'The Numbers Game': Cowboys & More, Dallas' All-Time Best in Uniform List
WHITT'S END 6.23.23:
Whether you’re at the end of your coffee, your day, your week or even your rope, welcome to Whitt’s End …
It could be Dereck Lively II, whom the Dallas Mavericks acquired in Thursday night’s NBA Draft.
Who knows, might turn out to be Texas Rangers’ manager Bruce Bochy. Marcus Semien has a shot, but he’ll have to beat out a Stanley Cup champion, Dallas Cowboys’ returner KaVontae Turpin and (maybe) Kyrie Irving. Could even be dark horses such as Maxi Kleber or Josh Jung, or seemingly no-brainers like Dak Prescott and Dallas Stars’ captain Jamie Benn.
Where is it that all these sports stars are trying to elbowing their way into? Ascension onto DFW’s all-time roster.
None of them are yet on the fluid, fantastic list, but with time – and some luck – they’ll have their uniform number etched onto the all-time collection of our most iconic jerseys.
Assembling the roster is simple, yet stupefying. We've been doing it around here since 1995, and here we go ... One player – and only one – for every number in DFW sports history 00-99.
To determine which player wore it best, we must have both a vivid memory and a knack for appropriately weighing individual achievement, team success and esoteric, intangible “feel.” The criterion for determining which local athlete “owns” a specific number is both straightforward and subjective.
It’s not necessarily the best player to wear the number, but more so an associative combination of performance, personality, pizzazz and perseverance.
We envision 41 and it’s unanimous: Dirk Nowitzki. It’s indelible. Immortal.
Same with 7 belonging to Pudge Rodriguez, 8 to Troy Aikman, 12 to Roger Staubach, 29 to Adrian Beltre, 33 to Tony Dorsett, 34 to Nolan Ryan and, for better or worse, 42 evoking Roy Tarpley.
Easy, right?
Umm, how about 77 … Luka Doncic or Tyron Smith?
And who is No. 9 – Tony Romo or Mike Modano? Is No. 11 Yu Darvish, Danny White, J.J. Barea, or has Micah Parsons already made it his own? Is 22 the Cowboys’ best rusher (Emmitt Smith), their fastest runner (Bob Hayes) or the Mavs’ second all-time scorer (Rolando Blackman)? Who conjures 19 – Eric Dickerson or Juan Gonzalez? At 20 there’s a titanic tug-of-war between a baseball MVP (Jeff Burroughs), a Stanley Cup champion (Ed Belfour) and an NFL Hall of Famer (Mel Renfro). And which Cowboys’ receiver is the definitive 88?
You get the point.
A picture may be worth a thousand words, but an assemblage of our DFW Dream Team is surely is worth at least a couple lively debates.
So grab a beer, choose a side and … pick a number.
00 Eric Montross, Mavericks – The original beats out JaVale McGee.
0 Al Oliver, Rangers – Razor thin between Rangers’ all-time leading hitter and Mavs’ title-winning Shawn Marion.
1 Elvis Andrus, Rangers – Cowboys’ kicker Rafael Septien only one in his neighborhood.
2 Derian Hatcher, Stars – Irving and Semien potentially lurking.
3 Alex Rodriguez, Rangers – We’re pulling for you, Brandin Cooks and Jaden Hardy.
4 Michael Finley, Mavericks – Prescott poised, but not yet.
5 LaDanian Tomlinson, TCU – Jason Kidd switched to 2 for title run or this would be his; Corey Seager trending.
6 Tyson Chandler, Mavericks – If Jung’s defense brings Rangers their first championship, we’ll be open for discussion.
7 Ivan Rodriguez, Rangers – Trevon Diggs shouldn’t have switched from 27. Zero change.
8 Troy Aikman, Cowboys – Bet you a nickel Mavs’ Josh Green doesn’t threaten.
9 Mike Modano, Stars – Cup tilts scales over Romo’s stats.
10 Michael Young, Rangers – Tad grittier captain than Stars’ Brenden Morrow.
11 Yu Darvish, Rangers – With a smidge of team success, it belongs to Micah.
12 Roger Staubach, Cowboys – Mavs’ Derek Harper is an icon and Rangers’ Rougned Odor threw that one punch, but there is no debate. Ever.
13 Steve Nash, Mavericks – Rangers’ Joey Gallo and Mavs’ Jalen Brunson had their shots; Cowboys’ Michael Gallup still has his.
14 Julio Franco, Rangers – Benn needs a ring to overtake ’91 batting champ.
15 Brad Davis, Mavericks – His banner hangs in AAC rafters, but a Bochy World Series in Arlington changes dynamic.
16 Brett Hull, Stars – You’ve got miles to go, Joe Pavelski.
17 Don Meredith, Cowboys – Ditto for you, Nathan Eovaldi.
18 Mitch Moreland, Rangers – Cowboys’ Chris Boniol made seven field goals in a game, but he never came within one strike of winning a World Series.
