Playing the numbers game

In sports, a number can be everything, and for many it’s a form of identity.

The greatest athletes are often remembered by their number hanging in the rafters.

Athletes wear different numbers for different reasons. Some choose a lucky number or their birth date. Some choose the number their childhood hero wore, while some take the round or pick they were chosen in the draft.

In the early years of baseball, the way you determined your number was based on where you were in your line up. You were number 1 if you were the leadoff man and 2 for the next guy, and so on.

Numbers expanded after franchises retired numbers.

We see 23 and automatically think of Michael Jordan. A 3 on a Yankees jersey, of course, we know is the great Babe Ruth. What about 99? No, not Manny Ramirez, but the Great One, Wayne Gretzky.

These are some of the greatest athletes ever, and besides legends, stories and old film, the only thing they can be remembered by is their numbers.

Recently, one of the greatest basketball players in today’s world, Lebron James, has put in a request for a new number.

He currently wears 23, which he wore in high school and I’m sure all of growing up. Like everyone else, he wanted to be “like Mike.” But now he wants to pay honor to MJ and give up the 23 jersey and wear 6.

James wore the number 6 in the Olympics in 2004 and 2008.

Jordan didn’t wear his usual 23 either because in the Olympics they play by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) rules and they only allow numbers 4 through 15.

I’m not sure if anyone noticed but the number 6 is an upside down 9, (Jordan’s Olympic number).

Also numbers represent championships. New York Yankees Manager, Joe Girardi was number 27 when he joined the pinstripes. The Yankees had 26 Championships and the 27 stood for the next one Girardi was going to lead them to.

Since the Yankees won the World Serious in 2009, the skipper now changed his number to 28, in pursuit for the next championship.

So when it comes to choosing a number it could be a tougher decision than you think. It may be a way for people to remember you by or it may be a reason people may want to follow in your footsteps.

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3 comments

Jesus Romero

Sat Mar 13 2010 17:56

That might be a cool idea. Having the great MJ choose who wears the next 23, unfortunately you would have to have everyone else in the league give up #23. the number 23 is the most popular in the NBA. Basically, the NBA would have to retire the number with the exception of the one player in the league. (Lebron James said they should retire the number all together). Michael Jordan was asked by ESPN what he thought about retiring his number, and he explained to them that it was necessary and there a lot of players that came before him that there numbers should be retired also. In fact most players wear the number 23 because of Jordan. At one point or another I’m sure they wanted to be “like Mike.” The other issue is, what if the player who MJ gives his number, ends up being a bust? What if he gets hurt? And What if the player already has a number that he wears, and declines the 23 number? A lot to think about, but for now everyone can keep trying to be “Like Mike,” but there is only one real MJ.

Anonymous

Sat Mar 13 2010 17:55

That might be a cool idea. Having the great MJ choose who wears the next 23, unfortunately you would have to have everyone else in the league give up #23. the number 23 is the most popular in the NBA. Basically, the NBA would have to retire the number with the exception of the one player in the league. (Lebron James said they should retire the number all together). Michael Jordan was asked by ESPN what he thought about retiring his number, and he explained to them that it was necessary and there a lot of players that came before him that there numbers should be retired also. In fact most players wear the number 23 because of Jordan. At one point or another I’m sure they wanted to be “like Mike.” The other issue is, what if the player who MJ gives his number, ends up being a bust? What if he gets hurt? And What if the player already has a number that he wears, and declines the 23 number? A lot to think about, but for now everyone can keep trying to be “Like Mike,” but there is only one real MJ.

Anonymous

Fri Mar 12 2010 03:33

i don't know about the whole number change for Labron. to me carrying on the legend of Micheal would be better represented only by another great and influential player. even though MJ is the greatest player to play the game in his time, the legacy must move on. handing the torch to Labron and wearing his number could not be a better honor to a player who changed the game of basketball and has paved the way for young athletes across the world. although i don't believe that just ANY player should wear the number, allowing the future of the sport and the poster boy for the NBA to wear the number should not be a question. i would even go as far as having Micheal himself choose the player to wear his number and carry on the legacy.

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