FAN FUEL: GREATEST PLAYERS TO WEAR NO. 8
BY CLAYTON RICHER – FAN FUEL BLOGGER
In a new feature on Fan Fuel, we will look at individual jersey numbers and compile a list of the greatest to wear that number across the four major sports: NHL, MLB, NFL and NBA. Today, it’s the number 8 and it’s an all-star list.
The number 8 is near and dear to my heart because of a former Montreal Expos catcher who wore the number with pride as an ambassador for Canada.
MLB: Gary Carter. Hall of Famer Gary Carter, who was affectionately referred to as “The Kid” because of his youthful exuberance, was my baseball idol while growing up in Northern Ontario. Carter would play 19 years in the major leagues with 12 of those years being with the Expos. Carter smashed 324 career home runs and was an integral piece of 1986 New York Mets World Series team. I was fortunate enough to meet Carter at his Canadian Hall of Fame induction in 2001 and “The Kid” lived up to my all my expectations and then some. Carter tragically succumbed to cancer in 2012 at the age of 57. I realize there are plenty of worthy MLB candidates who wore the #8 in Cal Ripken, Yogi Berra, Carl Yastrzemski and Joe Morgan however “The Kid” will always get my vote.
To see the rest of the list,click the link below:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/fanfuel/2013/02/11/greatest_players_number_8_carter_selanne_young_kobe/
Clayton Richer