19 Juan Gonzalez, Rangers – Two-time MVP holding off Dickerson’s Pony Express.
20 Mel Renfro, Cowboys – Stars’ Cup goalie Ed Belfour no match for 10 Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl rings and inductions in the Ring of Honor and Hall of Fame.
21 Deion Sanders, Cowboys – Huge persona edge Ezekiel Elliott’s gigantic statistics. Good luck, Stephon Gilmore!
22 Emmitt Smith, Cowboys – Unprecedented production noses out Hayes’ legendary speed and Blackman’s legacy of points. Good luck, Jon Gray!
23 Mark Teixeira, Rangers – Who’d you expect, Cowboys’ fall-from-grace Dwayne Goodrich?
24 Mark Aguirre, Mavericks – He and the Cowboys’ Everson Walls have eerily similar resumes.
25 Joe Nieuwendyk, Stars – Steroid-slugger Rafael Palmeiro?
26 Johnny Oates, Rangers – Who knew Jere Lehtinen’s number was retired by Stars?
27 Thomas Everett, Cowboys – Toldja Diggs should’ve kept 27.
28 Darren Woodson, Cowboys – You’ve got miles – and three championships – to go, Jonah Heim.
29 Adrian Beltre, Rangers – You’ll never get there, Jake Oettinger.
30 Dan Reeves, Cowboys – See above, Nathaniel Lowe.
31 Fergie Jenkins, Rangers – Gotta admit, George Teague knocking T.O. off Texas Stadium’s star made me pause.
32 Josh Hamilton, Rangers – Cowboys’ fullback Walt Garrison’s tougher, but not – grudgingly – better.
33 Tony Dorsett, Cowboys – Hmm, Uwe Blab? Nah, we’re good.
34 Nolan Ryan, Rangers – Hmm, Herschel Walker? Nah, we’re good.
35 John Wetteland, Rangers – Cowboys’ running back Calvin Hill got a head start and Mavs’ forward Christian Wood is getting a late start. Rangers’ best closer safe.
36 Bobby Witt, Rangers – Slim pickings when Cowboys’ safety Vince Albritton is runner-up.
37 Doak Walker, SMU – Rangers’ pitcher Kenny Rogers had a better moment, but Doak the much better legacy.
38 Ron Washington, Rangers – Cowboys’ safety Jeff Heath was scrappy, but …
39 Scott Feldman, Rangers – Cowboys’ cornerback Brandon Carr honorable(?) mention.
40 Bill Bates, Cowboys – Rangers’ portly pitcher Bartolo Colon had his moments, just not nearly enough of them.
41 Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks – Apologies to Charlie Waters. Should’ve went with … 36?
42 Roy Tarpley, Mavericks – Kleber trying to erase some ugly-yet-vivid memories.
43 Cliff Harris, Cowboys – Hall of Famer edges Cowboy’s Ring-of-Honor running back, Don Perkins.
44 Robert Newhouse, Cowboys – Human bowling ball over Mavs’ 7-foot-6 disappointment Shawn Bradley.
45 Derek Holland, Rangers – Streak by Mavs’ A.C. Green was more quantity than quality.
46 Mark Washington, Cowboys – For all the wrong reasons in Super Bowl X.
47 Dexter Clinkscale, Cowboys – Not that he is bullet-proof, but essentially running unopposed.
48 Daryl Johnston, Cowboys – Did/does Rangers’ pitcher Jacob deGrom have a shot? (Spoiler alert: Nope.)
49 Charlie Hough, Rangers – All-time best pitcher has a stranglehold that is unapproached.
50 D.D. Lewis, Cowboys – What, you expected Mavs’ big man Salah Mejri?
51 Ken Norton Jr., Cowboys – What, you expected Mavs’ big man Boban Marjanovic?
52 Dexter Coakley, Cowboys – Calvin Booth made one of the most memorable shots in Mavs history, but was a one-and-done.
53 Mark Stepnoski, Cowboys – Rangers’ Adolis Garcia has more talent, but Step owns two rings.
54 Randy White, Cowboys – Astonishingly, Chuck Howley doesn’t own it despite six Pro Bowls, a Super Bowl ring, Super Bowl MVP and a place in the Cowboys Ring of Honor.
55 Lee Roy Jordan, Cowboys – Cowboys’ linebacker Leighton Vander Esch has an outside shot; Mavs’ guard Mike Iuzzolino has no shot at all.
56 Sergei Zubov, Stars – His stick-handling trumps Cowboys’ Hollywood Henderson’s trash-talking.
57 Vinson Smith, Cowboys – See 47.
58 Mike Hegman, Cowboys – You know it’s a spare number when Rangers’ reliever Alex Claudio is the runner-up.
59 Jeff Zimmerman, Rangers – Cowboys’ linebacker Dat Nguyen is in the debate.
60 Don Smerek, Cowboys – Sad that former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel didn’t wrestle this away from forgettable Cowboy. But he didn’t.
61 Nate Newton, Cowboys – Lopsided – yet fascinating – battle with Rangers’ bust Chan Ho Park.
62 John Fitzgerald, Cowboys – Thought Rangers’ pitching prospect A.J. Alexy was destined for this one. Thought wrong.
63 Mike Ribeiro, Stars – Edges underrated Cowboys’ defensive lineman Larry Cole.
64 Tom Rafferty, Cowboys – Alexi Ogando actually pitched in a World Series wearing this one.
65 Andre Gurode, Cowboys – See 47, 57.
66 George Andrie, Cowboys – Unheralded member of original “Doomsday Defense.”
67 Pat Donovan, Cowboys – Four-time Pro Bowler won a ring protecting Staubach in Super Bowl XII.
68 Herb Scott, Cowboys – The guy who caught Staubach’s final pass over Stars’ cameo by Jaromir Jagr.
69 George Hegamin, Cowboys – Worst number on our roster; never worn by a Mav, Ranger or Star.
70 Rayfield Wright, Cowboys – Zack Martin gaining ground on Hall-of-Fame offensive lineman; Dennis Rodman’s antics an embarrassment to this one.
71 Mark Tuinei, Cowboys – Dominant left tackle who opened holes for Emmitt Smith and won three Super Bowl rings before dying of accidental drug overdose in 1999.
72 Ed “Too Tall” Jones, Cowboys – You’ve got miles to go, Jonathan Hernandez.
73 Larry Allen, Cowboys – Tyler Smith maybe, someday?
74 Bob Lilly, Cowboys – There is no second place behind “Mr. Cowboy.”
75 Jethro Pugh, Cowboys – See 47, 57, 65.
76 John Niland, Cowboys – 1960-70s offensive lineman has one more Pro Bowl, one more Super Bowl than Flozell Adams.
77 Tyron Smith, Cowboys – Someday soon this will belong to 24-year-old Luka, but for now it’s associated with the dominant 32-year-old offensive lineman with eight Pro Bowls and an All-Decade Team honor on his mantle.
78 Leon Lett, Cowboys – Unopposed, for some unforgettably cringy moments.
79 Harvey Martin, Cowboys – Super Bowl XII co-MVP. No-brainer.
80 Tony Hill, Cowboys – ’80s receiver had better career, though ’90s receiver Alvin Harper had bigger moment in NFC Championship Game.
81 Terrell Owens, Cowboys – Our ultimate eyesore comes down to T.O. or the guy who dropped a sure touchdown in Super Bowl XIII, Jackie Smith.
82 Jason Witten, Cowboys – Will own it forever once he’s inducted into Canton in 2026.
83 Golden Richards, Cowboys – Kelvin Martin made some key plays for Cowboys in the ’90s, but none as memorable as his touchdown catch in Super Bowl XII.
84 Jay Novacek, Cowboys – Rangers’ slugger Prince Fielder a reputable runner-up.
85 Kevin Williams, Cowboys – See 47, 57, 65, 75.
86 Butch Johnson, Cowboys – Two words: California. Quake.
87 Jay Saldi, Cowboys – One of coach Tom Landry’s favorite all-time special teams contributors
88 Michael Irvin, Cowboys – There’s Drew Pearson, Dez Bryant and even CeeDee Lamb starting to tiptoe into the conversation. And lest we forget about the Stars’ Eric Lindross experiment. It’s poker table of solid hands, but three Super Bowl rings, a place in Canton and a mega-watt persona wins the pot.
89 Mike Ditka, Cowboys – Billie Joe Dupree, a very honorable mention.
90 DeMarcus Lawrence, Cowboys – He’s finally wrestled it away from Jay Ratliff, but barely.
91 Tyler Seguin, Stars – Gave careful consideration to Cowboys’ 16-season long-snapper L.P. Ladouceur.
92 DeShawn Stevenson, Mavericks – Cowboys’ defensive lineman Tony Tolbert had a better career, but he helped shut down LeBron James in 2011 NBA Finals.
93 Anthony Spencer, Cowboys – See 47, 57, 65, 75, 85.
94 Charles Haley, Cowboys – He and DeMarcus Ware give this jersey a pretty salty 1-2 punch.
95 Chad Hennings, Cowboys – Could own it on character alone. But also won three Super Bowl rings.
96 Marcus Spears, Cowboys – It’s not really what he did, but more so what ’90s first-round draft busts Shante Carver and Ebeneezer Ekuban didn’t do in the same jersey.
97 La’Roi Glover, Cowboys – Yes, Pro Bowl defensive lineman somehow beat out Taco Charlton.
98 Greg Ellis, Cowboys – A better, more productive version of Tyrone Crawford.
99 Chris Canty, Cowboys – Post-career media presence helps us forget 1985 first-round draft bust Kevin Brooks.
*This Weekend? Colorado Cool. Headed for some R&R in the Rockies. As always, don’t be a stranger.
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