The numbers athletes wear become a permanent part of team and sports history.
Every number from 0 to 99 is associated with a standout athlete in Chicago sports, and we’ve sorted through all of them to bring you this definitive list of the greatest Chicago athletes by uniform number.
Some numbers have reached iconic status in this city, like Michael Jordan’s 23, Bobby Hull’s 9 and Ernie Banks’ 14. You’ll find all of them among the names on this list – along with some others you may not remember.
The only criterion for inclusion was that the athlete played at least one season in Chicago for the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs or White Sox. We primarily considered the athlete’s time as a playing member of a Chicago team, but his achievements as a player elsewhere or coach was, in some cases, used to break ties.
We’ll count down 20 athletes per day between Monday and Friday, beginning with Nos. 99-80 and concluding Friday with Nos. 19-0.
And now onto Day 3, featuring Nos. 59-40:
59
Ron Rivera: Played nine seasons at linebacker for the Bears from 1984-92. Was a backup on the Super Bowl XX squad and became a starter in 1988.
58
Wilber Marshall: A starter at linebacker in three of his four seasons in Chicago from 1984-87. He went to two Pro Bowls and is perhaps best remembered for returning a fumble for touchdown at the end of the NFC Championship game to seal a spot in Super Bowl XX.
57
Olin Kreutz: A fixture at center for the Bears from 1988-2011, Kreutz was a six-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro player. He started 183 games for the Bears.
56
Mark Buehrle: A revered White Sox pitcher from 2000-11, Buehrle threw a no-hitter, a perfect game and led the rotation to the 2005 World Series. He started 30 games, won 10 and pitched 200 innings for 11 straight seasons in Chicago.
55
Lance Briggs: A Bears linebacker for 12 seasons from 2003-14, Briggs went to seven straight Pro Bowls from 2005-11. He was a third-round pick that started 170 games in a Bears uniform.
Honorable mentions: Doug Buffone, Bears; Otis Wilson, Bears
54
Brian Urlacher: A first-round pick in 2000, Urlacher played his entire 13-year career at middle linebacker for the Bears. He went to eight Pro Bowls and was a four-time first-team All-Pro selection.
Honorable mention: Horace Grant, Bulls
53
Artis Gilmore: The NBA Hall of Fame center spent seven seasons with the Bulls and was an All-Star four times between 1976-82. He averaged 19.3 points and 11.1 rebounds with the Bulls.
52
Jose Contreras: Pitched six seasons for the White Sox from 2004-2009 and was an All-Star in 2006. Went 3-1 with a 3.09 ERA in four starts during 2005 World Series run.
51
Dick Butkus: Perhaps the greatest in a long tradition of Bears linebackers, Butkus played his entire nine-year career in Chicago. He went to eight Pro Bowls, was a five-time first-team All-Pro selection and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
50
Mike Singletary: The Hall of Fame linebacker was a 10-time Pro Bowler and seven-time first-team All-Pro honoree. He was also a two-time defensive player of the year.
Honorable mention: Corey Crawford, Blackhawks
49
Chris Sale: An All-Star in each of the four seasons he’s started for the White Sox, Sale owns a 2.75 career ERA. He’s on pace to strike out 200-plus hitters for a third straight season.
48
Andy Pafko: The outfielder played the first nine of his 17 seasons with the Cubs and was a four-time All-Star. He hit .294 during his run with the Cubs.
47
Johnny Morris: A Bears receiver and special teams player from 1958-67, Morris led the NFL in 1964 with 93 receptions, 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns.
46
Doug Plank: The Bears defensive back played his entire eight-year career in Chicago after being a 12th-round pick in the 1975 draft. The Bears’ 46 defense was named for his number.
45
Gary Fencik: He and fellow safety Doug Plank were dubbed “The Hit Men.” He went to two Pro Bowls and was a one-time first-team All-Pro honoree during a 12-year career with the Bears from 1976-87.
44
Phil Cavarretta: A Cubs first baseman and outfielder for 20 years from 1934-53, Cavarretta hit .292, made three All-Star teams and was the NL MVP in 1945.
43
Dennis Eckersley: The Hall of Fame pitcher played his last three seasons as a starter with the Cubs from 1984-86. He went on to become one of the best relievers in baseball history.
42
Sid Luckman: The Bears’ Hall of Fame quarterback set a number of benchmarks during his career, throwing the first 400-yard game and also a seven-touchdown game. He was a three-time Pro Bowler and five-time first-team All-Pro honoree.
Honorable mention: Bruce Sutter, Cubs
41
Brian Piccolo: The running back played four seasons for the Bears from 1966-69 before dying of cancer. The Bears honor a rookie and veteran every season with an award named after him for the players who best exemplify courage, loyalty and teamwork.
40
Gale Sayers: The Bears’ Hall of Fame running back played his entire seven-year career in Chicago from 1965-71. He led all NFL rushers in 1966 and 1969, and Sayers held nearly every Bears rushing record at the time of his retirement.
Honorable mention: Rick Sutcliffe, Cubs
