Best Baseball Players by Number: 0-22

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jan 21, 2013

Best Baseball Players by Number: 0-22

No. 0

One of the premier hitters of his era, Oliver had 2,743 career hits and a .303 average over 18 major league seasons. He played in seven All-Star games and placed among his league's top 10 batters on nine occasions. Runner-up: Rey Ordonez (Mets)

No. 00

He wore 00 for the Padres during part of the 1990 season, hitting 25 homers and 62 RBIs in 334 at-bats. Over his 18-year career Clark hit 340 homers with 1,180 RBIs. ''It's distinctive. It's fresh, not your basic number,'' Clark said in 1990 when asked why he shifted from No. 25. ''It's your basic non-number.'' Runner-up: Jeffrey Leonard (Brewers, Mariners) Worthy of consideration: Tony Clark (Mets), Cliff Johnson (Blue Jays)

No. 1/8

In the second game of a doubleheader on Aug. 19, 1951, the 3-foot-7 Gaedel entered the game for the Browns (against the Tigers) as a pinch hitter for leadoff batter Frank Saucier. He walked on four pitches and finished his major league career with an on-base percentage of 1.000.

No. 1

Oh baby, was he good. In 22 seasons as the Yomiuri Giants' first baseman, Oh hit 868 home runs, 106 more than Barry Bonds. He led the Japan League in home runs 15 times. Runner-up: Ozzie Smith Worthy of consideration: Richie Ashburn, Earle Combs, Bobby Doerr, George Kell, Chuck Klein (Phillies), Billy Martin, Pee Wee Reese and Lou Whitaker

No. 2

The Yankees' shortstop hit .313 over his first 18 seasons, has appeared in 13 All-Star games and won five World Series titles. Runner-up: Charlie Gehringer Worthy of consideration: Nellie Fox, Jimmie Foxx (Philadelphia Athletics, 1935) and Red Schoendienst

No. 3

Ruth didn't wear No. 3 regularly, nor did Lou Gehrig wear his famous No. 4 until Opening Day 1929, when the Yankees officially decided to wear numbers. By then, the Bambino was a legend. Runner-up: Jimmie Foxx (Philadelphia Athletics, Red Sox) Worthy of consideration: Earl Averill, Harold Baines, Kiki Cuyler (Cubs), Harmon Killebrew, Dale Murphy, Alex Rodriguez (Mariners and Rangers) and Bill Terry

No. 4

The Iron Horse won two MVP awards, one Triple Crown and set the standard for toughness and durability by playing in a then record 2,130 consecutive games. Runner-up: Paul Molitor Worthy of consideration: Luke Appling, Joe Cronin, Buck Leonard, Ralph Kiner, Mel Ott, Duke Snider and Hack Wilson (Brooklyn Dodgers)

No. 5

The 56-game hitting streak. A three-time MVP. Spouse of Marilyn Monroe. DiMaggio played his entire career (1936-1951) for the Yankees and hit .325 with 361 home runs. Runner-up: Johnny Bench Worthy of consideration: Jeff Bagwell, Lou Boudreau, George Brett, Nomar Garciaparra, Hank Greenberg, Albert Pujols and Brooks Robinson

No. 6

Sports Illustrated named him its Sportsman of the Year in 1957, but The Man was a sportsman for all years. Musial played in 24 All-Star Games, won three MVP Awards and hit .331 with 475 home runs, 3,630 hits and seven batting titles. Runner-up: Al Kaline Worthy of consideration: Paul Blair, Steve Garvey, Ryan Howard, Monte Irvin and Tony Oliva

No. 7

The iconic 1950s baseball player, Mantle played on seven World Series winners and won three MVP awards (1956, '57, '62). He clobbered 536 career homers over 18 seasons with the Yankees. Runner-up: Al Simmons Worthy of consideration: Craig Biggio and Ivan Rodriguez

No. 8

Ripken played in a record 2,632 consecutive games for the Orioles, setting a sporting standard for work ethic. He played 21 seasons in Baltimore, hitting 431 home runs and earning an All-Star selection each year of his career. Runner-up: Yogi Berra Worthy of consideration: Gary Carter, Bill Dickey, Joe Morgan, Willie Stargell and Carl Yastrzemski

No. 9

The greatest hitter in the 20th century? Teddy Ballgame won two Triple Crowns, hit .406 in 1941 and had a lifetime average of .344 Runner-up: Roger Maris Worthy of consideration: Reggie Jackson (A's), Minnie Minoso, Graig Nettles, Bill Mazeroski, Enos Slaughter and Joe Torre.

No. 10

Over 21 seasons Dawson hit 438 home runs, knocked in 1,591 runs and played in eight All-Star games. He was also a gifted outfielder, winning Gold Gloves in seven seasons. In 1987, he was named the National League MVP. Runner-up: Lefty Grove Worthy of consideration: Lyman Bostock, Chipper Jones, Phil Rizzuto, Ron Santo, Rusty Staub, Miguel Tejada and Lloyd Waner (Pirates)

No. 11

Starring with brother Lloyd in the Pirates outfield, ''Big Poison'' had more than 200 hits in eight seasons and was voted the 1927 National League MVP. Waner finished with 3,152 hits and a .333 lifetime average. He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1952. Runner-up: Luis Aparicio Worthy of consideration: George Bell, Carl Hubbell, Barry Larkin and Jimmy Rollins

No. 12

On the short list for the game's greatest second baseman, the 12-time All-Star led the Blue Jays to consecutive World Series titles in 1992 and 1993. Alomar finished his career with 2,724 hits. Runner-up: Willis Hudlin Worthy of consideration: Wade Boggs (Rays)

No. 13

He's won three MVPs (and finished second twice), is a 14-time All-Star, and he's performed at star levels at both shortstop and third base. In 2009 he admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs while playing for the Rangers during a three-year period beginning in 2001. Runner-up: Dave Concepcion Worthy of consideration: Ralph Branca, Carl Crawford, Omar Vizquel and Billy Wagner

No. 14

Character aside, it's hard to argue with the production: Rose owns the major league record for most hits (4,256), games played (3,562) and at-bats (14,053). Runner-Up: Ernie Banks Worthy of consideration: Ken Boyer, Jim Bunning, Larry Doby, Andres Galarraga, Kent Hrbek, Lou Piniella and Jim Rice

No. 15

The heart of the Yankee teams in the 1970s, Munson was a seven-time All-Star and helped lead his team to three World Series, including two titles. The catcher was the first Yankee captain since Gehrig. He died, at 32, in an airplane accident on Aug 2, 1979. Runner-up: Dick Allen Worthy of consideration: Carlos Beltran, Tim Hudson, Davey Johnson (Orioles) and Red Ruffing

No. 16

Ford started more games (22), pitched more innings (154) and struck out more batters (94) than any other pitcher in World Series history. His .690 winning percentage (career record: 236-106) is among the highest winning percentages of starters with 200 decisions. In 1961 he led the AL with a 25-4 record. Runner-up: Hal Newhouser Worthy of consideration: Garret Anderson, Dwight Gooden, Bo Jackson, Ted Lyons, Scott McGregor and Frank Viola

No. 17

Putting the gas in the Cardinals' ''Gas House Gang,'' Dean had four 20-win seasons, four consecutive NL strikeout titles (1932-35) and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1953. He was 30-7 with a 2.66 ERA in 1934, winning the MVP award. Runner-up: Mark Grace Worthy of consideration: Lance Berkman, Todd Helton, Vic Raschi and Brandon Webb

No. 18

The ''Chief'' finished with a 223-186 record over 18 seasons. He was a four-time All-Star and had two 20-win seasons. Runner-up: Ted Kluszewski Worthy of consideration: Moises Alou, Darryl Strawberry and Andy Van Slyke

No. 19

Pick a nickname: Rapid Robert. The Heater from Van Meter. One thing is certain: Feller threw gas. He compiled a 266-162 record with 2,581 strikeouts and a 3.25 ERA. Feller was an eight-time All-Star and led the AL in wins six times. Runner-up: Robin Yount Worthy of consideration: Josh Beckett, Junior Gilliam, Tony Gwynn, Fred Lynn, Dave McNally and Billy Pierce

No. 20

At 24 Schmidt was a career .197 hitter after more than 400 at-bats. Eight home-run titles later -- and with 548 total dingers for his career -- Schmidt makes most all-time teams. Runner-up: Frank Robinson Worthy of consideration: Lou Brock, Jorge Posada, Don Sutton, Pie Traynor and Frank White

No. 21

He is remembered as much for his humanitarianism as he is for his all-around game. Clemente won four batting titles, 12 Gold Glove awards and finished his career with 3,000 hits. He died at 38, in 1972, when a cargo plane carrying supplies and food to Nicaragua crashed with him aboard. Runner-up: Roger Clemens (Red Sox, Blue Jays) Worthy of consideration: Curt Flood, Bob Lemon, Sammy Sosa (Cubs) and Warren Spahn

No. 22

Three Cy Youngs, 268 victories, a .638 winning percentage and eight 20-win seasons. Palmer finished with a 2.86 ERA over 19 years and pitched his entire career without allowing a grand slam. Runner-up: Roger Clemens (Yankees, Astros) Worthy of consideration: Brett Butler (Dodgers), Jack Clark (Cardinals, Giants), Will Clark and Jimmy Key (Blue Jays)

Best Baseball Players by Number: 0-22