So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 24
No. 24:
Our pick:
==Kobe Bryant, Lakers (2006- )
He had us at No. 8. But that wasn't enough.
The only one on this list big enough to warrent two numbers for all-time history's sake. Which one do they retire when all's said and done? That's a debate for another day.
It's apparent Bryant has embraced this new trademark, because it's the address of his new personal website (www.kb24.com)
Bryant began his career at Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pa., wearing No. 24. But by 1996 -- the year he led the school to the state championship -- he had switched to No. 33, the number his father Joe "Jelly Bean" Bryant wore in high school.
"I guess it takes some getting used to," Bryant told an ESPN.com writer who did a story on him playing video games with a youth group in Watts, where his new number was unveiled. "I wore the number in high school, so it's a lot easier for me to adjust than it is for my fans. They've seen No. 8 for 10 years. For them, it'll be weird."
Is it because of a dispute he had with a former shoe company that wanted to put out a KB8 model that he wasn't happy with? Is it because he likes the Fox "24" series? Does 8 time 3 equal 24? When asked for the best response why this happened on Yahoo! Answers, most agreed it was a marketing ploy.
So far, he's not won a title while wearing the number, and only made himself look irrational by asking to get out of his Laker contract during the summer of '07. He's in Laker camp in Hawaii. We'll see how far that goes.
Runner-up:
==Walter Alston, Dodgers manager ( 1958-'76, plus four years in Brooklyn)
The team has retired the skipper's number, because of his Hall of Fame inclusion.
Other No. 24s:
==Jason Kapono, UCLA basketball ('99-'03)
==Freeman McNeil, UCLA football ('77-'80)
==Keith Erickson, Lakers ('68-'73)
==Kermit Washington, Lakers ('73-'78, also wore No. 35)
==Alexander Frolov, Kings ('02- )
==Gary Matthews Jr., Angels ('07 -)
==Marion Morrison, USC football ('26)
==Roy Hamilton, UCLA basketball ('75-'79)
==Natalie Williams, UCLA women’s basketball
==Dennis Johnson, Pepperdine basketball ('75-'76)
==Jay Wells, Kings ('79-'88)
==Brad Correll, Lancaster JetHawks (hit four HRs in one game, '07)
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours:
Comments
#24 Jay Wells was the stay at home defenseman for the Kings for 9 years during the 1980s. He went on to win the Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers (wearing #24).
Posted by: Brian | October 17, 2007 10:27 PM