So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 39
No. 39:
Our pick:
==Sam Cunningham, USC football (1970-'72)
The '72 All-American out of Santa Barbara found himself on a national championship team because of his ability to leap up and over the line of scrimmage. Hence, the name "Sam Bam." In the '73 Rose Bowl, Cunningham scored on four short-yard dives and was named the game's MVP, which was enough to get him inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in '92. But the most influencial game he was apart of was the 1970 contest against Alabama where he had 135 yards and two touchdown on just 12 carries. A book he co-authored "Turning the Tide" tells the story of the Crimson Tide's all-white powerhouse team under coach Bear Bryant, and how USC's integrated squad with an all-black backfield made believers out of those in the South. As the legend goes, Bryant took Cunningham into the Alabama locker room after the game and said, "Gentlemen, this is what a football player looks like." Probably closer to the truth is that Bryant made the comment in the hallway outside the USC locker room to a bunch of Alabama boosters; Cunningham says he doesn't recall ever going into the Alabama locker room after the game that supposedly changed the South for good.
In an SI.com list of the greatets college football players linked to a certain number, Cunningham was runner-up to Texas A&M's John Kimbrough.
After USC, Cunningham had an nine-year NFL run, mostly starring with the New England Patroits, and then saw brother Randall become and NFL quarterback. USC inducted Cunningham into its Hall of Fame in 2001.
Runner-up:
==Mike Witt, Angels (1982-'90)
Pitched the 11th perfect game in baseball history against Texas on the last day of the '84 season; wore No. 40 in 1981.
Other No. 39s:
==Dave Parker, Angels ('91)
==Hoyt Wilhelm, Angels ('69)
Note:
The Dodgers' Roy Campanella, perhaps the most famous No. 39, regrettably never played in L.A.
Sports Illustrated's choice for the all-time No. 39: Campanella, over Larry Czonka.
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: