Best Athletes by Number: 32-65

SI Staff | Jun 8, 2009

Best Athletes by Number: 32-65 /

Best Athletes by Number: 32-65

No. 32

No other number has produced more top-end players, but Magic gets the nod for his five NBA championships and for revolutionizing the point guard position. Runner-up: Jim Brown Worthy of consideration: Marcus Allen, Steve Carlton, Julius Erving (ABA's Nets), Franco Harris, Sandy Koufax, Karl Malone, Shaquille O'Neal (Heat), O.J. Simpson, Bill Walton.

No. 33

Another loaded number. Jabbar owns numerous NBA records, including, most famously, career points (38,387). He is a six-time NBA champion (1971, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988). Runner-up: Larry Bird Worthy of consideration: Sammy Baugh, Tony Dorsett, Patrick Ewing, Scottie Pippen, Patrick Roy.

No. 34

Sweet in disposition and talent. Payton retired as the NFL's alltime leading rusher (16,726) and is considered by many to be the NFL's greatest running back. Runner-up: Bo Jackson. Worthy of consideration: Earl Campbell, Rollie Fingers, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal (Lakers), Kirby Puckett, Nolan Ryan, Herschel Walker (college).

No. 35

With a dancing knuckleball and savvy beyond his years, Niekro won 318 games during a 24-year career. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1997. Runner-up: Frank Thomas. Worthy of consideration: Doc Blanchard, Tony Esposito, Rickey Henderson.

No. 36

He won 286 games for the Phillies -- including six 20-win seasons -- and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1976. Runner-up: Jerome Bettis. Worthy of consideration: Meadowlark Lemon, Gaylord Perry.

No. 37

One of college football's greatest performers -- he starred at SMU at running back, defensive back and kicking -- Walker was a four-time Pro Bowler for Detroit and led the NFL in scoring in 1950 and 1955. Runner-up: Casey Stengel. Worthy of consideration: Shaun Alexander, Lester Hayes.

No. 38

His blog (38pitches.com) contains his number. Here are a couple of others: a 213-142 career record, 3,086 strikeouts, and two World Series titles with two franchises (Diamondbacks and Red Sox). Runner-up: George Rogers. Worthy of consideration: Rocky Colavito.

No. 39

"Campy" won the National League's MVP three times, and set a single-season record for catchers with 41 home runs in 1951. Runner-up: Larry Csonka. Worthy of consideration: Dominik Hasek, Dave Parker.

No. 40

Has anyone looked more graceful on a football field? Sayers' career was cut short by injuries but he still managed to finish with 9,435 combined net yards. Runner-up: Crazy Legs Hirsch. Worthy of consideration: Bill Laimbeer, Mike Haynes.

No. 41

A three-time Cy Young Award winner, "Tom Terrific" won 311 games and set a National League record with 3,272 strikeouts. Runner-up: Eddie Mathews. Worthy of consideration: Dirk Nowitzki, Glen Rice, Wes Unseld.

No. 42

His No. 42 was retired by baseball on April 15, 1997, the 50th anniversary of his debut. Robinson wore No. 18 as a basketball player at UCLA. Runner-up: Ronnie Lott. Worthy of consideration: Sid Luckman, Mariano Rivera, James Worthy.

No. 43

Nobody tops the King -- a seven-time Winston Cup champion -- for this crown. Runner-up: Dennis Eckersley. Worthy of consideration: Jack Sikma.

No. 44

Little known fact: Aaron switched to 44 after wearing 5 in his rookie season of 1954. Good call, Hammer. Runner-up: Jerry West. Worthy of consideration: Jim Brown (college), Ernie Davis (college), George Gervin, Reggie Jackson, Pete Maravich, Willie McCovey.

No. 45

Just in case you've forgotten: a 2.81 career ERA, three Cy Youngs and a 206-92 (.691 winning percentage) career record. Barely over Gibby. Runner-up: Bob Gibson. Worthy of consideration: Kenny Easley, Archie Griffin.

No. 46

Yeah, we know, but Smith is the best of a weak lot. He had 478 saves and finished 802 games. Runner-up: Andy Pettitte. Worthy of consideration: Todd Christensen, Chuck Muncie.

