So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 3
No. 3:
Our pick:
==Carson Palmer, USC football (’98-’02)
The 2002 Heisman Trophy winner had his number retired after he became the first Trojan quarterback to win the award -- something not many thought was possible at a university so tailback friendly. He left USC as the Pac-10's all-time leader in passing yards (11,818), completions (927) and total offense (11,621), plus 72 career TD passes. The game that clinched the award for him was when he threw for 425 yards in a Nov. 30 win at the Coliseum against Notre Dame. He came into USC in 1998 and battled for the starting spot, finally winning it in his ninth game to become only the second true freshman to start. A broken collar bone in the fourth game of his sophomore year led to a redshirt. After a rather uneventful junior year, Palmer took advantage of new offensive coordinator Norm Chow's expertise and blossomed. He completed 309 passes for 3,942 yards and 33 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions during the 2002 season, and later led the Trojans to a 38-17 victory over Iowa in the Orange Bowl. His completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns were all USC single season records.
The USC student store still does well selling No. 3 jerseys so it hasn't faded that quickly from memory. In fact, many peg the recent Trojans football rise in national statue to Palmer's Heisman, launching attention to the program that benefitted Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush in the following years.
The Cincinnati Bengals thought enough of Palmer to take him No. 1 overall in the 2003 NFL draft. We'll see how that pans out.
First runner-ups:
==Willie Davis, Dodgers ('61-'73), known as the "Three Dog" for his number. Wore No. 26 as a rookie in 1960.
==Keyshawn Johnson, USC football (’94-95)
==Steve Sax, Dodgers (’83-’88) (he also wore No. 52 in ’81 and 23 in ‘82)
Other No. 3s:
==Gene Mauch, Angels manager ('81-'82, '85-'87)
==Sparky Anderson, Los Angeles Angels (PCL)
==Ben Agajanian, L.A. Dons ('58) and L.A. Chargers ('60)
==Aaron Miller, Kings ('00-'07)
==Freddie Mitchell, UCLA football ('98-'00)
==James Washington, UCLA football ('84-'87)
==Curtis Conway, USC football ('90-'92)
==Jay Roelen, Pepperdine football (1957 little-school All-American quarterback)
Sports Illustrated's choice for the all-time No. 3: Babe Ruth
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: