Puttin' Up Numbers

Legendary #10 Nancy Lieberman stops in to critique our Hall of Fame list. We also talk about her friendships with  Ali, Kobe, LeBron and Clyde, when a woman will finally become an NBA head coach, her thoughts on Zion's future and we cast an all-female version of Space Jam with Nancy leading the charge. 

Our Guest
It’s hard to understate the impact Nancy Lieberman has had on the game of basketball. A true pioneer as a player, coach and broadcaster, she’s a 2X National Champion in college, an Olympic medalist and WNBA veteran as both a player and a coach. She was the first female in history to be a head coach in a men’s professional league, she’s also been an assistant with the Sacramento Kings and won a championship as a head coach in the Big 3. She’s now a broadcaster with the New Orleans Pelicans. And if there’s a Hall of Fame, she’s in it. That includes the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame among many others.She earned the nickname “Lady Magic” by honing her game at New York’s legendary Rucker Park and wore #10 in honor of Knicks legend Walt Frazier.

0:24 – “Rudy, we have something special today. What is it?”
Although we hit the #10 with Ron Cey, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to talk with a basketball legend – Nancy Lieberman joins us for our #10 Extra Episode!

1:37 – “There were two guys not mentioned who probably should’ve been.”
Tom and Rudy kick off a bit of a Numbers News roundtable, finally giving props to Ron Santo and Chris Chambliss as well as exploring #0 in college football and previewing our upcoming NFL Special.

9:01 – “It’s good to be on the show.”
Nancy Lieberman joins us and immediately takes issue with our selection of Fran Tarkenton as the all-time #10. She mentions how she demanded #10 from Jerry West when signing to play on the Lakers’ Summer League team (coached by Pat Riley). Meeting her hero Walt Frazier

14:50 – “That’s what I did to my son, TJ. That’s why he won’t talk to me today.”
Nancy shares the secret to becoming a baller. Her friendships with the likes of Kobe, LeBron, Muhammad Ali. Being fearless and women ultimately getting opportunities to be head coaches in the NBA.

22:07 – “With the future of mankind in the balance . . .”
Nancy picks her starting 5 for an all-female version of Space Jam where she is the head coach. Look out Monstars, you’re facing Lisa Leslie, Cheryl Miller, Diana Taurasi, Chamique Holdsclaw and Anne Meyers.

23:55 – “You have seen just a little snippet of what he can do.”
As a Pelicans broadcaster Nancy sees superstar Zion Williamson up close and personal. She gives us her take on his very bright future in the NBA. She also shares her thoughts on the Suns, Mavericks, Luka and more.

27:13 – “You know what, I really need to be a nicer person.”
Nancy talks about Nancy Lieberman Charities and the importance of giving back, her time with Muhammad Ali and her thoughts on the future.

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Bailey, Barnes, Barry, Bonds, Bryant, Chelios, Gordon, Griffey, Henderson, Malone, Mays . . . the competition for the greatest #24 of all-time is absolutely STACKED.  Bill Cartwright, the catalyst of the great Bulls teams of the early 90s joins us to talk about the Bulls, The Last Dance, his love of the Say Hey Kid and more! It's an action-packed show featuring a brand-new segment from Mr. Rudy Klancnik himself.

Our Guest
Bill Cartwright was a  key part of the one of the greatest dynasties in NBA history. He played 16 seasons for the Knicks, Bulls and Sonics and was co-captain of the Bulls teams that won three-straight NBA titles in the early 90s.  After his playing days he became a successful assistant coach with the Bulls, Nets and Suns and a part of 3 more championship teams. He was a two-time All-American at University of San Francisco and is still the Dons all-time leading scorer. His #24 is retired at USF alongside legends like Bill Russell and KC Jones where he is now Director of University Initiatives.

1:31 – “This is the inaugural edition, ladies and gentlemen, of Number News.”
Rudy debuts a sparkly new segment, Number News (which will eventually be called Rudy’s Roundup). As the name states, it’s news and notes of import in the uniform number world. 

5:00 – “It’s 16 years . . .”
6-time NBA champ Bill Cartwright joins us and immediately corrects Tom on the number of years he played in the NBA. We also talk #24, the Bulls dynasty, The Last Dance, Willie Mays and why the Knicks still suck.

11:08 – “I’m gonna kick it off, focusing on baseball.”
Rudy talks great baseball #24’s including Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Rickey Henderson and more. Football at 16:37. Basketball at 22:28. Hockey/NASCAR/Soccer at 31:23 

35:07 – “You excited? You feelin’ it?”

Screen stars. Actors wearing #24 in movies and TV:

1. Corbin Bernsen as Roger Dorn in Major League (1989)
2. Fred “The Hammer” Williamson as Dr. Oliver Jones in MASH (1970)
3. Toheeb Jimoh as Sam Obisanya in Ted Lasso (2020)
4. Kadeem Hardison as Antoine Tyler in The Sixth Man (1997)
5. Dylan O’Brien as Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf (2011-2017) 

37:33 – “Now it’s time for the Hall of Shame.”
The Derrick Rose Award (great careers ruined by circumstance) goes to Nile Kinnick and Marvin “Bad News” Barnes. The Hall of Shame recipient is Brazilian Soccer as an institution for the taboo it has associated with #24.

40:30 – “Let’s focus on some Heat Check guys.”
These are people who are still playing and vying for a spot someday on the Hall of Fame list.

1. Miguel Cabrera 
2. Stephon Gilmore 
3. Robinson Cano 
4. Nick Chubb 
5. Devonta Freeman 
6. Josh Norman
7. Buddy Hield 
8. Lauri Markkanen.
9. Kaapo Kakko 
10. Johnathan Abram 

45:13 – “Let’s go for it.”
The Hall of Fame List:

1. Willie Mays
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Rickey Henderson 
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Ken Griffey, Jr. 

Our thanks to Frank Allocco at USF for helping us secure the interview with Bill Cartwright.

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Now that he's finally back at the helm, the genius behind America's greatest Twitter feed, Super 70s Sports, joins a Very Special Episode of Puttin' Up Numbers to talk (what else?) all things 70s. Ricky Cobb might not be a household name like Joe Namath, Howard Cosell or Evel Knievel but if your birthday falls anywhere from around 1960 to the mid-1970s, Ricky has established himself as a legend. Thanks to his super popular and super funny Twitter account, Super 70's Sports is a must follow for anyone who appreciates great humor, Oscar Gamble’s Afro and cigarette ads that appear to spotlight serial killers. Oh, and if you’re easily offended by some off-color language, follow someone else. Ricky talks as if you’re sitting with him at a bar and you’re already a couple of pitchers in.

Our Guest
Ricky Cobb is a college professor by day and a Tweeting machine by night (and mornings, afternoons or basically whenever he can). When you’re the father of five daughters plus two stepdaughters it’s important to find some quiet time for yourself. Ricky has turned that quiet time into a fledgling media empire that now has him positioned to do everything from stand-up comedy to big-time production deals. With more than 375,000 followers and counting, Super ‘70s Sports captures an era of sports – and plenty of other stuff – that guys like us just can’t get enough of. 

1:30 – “Introductions are in order.”
Ricky tells us that unlike our childhood heroes, he’s got the athletic talent of a neighborhood dad. Hey, just like us!

2:15 – “Looking for an outlet.”
Describing the origin story behind one of the most popular Twitter feeds this side of Elon Musk, Ricky says that his love for comedy merged perfectly with his love of sports and the era of sports he grew up cheering for. And he says he’s actually amazed to be talking to us clowns, which is the nicest thing any guest has ever said to us. Hand me a tissue.

4:09 -“The balancing act.”
Ricky’s Twitter magic takes a ton of blood, sweat and tears. “I created a beast and that beast must be fed to the tune of a couple of dozen posts a day.” That type of pace makes the balancing act with family and the day job a world-class chore.

7:06 - “The guys who produced the Evel Knievel commercial took all sort of liberties with physics.”
Yes. Yes they did. Although this toy never landed on its wheels, the promotional spot on our TVs every Saturday morning showed him pulling off the perfect jump each and every time. Pathetic to play with the emotions of a 9-year-old.

10:44 – “Wow. Rob and Chad Lowe retweeted me.”
Ricky’s “Welcome to the NFL” moment came first when Dale Murphy – yes, that Dale Murphy – followed him and then the brothers Lowe retweeted him. That’s big time indeed.

21:11 – “I just purchased the 1976 Topps football card set.”
Affording the set that includes the vaunted Walter Payton Rookie Card really proves you’ve got game. Ricky grew up studying baseball and football cards like he was studying for a final exam. And if you spend more than 10 minutes following Super ‘70s Sports you’re highly likely to see some of those sports cards. And why so many of those football cards included station wagons parked in the background is anyone’s guess.

32:51 – “Kelly Leak is the greatest Little League slugger in the history of our national pastime.”
Ricky settles it. Kelly Leak, the chain-smoking, motorcycle riding and baseball smashing center fielder of Chico Bail Bonds’ Bears sits atop Mount Olympus among other 1970s era sports comedy superstardom. Leak’s #3 edged the likes of Reggie Dunlap, Paul Crewe, Nick Nolte and the legendary Bingo Long.

Our thanks to the inimitable Ricky Cobb. Pick up some sweet 70s gear at the Super 70s Sports Store: https://www.super70ssportsstore.com

It's a YUGE show! ESPN Analyst Jay Bilas joins us to talk about legendary #21's, his appearance on The White Shadow, Young Jeezy, the state of college sports in a COVID-19 world, taking Barney the Dinosaur to court and more! It's an absolutely jam-packed show!

Our Guest
Jay Bilas is one of the foremost analysts in college basketball today. A 4-year starter at Duke where he played on the first of Mike Krzyzewski’s 12 Final Four teams. He also won back-to-back National Championships as a Duke assistant and got a law degree.  He's a 5X Emmy nominee, actor, author, likes Young Jeezy and has a first-rate Twitter account.

2:08 – “Well, thank you for having me.”
ESPN Analyst Jay Bilas joins us to dive right in on a jam-packed show. He reveals that he liked #21 because of Roberto Clemente. Plus he talks about The White Shadow, I Come In Peace, the state of college sports, taking Barney the Dinosaur to court, Young Jeezy and more.

18:50 – “There are so many great number 21’s . . .”
Tom starts with the baseball list of notables which includes Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Mike Hargrove, Ruben Sierra and Terry Puhl. The Greatest Generation gets some love with an accounting of the accomplishments of Hall of Famers Warren Spahn and Bob Lemon. Finally, we hit the contenders, Sammy Sosa (barely), Roger Clemens (begrudgingly) and Roberto Clemente.

22:40 – “It’s a great number for basketball.”
Rudy hits the basketball contenders starting with Tim Duncan. Then Dominique Wilkins, Kevin Garnett and Bill Sharman.

26:27 – “I almost named my son World B. Free.”
Sentimental favorites include scorer supreme World B. Free, former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and Vlade Divac – the first guy who could get you 20 pts., 12 rebounds and smoke 4 cigarettes in a game. Notables include Michael Cooper, Sleepy Floyd and Alvin Robertson.

28:23 – “Cam Neely. Who is really known more for #8.”
Hockey notables include Neely, Guy Carbonneau and Brent Sutter. Sentimental favorites are Maple Leafs legend Borje Salming and all-everything female Cammi Granato. Contenders are Stan Mikita, Peter Forsberg and Mike Eruzione.

31:15 – “Wow! I love it. You’re teasing Screen Stars.”
Rudy really comes around on Screen Stars, tipping his hand on who this week’s honoree will be. Go to 39:24 to hear Screen Stars which includes big-time actors Jesse Plemons, Matt Damon and Patrick “Don’t Call Me McDreamy” Dempsey.

31:34 – “One legendary #21 that drove a car for a living.”
Rudy shouts out NASCAR legend David Pearson before hopping into football, where the notables are Charles Woodson, Tiki Barber, Eric Allen and James Brooks. Sentimental favorites are Barry Sanders, Desmond Howard, Jim Kiick, John Hadl and Cliff Branch. Contenders are LaDainian Tomlinson and Neon Deion Prime Time Sanders.

44:19 – “An official unit of measure, the buttload.”
We segue into the Derrick Rose Award:

1. Curt Flood
2. Sean Taylor
3. Ken Caminiti

And the Hall of Shame:

1. Rumeal Robinson
2. Jay Johnstone

50:04 – “I’ll attack this list with vigor.”
Heat Check for #21:

1. Joel Embiid
2. Walker Buehler
3. Zeke Elliott
4. Todd Gurley
5. Frank Gore
6. Patrick Peterson
7. Zach Grienke
8.  Todd Frazier
9. Hassan Whiteside
10. Brayden Point

54:35 – “Remind us of the order that Jay put it in.”

Our first disagreement as a married couple on the Hall of Fame List:

1. Roberto Clemente (Rudy would have Tim Duncan here)
2. Tim Duncan
3. Roger Clemens
4. Deion Sanders 
5. Stan Mikita

 Buy Jay Bilas’ book Toughness HERE. You can see him on TV just by turning it on.

Future Hall of Famer Nick Mangold stops by to talk about #74, BBQ, his work with the Answer the Call Foundation and how he’s dealing with 4 kids under 9-years of age.  We talk about the bumper crop of #74’s in the Hall of Fame, Rudy’s favorite Fast and Furious movie and our distaste for The Blind Side and Rudy. Plus a Hall of Shame that puts all other Hall of Shamer’s to shame and, of course, our #74 Hall of Fame.

Our Guest
Nick Mangold played 11 years at center for the New York Jets.  He was the 29th pick overall in the 2006 NFL Draft and went on to become a 7-time Pro Bowl selection and 3-time All-Pro.  

He was a three-year starter and All-American at Ohio State and won a National Championship with the Buckeyes in 2002. 

Since retiring in 2018, he’s started a line of craft-style BBQ sauces under the Mangold’s 74 BBQ label. A portion of the proceeds benefit the families of New York’s fallen first responders.

0:54 – “It is amazing.”
Tom and Rudy are both stunned at the rich history of #74.

2:21 – “Thank you for having me.”
Nick Mangold gives us the inside story of how he became #74 and talks BBQ and about a career that may make him the 9th #74 in the Pro Football HOF.

10:22 – “Spoiler alert – this is really going to be a lot about football.” 
Tom and Rudy discuss the amazing 8 (count ‘em 8!) #74’s in the HOF including Bob Lilly, Bruce Matthews, Merlin Olsen, Fred Dean, Jimbo Covert, Henry Jordan and Mike McCormack as well as Joe Staley, Paul Gruber (not to be confused with Hans Gruber), Steve Wallace, John Hicks (who finished 2nd in Heisman Trophy voting in 1973) and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (with additional commentary on Rudy’s favorite Fast and Furious movie)

23:54 – “There’s a couple of folks of note in baseball.”
Tom mentions Joe Nathan’s brief flirtation with #74, the fact there are no ABA or NBA players who’ve worn #74 and finally TJ Oshie’s 4-for-6 performance in a shootout with the Russians in the 2014 Olympics (USA! USA! USA!) 

