So Cal's All-Time Roster: No. 19
No. 19:
Our pick:
==Jim Gilliam, Dodgers (1958-'78, including five prior years in Brooklyn)
The 1953 NL Rookie of the Year made the move with the franchise to Los Angeles in '58 and never wore another uniform, ending his playing days in 1966. He had actually been named a coach after the '64 season, but injuries had him back active at third base for the '65 and '66 seasons -- with the Dodgers winning the NL title each of those years. He retired with a .265 career batting average, 1,889 hits and 1,163 runs over 14 seasons. As Walter Alston's first-base coach, Gilliams remained a fixture with the team.
On Sept 15, 1978, the 49-year-old suffered a massive brain hemorrhage and never recovered. He died a day after the Dodgers clinched the NL pennant, and his number was retired by the team just days after his death, before Game 1 of the '78 World Series. He remains the only Dodgers player to have his number retired without having made the Hall of Fame. Look up at the pavilion roof at Dodger Stadium and you'll see it there. And now you know what's behind it.
Runner ups:
==Fred Lynn, Angels (1981-'84)
When he came to the Angels in '81, traded from Boston for Frank Tanana and Joe Rudi, the former USC star was given No. 8, which he wore for a few years until his No. 19 that he wore with the Red Sox became available.
==Larry Robinson, Kings ('89-'92)
==Butch Goring, Kings ('70-'80)
==Jim Fox, Kings ('80-'90)
==Hal Bedsole, UCLA football ('61-'63)
Special recognition:
==Mario Danelo, USC football ('04-'06)
A walk-on to the Trojans squad in '03, set an NCAA record hitting 83 of 86 PATs in '05, and was the team's leading scorer in '06 with 89 points, hitting 15 of 16 field goals and 44 of 48 PATs. The San Pedro native had two field goals in USC's '07 Rose Bowl win over Michigan. A few days later, he was discovered dead off White Point Cliff in San Pedro. The team has No. 19 on their helmets, on the goal post pads at the Coliseum and a sign, "Living the Dream" in his honor around their locker room.
Other No. 19s:
==Remy Hamilton, Avengers ('02- )
==Jeff Dankworth, UCLA ('74-'76)
==Alex Hannum, USC basketball ('43, '46-'47)
==Marcedes Lewis, UCLA football ('02-'05)
==Dennis Dummitt, UCLA football ('69-'70)
Note: Lance Alworth did not play with the 1960 L.A. Chargers, joining them in '61 in San Diego
Sports Illustrated's choice for the all-time No. 19: Johnny Unitas, over Steve Yzerman.
Did we miss anyone?
You've got our vote, now let's see yours: