Most Famous (or best ever) Number 18 in Baseball History

[Second Base Coach]

MLB Network has in its library a show that names the best baseball players by the number they wore.

The show named Bill Russell of the Dodgers as the most famous / best player who wore number 18.

I grew up watching those Dodger teams. Those were my guys. But Bill Russell? I think I can do better than that.

But before I name my guy, name yours. Name two or three.

[dgarza]

Johnny Damon, for one.

[dgarza]

Darryl... Darryl... Darryl......

[Nerdlinger]

Gene Tenace has the most WAR (at least up until 2010) among all players while wearing #18.

[GiambiJuice]

My vote goes to Ted Kluszewski, one of the great forgotten sluggers. In 4 straight seasons he had at least 35 home runs AND more home runs than strikeouts. In three of those seasons, he hit at least 40.

[ian2813]

Ted Kluszewski was pretty good for a while wearing #18.

Moises Alou wore #18 almost his entire career, and I definitely put him ahead of Bill Russell.

Tenace, Strawberry and Damon are all better choices in my mind too.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Gene Tenace has the most WAR (at least up until 2010) among all players while wearing #18.

A catcher version of Adam Dunn without the playing time. Not exactly true, but I think Tenace really looks better via advanced metrics than he actually was. He was a good player but I can't get behind him as some have.

[GiambiJuice]

Gene Tenace has the most WAR (at least up until 2010) among all players while wearing #18.

Mel Harder has more.

[dgarza]

Nellie Fox wore #18 in 1949, playing for the A's.

[Nerdlinger]

Mel Harder has more.

Sorry, he doesn't.

Harder played from 1928-47 and racked up 42.2 pitching WAR and -4.1 position player WAR for a total of 38.1 WAR over his career. He wore #18 from 1930-47, during which he earned 43.5 pitching WAR and -3.9 position player WAR for a total of 39.6 WAR.

Tenace played from 1969-83 and racked up 44.3 total WAR (all as a position player). He wore #18 from 1973-83, during which he earned 40.1 total WAR.

Whether you compare their entire careers or just the periods during which they wore #18, Tenace had more WAR than Harder.

[Ben Grimm]

Would Red Faber count? The Sox didn't wear numbers until his final three years, but he did start with 18 and ended with 18.

[GiambiJuice]

Sorry, he doesn't.

Harder played from 1928-47 and racked up 42.2 pitching WAR and -4.1 position player WAR for a total of 38.1 WAR over his career. He wore #18 from 1930-47, during which he earned 43.5 pitching WAR and -3.9 position player WAR for a total of 39.6 WAR.

Tenace played from 1969-83 and racked up 44.3 total WAR (all as a position player). He wore #18 from 1973-83, during which he earned 40.1 total WAR.

Whether you compare their entire careers or just the periods during which they wore #18, Tenace had more WAR than Harder.

Ah, ok. Forgot about Harder's batting WAR.

[dgarza]

Although not the best, Bill Rigney has player and manager fame.

[The Commissioner]

I'm kind of incredulous. Bill Russell? I can't add any more to those already listed above, but how could anyone take Russell above Big Klu, Harder, Damon, or Darryl? I'm thinking he's a personal friend with someone at the MLB network.

[Second Base Coach]

My guess is they gave him credit for being a manager, or some other credit for just being around for a long time. How much video they had of the man may have something to do with it too. It usually doesn't, as I note the amount of still photos they use for some of their shorts.

Any other nominations?