So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 6

Does it drive you nuts to see others who've worn this number since Garvey was sent off to the San Diego Padres to help then win an NL West title and get to the World Series? It wasn't until 2003, when Jolbert Cabrera was given the number. Followed by Brent Mayne, Jason Grabowski, Kenny Lofton ... Tony Abreu?
Garvey, who came up as a wild-throwing second and third baseman before he was converted to first for good in '74, actually took the number because it was made available when Ron Fairly left after nine seasons. Carl Furillo wore it for 13 seasons prior to that.
The team's policy these days (unless you're Jim Gilliam) is to not retire a player's number until he makes the Hall of Fame, with his career primarily with the franchise. There's the rub.
On his official site, where he solicits himself as an after-dinner speaker, there's also a link called "Call to Cooperstown," a reference to the fact he's not in the Hall, probably should be, but has done so many illogical things in his life that perhaps the voters are now too embarassed to separate the player from the man.
Among his achievements that can't just be pushed aside: 1974 National League Most Valuable Player, owner of the longest consecutive games played streak in NL history (1,207), a 10-time NL All-Star, a .294 career average with 2,599 hits, had 200 or more hits six times in seven seasons, drove in 100-plus runs five times, was the only player voted into an All-Star game as a write-in candidate (in '74, where he was also the game's MVP); set a major-league record with a career .996 field percentage, which included the only player in history to record an errorless season at first base, in '84 (and Wes Parker won the all-time Rawlings Gold Glove award) ... and his postseason stuff, that included a .300 average or better in 11 post-season series, including a .389 mark with four homers and seven RBI in the four-game '78 NLCS.
They've named a junior high after him. His nickname was "Mr. Clean."
What else do we need to say about him?
We've humored ourselves to note that, among the first blog entries posted on this site, was one headlined "06-06-Oh, Garv," on June 6, 2006 -- or 666 -- which was the curse of Garvey.
Party on, Garv. And give us back our wallet.

Other No. 6s:
==Eddie Jones, Lakers ('96-'99) (also wore 25 from '94-'96 until the team retired it for Gail Goodrich)
==Carl Furillo, Dodgers (’58-’60; in Brooklyn from '46-'57)
==Marc Wilson, Raiders (’80-’87)
==Steve Timmons, USC men’s volleyball ('80-'82)
==Bill Buckner, Angels ('87-'88)
==Tim McDonald, USC football ('83-'86)
==Matt Grootegood, USC football ('01-'04)
==Eric Byrnes, UCLA baseball ('94-'98)
==Jason Giambi, Long Beach State baseball ('90-'92)
==Brad Keenan, Pepperdine men's volleyball ('00-'03, four-time All-American, '02 and '03 national player of the year)

Sports Illustrated's vote for the all-time No. 6: Bill Russell, over Stan Musial.

Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: