Only three more posts to go... so close, yet so far... here we go...
70 - Rayfield Wright: Wore 70 for the Dallas Cowboys. Played mostly at offensive tackel. Is in the Hall of Fame. Sounds good enough for me. (I will admit, I had to look up this one... Struggled to come up with a 70.)
71 - Evgeni Malkin: A bit of a shadow behind Sidney Crosby in Pittsburgh, Malkin is the Jagr in Pittsburgh's current tag-team. He assisted in leading the Penguins to the 2009 Stanley Cup.
72 - Dan Dierdorf: A "Michigan Man", Dierdorf starred for the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Cardinals. He is an NFL Hall of Famer. He even spent some time in the booth of Monday Night Football. I'd give it to him.
73 - Dennis Rodman: I know Rodman wore a bunch of numbers throughout his career, but a buddy of mine had his 7-3 Lakers jersey, and I certainly remember that one.
74 - Bruce Matthews: Recent NFL Hall of Famer. Played over three different decades for the Oiler/Titans Franchise and now coaching with them. Respect...
75 - Howie Long: A Raider among Raiders. Long, a Hall of Fame defensive end, now assists in hosting the Fox Sunday NFL Pre-Game show. Oh, and his son is pretty good too... Honorable mentions to David Baas while at Michigan and "Mean" Joe Green.
76 - Steve Hutchinson: An All-Pro offensive lineman and a "Michigan Man" as well, Hutchinson has played outstandingly well for both the Seattle Seahawks and Minnesota Vikings, paving the way for running backs Shaun Alexander and Adrian Peterson. An honorable mention goes to his former teammate and longtime Detroit Lion Jeff Backus.
77 - Jon Jansen: Jansen was a force while at Michigan. He was a captain of the 1998 National Championship squad. He was a big man with a bigger heart. I had the chance to meet him when I was younger and he was nothing but kind. I have nothing but respect for the man. Extremely honorable mentions go out to another 77 from Michigan, 2008 NFL Draft 1st Pick Jake Long, and NHL great Ray Bourque.
78 - Bruce Smith: One of the few former Buffalo Bills that I can actually remember.
79 - Alexei Yashin: Much like a few of my previous choices, Yashin's connection to 79 has a lot to do with my previous play of EA Sports' NHL series. Although I would also say he is one of the greatest to ever wear the number. Mainly because so few have worn it.
2 MORE POSTS TO GO! Oh! Em! Gee! See you soon!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Athletes by the Number: 60 - 69
Well, I figure I need to finish this list, don't I? That being the case, here's 60 - 69...
60 - Otto Graham: The man... the myth... the legend... and one of the few Cleveland Brown "greats."
61 - Rick Nash: He hasn't won a Stanley Cup yet, but man, he is one heck of a player. It is unfortunate that he has had to watch his career go down the pooper in Columbus.
62 - Joba Chamberlain: Pretty good pitcher with the Yankees. To be honest, I can't really think of any other players that have worn 62. I'm sure there are others... but... what can I do?
63 - Gene Upshaw: I would certainly put him under the list as "one of the greats" for the Raiders. He may not have played while I was alive, but I watch enough NFL Films to know.
64 - Randall McDaniel: Only reason I really remember him as 64 would be one of my first football cards. Other than that, let's be honest... unless you are a diehard Vikings fan, you wouldn't remember him...
65 - Phil Hughes: Again, much like the Joba Chamberlain situation, I just can't particularly think of any other 65's. I suppose these two Yankees come to mind mostly because of them being... well... Yankees.
66 - Mario Lemieux: Arguably the third greatest hockey player ever? Super Mario will always define Pittsburgh hockey. I don't care how good Sidney Crosby is, Mario Lemieux was, is, and forever will be Penguins Hockey.
67 - Michael Frolik: Can't think of too many other's wearing the 67. But, from playing EA Sports' wonderful "NHL" series, I do know of Michael Frolik.
68 - Jaromir Jagr: He was the jelly to Mario Lemieux's peanut butter in making the Pittsburgh Penguins into the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions that they were. Although he has been around the league a bit at this point, he will forever be a Pittsburgh Penguin to me. An honorable mention goes out to Michigan's own Mike Martin. Even through the rough "Rich Rod" years, Mike played as tough as he could.
69 - Mark Schlereth: Although he is loved by many in Denver, the former NFL lineman and now ESPN NFL analyst has become a bit of a Detroit sports figure with his son pitching for the Tigers. I'll never forget watching him stand up and sing "The Victors" when his son was pitching for the Arizona Wildcats against Michigan. It would be easy to say that he got a bit caught up in the moment.
I will do my best to be a bit more current with these posts... I certainly want to finish this soon. Hey, if you're lucky, maybe I'll even do another one before the end of the day...
60 - Otto Graham: The man... the myth... the legend... and one of the few Cleveland Brown "greats."
61 - Rick Nash: He hasn't won a Stanley Cup yet, but man, he is one heck of a player. It is unfortunate that he has had to watch his career go down the pooper in Columbus.
