Athletes by the Number: 40 - 49

And now comes the post that so many people were waiting to see... the 40s...

40 - Henrik Zetterberg:  Like many of my numbers, a Detroit Red Wing comes in with the 4-0.  Hank has become a true leader on the Red Wings team and game-in and game-out he plays his heart out for the City of Detroit.  While an absolute goofball (that is his wedding picture), he would be my best guess to wear the captain's patch once Lidstrom retires.  Honorable mentions go to Gale Sayers and Pat Tillman.

41 - Dirk Nowitzki:  Dirk has been a star in the NBA for years now.  But, last summer, he officially flourished and lead his team to an NBA Championship.  He is 41.  Heck, his Twitter handle is @swish41 .

42 - Jerry Stackhouse:  This will be a highly debated one.  Forty-two is a bit of an honored number in my household.  I wore it in basketball.  My brothers have worn it.  We are big fans of the 4-2.  And, for me, it goes back to Stackhouse.  I chose to wear 42 because of Stack and that is who I think of.  Honorable mentions go out to Jackie Robinson, Mariano Rivera (who has an absolutely phenomenal entrance song), Michael Kielczewski, and now Aaron Schoenfeldt.

43 - Richard Petty:  While this may bring up the whole debate of whether or not car racing is a "sport" or if a driver is an "athlete", but "The King" is who I think of when I think of 43.  Petty made NASCAR what it is today.  An honorable mention goes out to Darren Helm.

44 - Todd Bertuzzi:  While the man probably isn't the NICEST guy out there, he is a a great athlete and is certainly the first one I think of in regards to 44.  Honorable mentions go out to Hank Aaron, George "The Iceman" Gervin, and Jerry West.

45 - Michael Jordan's Comeback:  This may not be an exactly normal one.  But, when people talk about "wearing the 4-5", they reference Jordan's Comeback.  The Bulls had retired 23 for Jordan, and so when he came out of retirement, he had to wear 45 until they took his number down from the rafters.  An honorable mention goes out to Rudy Tomjanovich.

46 - Andy Pettite:  Heck of a pitcher while with the Yankees.  He dominated the AL East year after year.  Lost of bit of his lore after it was revealed he had used steroids.

47 - Tom Glavine:  Heck of a pitcher while with the Braves.  He dominated the NL East year after year.  Lost a bit of his lore after joining the Mets. (Some absolute quality information given for both Glavine and Pettite no?)

48 - Torii Hunter:  Hunter played lights out defense while manning center field for the Minnesota Twins.  He has still played quite well for the Angels, but he truly had his all-star years in Minneapolis.

49 - Ron Guidry:  Four-time all star, two time World Series Champion, 1978 AL Cy Young Winner, and number retired by the Yankees... I'd say he best represents 49.

And that concludes 40-49... and... oh my... WE'VE REACHED THE HALF WAY POINT!