25:16 – “It’s time!”
Screen Stars focuses the spotlight on Quinton Aaron as Michael Oher in 2009’s The Blind Side. Tom and Rudy also discuss their distaste for the movie (and preference for Michael Lewis’ book) before veering into a brief assault on the all-time abomination that is Rudy (the movie, not the co-host).

30:06 – “The Derrick Rose Award goes to Hall of Famer Ron Mix.”
Despite having a super cool nickname, “The Intelligent Assassin”, Ron Mix had his #74 un-retired by the Chargers for coming out of retirement to play for the Raiders and was also disbarred in 2019 for his part in a scheme with former NBA player Kermit Washington.

32:02 – “I think we have a must.”
Rudy issues the call to have Rudy Tomjanovich as a guest so we can talk about Kermit Washington and the movie Rudy.

32:33 – “Ugueth Urbina.”
When you do 7+ years for threatening workers with a machete, the Hall of Shame is your destiny no matter how many games you saved in the big leagues.

33:52 – “One of ‘em I hope never chases anybody with a machete . . .”
The official Heat Check for #74:

1. Kenley Jansen
2. Eloy Jimenez (look him up)
3.  John Carlson/Madison Bowey
4.  Anthony Costanzo

38:01 – “It’s harder than it appears.”
Here’s your all-time greatest #74’s:

1. Bob Lilly
2. Bruce Matthews
3. Merlin Olsen
4.  Kenley Jansen
5. TJ Oshie (USA! USA! USA!)

Order Nick Mangold’s SeventyFourBBQ sauces HERE.

Talented actor and college football legend Ed Marinaro joins the proceedings to talk about #49 (and #44 at Cornell), plus playing basketball with Jim Brown at the Playboy Mansion, screen testing for the Six Million Dollar Man, Hill Street Blues, playing for Lou Holtz, the famous Hail Mary game in 1975, living with Joe Namath and his role in the forthcoming Soprano’s prequel, The Many Saints of Newark. Also catch the Hall of Shame, Hall of Fame and a discussion of the three worst days in Tom Niedenfuer’s life.

Our Guest
Ed Marinaro is a talented actor and one of the greatest players in college football history. As a running back at Cornell, he set 16 NCAA records on his way to becoming a three-time All-American and the first player in history to rush for more than 4,000 yards. In 1971 he won the Maxwell Award and the AP and UPI Player of the Year Awards and finished 2nd to Pat Sullivan in the race for the Heisman Trophy. In a 6-year pro career with the Vikings, Jets and Seahawks, he played in 2 Super Bowls before turning his attention to acting – where he appeared on hit shows like Laverne & Shirley, Sisters and Hill Street Blues. And next year you can see him in The Soprano’s prequel, The Many Saints of Newark. He’s our first guest with an Ivy League education and our first College Football Hall of Famer.

 2:14 – “Oh, thank you! It’s great to be here.”
Ed Marinaro comes loaded with stories!

18:11 – “Number one on the contender list for me is Bobby Mitchell.”
Tom and Rudy discuss great football #49s including Bobby Mitchell, Dennis Smith, Tom Landry (and his connection to Erich Barnes), Tony Richardson, the hated Mike Siani, Dwayne Woodruff and Michgan QB Bob Chappius.

22:00 – “They get a history lesson with this, too.”
Rudy shifts to baseball with “Louisiana Lightning”, Ron Guidry and the time-honored tradition of knuckleballers wearing #49. Yovani Gallardo, Teddy Higuera, Warren Cromartie, Larry Dierker, Armando Benitez and Rob Dibble.

27:10– “Forty-nine is wide open.”
In discussing the dearth of #49’s in basketball and hockey, Tom issues a challenge to the youth, to consider the number.

27:20 – “There’s only two.”
Screen Stars returns with the shortest list ever. Jonathan Silverman in Little Big League and Kenny Rogers in Six Pack. That’s it.  That’s the list!

28:19 – “You know exactly where we’re going.”
The #49 Hall of Shame:
1.      Tom Niedenfuer blowing up twice in the 1985 NLCS.
2.     The legendary Jose Mesa/Omar Vuzquel beef.
3.    Chris Sale’s hatred of sweet White Sox throwbacks
4.    Byung-Hyun Kim blowing saves in Game 4 & 5 vs. Yankees in 2001 World Series.

35:54 – “These are #49’s of current import.”
The official Heat Check for #49
1. Shaquem Griffin
2. Jordan Hicks (even though he's not pitching in 2020)
3. Jake Arrieta
4. Julio Teheran
5. Chris Sale

38:24 – “That only leaves us with the Hall of Fame.”
Here’s your all-time greatest #49’s:
1. Bobby Mitchell
2. Ron Guidry     
3. Tim Wakefield
4. Charlie Hough
5. Dennis Smith

Our thanks to Friend of PUN Scott Malaga for helping us secure Ed Marinaro. Check out Scott’s business interests HERE.

You can also get more details on Ed Marinaro’s upcoming film, The Many Saints of Newark HERE.

MLB audio clips are property of Major League Baseball.

Jim Abbott joins the podcast to talk about the #25 and his connection to Angels great Don Baylor.  We break down the Contenders with a discussion of polarizing #25s, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Fred Biletnikoff and are still amazed that Jim Thome hit 612 HRs.   Talk about Richard Sherman and Ben Simmons in Heat Check. Award the inaugural Derrick Rose Award to none other than Derrick Rose, plus the Hall of Shame and the Hall of Fame. If you’re looking for a lively discussion of players and teams we hate, this is the episode for you!

Our Guest
Jim Abbott is one of the most inspirational players in sports history. Born without a right hand he went on to have his #31 retired at the University of Michigan where he also won the Sullivan Award in as the nation’s best amateur athlete. In 1988 he won the gold medal game in the Olympics and was a 1st round selection of the California Angels. Abbott played 10 years in the big leagues including a no-hitter in 1993, which is detailed in his excellent autobiography, Imperfect.

 2:05 – “Jim, welcome to Puttin’ Up Numbers.”
We dive right into it with a conversation with Jim Abbott.

12:50 – “Yeah, that’s a good word for it.”
Tom and Rudy discuss the most polarizing #25 of all-time, Barry Bonds. The conversation then moves to Mark McGwire and a shared (ruined) memory of a day spent with the slugger.

15:03 – “Who couldn’t see that coming?"
A discussion of Tommy John who, with 288 wins and 188 no-decisions, should be famous for more than just the surgery that bears his name.

17:02 – “He’s Astro royalty.”
Some lesser known, but still relevant #25s enter the conversation with Jim Abbott, Jose Cruz, Don Baylor and the Great Train Robbery that is Bobby Bonilla Day.

21:28 – “Appeared in Season 3 of our favorite old-time show, The White Shadow.”
Basketball gets a turn with a discussion of Gail Goodrich, Chet “The Jet” Walker, KC Jones, Danny Manning, Penny Hardaway, Nick Anderson, Mark Price, Steve Kerr, Robert Horry, Doc Rivers and Vince Carter.

24:32 – “25 is not really a huge hockey number.”
Dave Andreychuk, Joe Niewendyk and Jacques Lemaire . . . that’s it.  That’s the list

25:38 – “You overlook NASCAR everytime we do this.”
Rudy takes Tom to task for forgetting about great NASCAR drivers, kicking a shout out to the late, great Tim Richmond in the Folgers #25.

26:49 - “As a kid, that guy was evil.”
The football discussion begins with Fred Biletnikoff, followed by mentions of Tommy McDonald, Shady McCoy, Rocket Ismail, Jim Bakken and Haven Moses.

 31:53 - “It’s time for Screen Stars!”
Short list for #25
1. Mark Arnold as Mick McAlister in Teen Wolf (1985)
2. Wesley Snipes as Trumaine in Wildcats (1986)
3. Harold Sylvester as DC Dacey in Fast Break (1979)

35:19 – “Branding matters.”
Rudy explains “The Derrick Rose Award” for players who had their careers cut short by injury or circumstance seconds before turning around the giving Derrick Rose the Derrick Rose Award.  Tom also explains the Ben Wilson Effect.

38:13 – “Missed the Super Bowl, missed The Fridge, missed the stupid song.”
Hall of Shame returns with Chicago Bears DB Todd Bell, Big White Stiffs Chandler Parsons and George Zidek and Juicers (Bonds, Palmiero, McGwire, Giambi).

40:48 – “Heat Check.”
Guys making it happen on the field currently in the #25
1. Richard Sherman
2. Ben Simmons
3. Byron Buxton
4. Clyde Edwards-Helaire

43:28 – “It’s that time again."
These guys wore it best
1. Barry Bonds
2. Gail Goodrich
3. Fred Biletnikoff
4. Joe Nieuwendyk
5. KC Jones

Order Jim Abbott's book, Imperfect HERE.

NUMBER #1

The podcast about uniform numbers continues a streak of huge guests when Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Moon stops in to talk about his famous number 1. Warren talks about the significance of #1 and its resurgence with the current crop of young signal callers including the recently signed Cam Newton. We also break down Contenders, hit the Heat Check and court controversy with the Hall of Shame. If you like discussions about Garo Yepremian, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! 

 Our Guest
After a Rose Bowl at Washington in 1978, Warren Moon was undrafted by the NFL and took his talents to Canada. After winning 5 Grey Cups in 6 years, he signed with Houston in the NFL and managed to rack up nearly 50,000 yards passing in a 17-year career. Moon was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, becoming the first African American quarterback and the first undrafted quarterback to receive the honor.

 Show Notes
00:44 – “Numero Uno”
Rudy gets things going by talking about the number 1 and announcing our interview with the great Warren Moon.  

2:16 – “My favorite number 1 as a kid was Garo Yepremian.”
The first (but not last) Garo Yepremian/Super Bowl VII name check plus the young bucks, Kyler Murray, Justin Fields and newly-minted #1 Tua Tagovailoa

3:25 – “The greatest shortstop in the history of the game.”
Tom immediately alienates all Yankee fans listening by naming Ozzie Smith the greatest shortstop in the history of the game. 

4:51 – “Probably 135 pounds soaking wet . . . or maybe beer soaking wet.
Rudy and Tom give props to longtime Yankee player and manager Billy Martin.

5:40– “With respect to Gus Williams and Muggsy Bogues and Tiny Archibald . . .”
Tom makes his case for just one name on the basketball list should be The Big O, Oscar Robertson.

6:58 – “Number 1 is the number for hockey goalies.”
Tom shares the long history of great netminders and adds his sentimental pick of light-hitting Royals infielder Buddy Biancalana, followed by a discussion of the storied history of Michigan receivers who have worn the #1.

11:17 – “This is big, man.”
Rudy and Tom share their excitement over Warren Moon appearing on Puttin’ Up Numbers.

12:24 – “I always wanted to have a number that was different.”
Warren Moon stops by to share why he chose to wear #1. Cam Newton and more.

20:18 – “Here are the people who are not on the list.”
Screen Stars returns! The #1 Screen Stars are:
1A - Billy Dee Williams as Bingo Long in Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings (1976)
1B - Sylvester Stallone as Capt. Robert Hatch in Victory (1981)
1C - Kathy Ireland as Lucy Draper in Necessary Roughness (1991)

25:01 – “Number one’s kinda having a moment right now, right?”
Heat Check is full of great #1’s:
1.      Cam Newton
2.     Kyler Murray
3.    Justin Fields
4.    Zion Williamson
5.    Carlos Correa
6.    Tua Taglovailoa
7.     Alyssa Naeher

33:15 – “Speaking of things we might be ashamed of.”
Controversy rears its ugly head during the discussion of the Hall of Shame. 

39:07 – “The top 5 players of distinction wearing the number 1.”
The Hall of Fame list is quite strong.
1.      Ozzie Smith
2.     Oscar Robertson
3.    Warren Moon
4.    Pee Wee Reese
5.    Terry Sawchuk 

Hit us up on our website and find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Hat tip to Friend of PUN Wendy Steele for helping us secure the Warren Moon Interview. Find more about Wendy HERE.

The podcast about uniform numbers breaks down the greatest athletes ever to wear uniform number 10. Baseball great Ron Cey joins Tom and Rudy to talk about how he got #10 with the Dodgers, what it was like to wear #11 in stops in Chicago and Oakland, the nickname, “The Penguin” and how it feels to have another Dodger third baseman wearing the number he made famous. We also have our Contenders, Heat Check, Screen Stars, the Hall of Shame, a non-soccer Hall of Fame and more!

Today’s Guest
Ron Cey played third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1971 to 1987. He was a key member of the powerhouse Dodger teams of the 1970s that won four National League pennants and won the 1981 World Series in which Cey was named MVP.  He was a six-time All-Star and is still the highest-rated Dodger infielder of all-time by WAR. He finished his career playing for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s while wearing #11.

Show Notes

00:39 – “A very special number indeed for me” Rudy kicks things off with a heartwarming story of how a youngster growing up in Florida wore #10 in honor of Dodgers third baseman, Ron Cey and his super-cool nickname, “The Penguin”.

2:45 – “Number 10 in soccer is . . . it’s everything” Rudy explains the special meaning the #10 uniform has for soccer players at all levels, from Pele and Messi to Carli Lloyd and Michelle Akers. He likens #10 in soccer to #23 in the NBA. 

3:48 – “He’s bald as a billiard ball in Britain. He comes over here to America to play in the MLS and he’s got a full head of hair.” Tom wonders exactly what the deal is with Wayne Rooney’s hair.

5:13 – “Ron, thanks so much for being here . . .” Ron Cey joins the podcast to talk about his time wearing the number 10!

14:14 – “I love Chipper Jones.” Rudy and Tom discuss the Contenders for the all-time list of top #10s. The conversation includes Lefty Grove,  Sir Francis Tarkenton (and whether or not he’s the predecessor of Lamar Jackson),  Eli Manning (and whether or not he’s a modern-day Henry Winkler),  Walt Frazier (of Southern Illinois University fame),  whether or not Dennis Rodman belongs on the list of Contenders, Bob Love, why BJ Armstrong still looks like a child and Guy LaFleur.  Sentimental picks include Ron Cey, Brad Van Pelt, Manute Bol (and his run-in with Tim Hardaway), Bol Bol, Pavel Bure, Candace Cameron Bure, Mookie Blaylock (and the story of the early days of Pearl Jam) and Nancy Lieberman.

27:22 – “So now it’s time for Heat Check.” Tom and Rudy discuss current players wearing #10 who may be Contenders for the all-time list down the road. 

31:00 – “You can disagree with me, but you’ll be wrong.” Tom lays out the top 5 actors to wear the #10 in the first edition of Screen Stars. 

33:29 – “I’m gonna combo platter Heat Check and Hall of Shame . . .” The Hall of Shame, bad players or bad moments with players wearing #10 debuts. with discussions of Mitch Trubisky, Leon Durham, Art Schlichter, Rusty Staub having his number retired by the Expos after only 3 ½ seasons in Montreal, RG III and Vince Young.

38:14 – “Which brings us to the Hall of Fame . . .” Here’s the list (minus soccer players):

1.     Fran Tarkenton
2.     Chipper Jones
3.     Walt Frazier & Nancy Lieberman
4.     Eli Manning
5.     Guy LaFleur

Hit us up on our website and find us on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook. Hat tip to Friend of PUN Jorge Martin for hooking up the Ron Cey Interview. Check out his podcast HERE.