBA. Russell was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in 1956, but was a draft day trade to the Boston Celtics. Russell didn’t play his rookie campaign and instead attended the olympics and won gold with the men’s basketball team. Upon his return, Russell led the Celtics to their first finals win in 1957 against the Hawks who drafted him, and later led the Celtics on their streak of 8 straight NBA Championships before becoming a player coach and leading them to two more before his eventual retirement. Russell is an icon of the NBA, and it's only fitting that he received the ultimate honor upon his passing of being one of three players to have their number retired league wide in their given sport.
#7 - Cristiano Ronaldo (Honorable Mentions: Mickey Mantle and John Elway)
What’s not to say about the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo? The soccer icon initially started with the number 28 for Sporting Club of Portugal, but then was transferred to Manchester United. Upon his arrival, the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson was prepared to give the young Ronaldo the legendary United #7 which had previously been worn by legends like David Beckham, Bryan Robson, George Best, and Eric Cantona. Though Ronaldo was initially hesitant to take the honor, he later accepted and the rest is history. Ronaldo wore that 7 to the 2004 FA Cup Final, and later the 2014 Club World Cup Final, and the 2017 Champions League Final, and onto the current day. He only briefly changed to the number 9 in 2009 when he joined Real Madrid to allow the iconic Raúl to retain his number in his final season, but then he retook the #7. Cristiano Ronaldo has earned his grace as easily the greatest Portuguese soccer player of all time, and undoubtedly the most iconic #7 in sports history.
#8 - Steve Young (Honorable Mentions: Troy Aikman and Cal Ripken Jr.)
The number 8 was yet another hard fought number, but ultimately we had to go with the iconic Steve Young. Young stayed local with BYU and won the Heisman in 1983, but the 8th stringer decided to take a season in the USFL before making his way to the NFL. After being traded from Tampa Bay, Young became the only 49er to wear the #8. He sat behind Joe Montana for several years before eventually taking over the starting job in 1991 following the legend’s retirement. Young led the 49ers to a Super Bowl victory in 1994, and won 2 MVPs along the way. Arguably the quarterback of the 90s, Young is someone who is often overshadowed by the legendary Montana before him, yet he carved his own legacy, and he took his place amongst the greatest QBs in NFL history.
#9 - Gordie Howe (Honorable Mentions: Bobby Hull and Ronaldo)
Last on our list for this week, we have the #9. It came down to two hockey legends (and an often shafted Brazilian soccer legend) for the honor, but we had to give it to “Mr. Hockey”. Gordie Howe joined the NHL in 1946 with the Detroit Red Wings. He initially wore #17, but was offered the #9 formerly held by Roy Conacher. Howe accepted the number change, although he only did so because having the number 9 meant that he was entitled to the lower bunk for team traveling. The good night's sleep seemed to help his performance, as Howe racked up goal after goal on the road to becoming a 4-time Stanley Cup Champion with the Red Wings. The ambidextrous superstar made his mark on the sport, and his legacy is cemented not only in his Cup wins, but his inspiration for several players who came after him like Modano, Yzerman, and, of course, Gretzky.