No. 47

The best cornerback of his era and a four-time champion with the Steelers. He was the NFL's defensive MVP in 1975 and played in five Pro Bowls. Runner-up: Tom Glavine. Worthy of consideration: Jack Morris.

No. 48

The reigning NASCAR champion has emerged as one of the sport's premier stars. He's won 27 races and has 119 top-ten finishes. And he's only 31. Runner-up: Sam McDowell.

No. 49

His 1978 season: 25-3 with a 1.74 ERA, 16 complete games and nine shutouts. Runner-up: Bobby Mitchell.

No. 50

The Admiral set San Antonio on its current dynastic course, winning the MVP in 1995 and two championships. He's also the only male basketball player in U.S. history to appear in three Olympic Games. Runner-up: Mike Singletary. Worthy of consideration: Rebecca Lobo, Dave Rimington, Ralph Sampson (college).

No. 51

Butkus remains the standard by which all middle linebackers are judged. He was named to eight straight Pro Bowls. Runner-up: Ichiro Suzuki. Worthy of consideration: Randy Johnson, Trevor Hoffman.

No. 52

The NFL's current standard bearer at middle linebacker is a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He enters his 12th season in 2007. Runner-up: Mike Webster. Worthy of consideration: Buck Williams.

No. 53

If Koufax didn't get you, this guy would. Drysdale completed 167 of his 465 starts. Runner-up: Harry Carson. Worthy of consideration: Artis Gilmore, Randy Gradishar.

No. 54

Don't get mad, Goose. White was one of the best linemen of his era. He missed one game in 14 years. Runner-up: Rich Gossage. Worthy of consideration: Brian Urlacher.

No. 55

Tough call over Junior Seau, but Hershiser gets the nod for his postseason numbers. He was 7-5 with a 2.59 ERA in 12 playoff games. Runner-up: Junior Seau. Worthy of consideration: Derrick Brooks, Lee Roy Jordan, Dikembe Mutumbo.

No. 56

Other than Michael Jordan, this might be the easiest choice. Runner-up: Chris Doleman. Worthy of consideration: Andre Tippett.

No. 57

He's why Dan Marino still looks good on television. The Dolphins center was elected to five consecutive Pro Bowls during the 1980s and started in 80 consecutive games until the 1987 season. Runner-up: Clay Matthews. Worthy of consideration: Johan Santana, Johnny Vander Meer.

No. 58

A vicious tackler and two-time Defensive Player of the Year for the Steelers, Lambert played in nine straight Pro Bowls (1976-84). Runner-up: Derrick Thomas.

No. 59

Played his outside linebacker position for the Steelers with surgical precision: 25 sacks, 21 opponents' fumbles recovered and 32 interceptions. Runner-up: Seth Joyner.

No. 60

Paul Brown's perfect quarterback: Under Graham the Browns played in 10 straight titles games and won four AAFC and three NFL Championships. Runner-up: Chuck Bednarik.

No. 61

No, we're not going with Chan Ho Park. Culp (shown here wearing No. 78 with the Oilers) was a forerunner of the ''nose guard'' position, and starred on the Chiefs and Oilers lines in the '70s. Runner-up: Bill George.

No. 62

One of the finest centers in NFL history, he anchored the Dolphins line during the 1970s. Langer was named All-Pro six straight years, from 1973 to 1977. Runner-up: Guy McIntyre.

No. 63

Lanier, an All-Pro every year from 1968 through 1977, was the first African-American star at middle linebacker. He played his entire 11-year career for the Chiefs. Runner-up: Lee Roy Selmon. Worthy of consideration: Dermontti Dawson, Gene Upshaw.

No. 64

The Packer guard might have thrown the most famous block in NFL history, opening a hole for Bart Starr's game-winning sneak in the famed Ice Bowl (the 1967 NFL championship). Runner-up: Randall McDaniel. Worthy of consideration: Jack (Hacksaw) Reynolds.

No. 65

Bethea heads a number that's light on stars. An eight-time Pro Bowl selection at defensive end for the Oilers, he recorded (unofficially) 105 career sacks. Runner-up: Gary Zimmerman.

Published Jun 8, 2009

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