62 - Joba Chamberlain: Pretty good pitcher with the Yankees. To be honest, I can't really think of any other players that have worn 62. I'm sure there are others... but... what can I do?
63 - Gene Upshaw: I would certainly put him under the list as "one of the greats" for the Raiders. He may not have played while I was alive, but I watch enough NFL Films to know.
64 - Randall McDaniel: Only reason I really remember him as 64 would be one of my first football cards. Other than that, let's be honest... unless you are a diehard Vikings fan, you wouldn't remember him...
65 - Phil Hughes: Again, much like the Joba Chamberlain situation, I just can't particularly think of any other 65's. I suppose these two Yankees come to mind mostly because of them being... well... Yankees.
66 - Mario Lemieux: Arguably the third greatest hockey player ever? Super Mario will always define Pittsburgh hockey. I don't care how good Sidney Crosby is, Mario Lemieux was, is, and forever will be Penguins Hockey.
67 - Michael Frolik: Can't think of too many other's wearing the 67. But, from playing EA Sports' wonderful "NHL" series, I do know of Michael Frolik.
68 - Jaromir Jagr: He was the jelly to Mario Lemieux's peanut butter in making the Pittsburgh Penguins into the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions that they were. Although he has been around the league a bit at this point, he will forever be a Pittsburgh Penguin to me. An honorable mention goes out to Michigan's own Mike Martin. Even through the rough "Rich Rod" years, Mike played as tough as he could.
69 - Mark Schlereth: Although he is loved by many in Denver, the former NFL lineman and now ESPN NFL analyst has become a bit of a Detroit sports figure with his son pitching for the Tigers. I'll never forget watching him stand up and sing "The Victors" when his son was pitching for the Arizona Wildcats against Michigan. It would be easy to say that he got a bit caught up in the moment.
I will do my best to be a bit more current with these posts... I certainly want to finish this soon. Hey, if you're lucky, maybe I'll even do another one before the end of the day...
Monday, March 5, 2012
Athletes by the Number: 50 - 59
I took a bit of a break, but now I'm back. Time to attack the numbers 50 - 59...
50 - David Robinson: "The Admiral" came out of the Naval Academy and brought the San Antonio Spurs back to being a relevant NBA team (although Tim Duncan helped a bit).
51 - Dick Butkus: While not the GREATEST name for a hard tackling linebacker in the NFL, he helped define the position for future players.
52 - Ray Lewis: He may have been a criminal... but the man plays some damn good football.
53 - Don Drysdale: Sure... he was a bit before my time. A lot bit. But Drysdale is clearly the best to ever wear the number.
54 - Brian Urlacher: Urlacher, as much as it kills me as a fan of another NFC North squad, has been an absolute force in the league for over a decade.
55 - Dikembe Mutombo: Finger-waving and all, Mutombo was the defensive specialist everyone was afraid of. Domination at it's finest. Honorable mentions go out to Orel Hershiser, Junior Seau, and Dhani Jones.
56 - Lamarr Woodley: Just remember kids... Guns don't kill people. Lamarr Woodley kills people.
57 - Johan Santana: When not riddled by injuries, Santana is a premier pitcher in the Big League.
58 - Jack Lambert: While his teeth scared me as a child, his old highlight reels impressed me as an adult.
59 - Todd Jones: While scaring the hell out of me as a closer, Jones set many a record for the Tigers. I give credit when credit as do. He was one heck of a closer.
That is it for 50 - 59... next comes 60 - 69... soon and very soon.
50 - David Robinson: "The Admiral" came out of the Naval Academy and brought the San Antonio Spurs back to being a relevant NBA team (although Tim Duncan helped a bit).
51 - Dick Butkus: While not the GREATEST name for a hard tackling linebacker in the NFL, he helped define the position for future players.
52 - Ray Lewis: He may have been a criminal... but the man plays some damn good football.
53 - Don Drysdale: Sure... he was a bit before my time. A lot bit. But Drysdale is clearly the best to ever wear the number.
54 - Brian Urlacher: Urlacher, as much as it kills me as a fan of another NFC North squad, has been an absolute force in the league for over a decade.
55 - Dikembe Mutombo: Finger-waving and all, Mutombo was the defensive specialist everyone was afraid of. Domination at it's finest. Honorable mentions go out to Orel Hershiser, Junior Seau, and Dhani Jones.
56 - Lamarr Woodley: Just remember kids... Guns don't kill people. Lamarr Woodley kills people.
57 - Johan Santana: When not riddled by injuries, Santana is a premier pitcher in the Big League.
58 - Jack Lambert: While his teeth scared me as a child, his old highlight reels impressed me as an adult.
59 - Todd Jones: While scaring the hell out of me as a closer, Jones set many a record for the Tigers. I give credit when credit as do. He was one heck of a closer.
That is it for 50 - 59... next comes 60 - 69... soon and very soon.
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