Courtesy Wikimedia Commons, Bob Feller's 1953 Bowman card
This might be one of the top iconic jersey numbers in all of sports. The journey to find the most substantial Major League Baseball players that wore the number 19 on their uniforms starts by looking at who the Baseball Hall of Fame has in their hallowed halls. Enshrined number ones of professional baseball are:
- Dazzy Vance
- Bob Feller
- Red Faber
- Joe Medwick
- Waite Hoyt
- Whitey Ford
- Joe Morgan
- Fergie Jenkins
- Tony Lazzeri
- Robin Yount
- Paul Molitor
- Ben Taylor
- Tony Gwynn
Another telling clue to find the best is to see who has the MLB number 19 retired by their respective teams. This list of retired number 19s includes:
- Bob Feller Indians December 28, 1956
- Billy Pierce White Sox July 25, 1987
- Jim Gilliam Dodgers October 10, 1978
- Tony Gwynn Padres September 4, 2004
- Robin Yount Brewers May 29, 1994
Bob Feller
Born November 3, 1918, in Van Meter, Iowa, was Baseball Hall of Fame Pitcher Bob Feller. This legend was a 1948 World Series Champion, Major League Player of the Year, an MLB Triple Crown Winner, and an eight-time All-Star for the Cleveland Indians organization.
A Right-Handed Runaway Train of Excellence ‣ Fergie Jenkins
Ferguson Arthur Jenkins, better known as "Fergie," wasn't just a right-handed pitcher but a force of nature on the mound. From 1965 to 1983, his 19-year career carved a path through the major leagues, leaving a trail of strikeouts, complete games, and accolades.Born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada, in 1942, Jenkins' talent blossomed in the minor leagues. His effortless grace and pinpoint control quickly caught the eye of the Philadelphia Phillies, who called him up in 1965. The following year, he cemented his place as a rising star, winning 20 games and finishing second in the Cy Young Award vote.
This was just the beginning. For the next seven seasons, Jenkins became a model of consistency. He notched at least 20 wins yearly, a feat only Warren Spahn had achieved in the previous decade. With his trademark high leg kick and smooth delivery, he led the league in complete games four times and earned the Cy Young Award in 1971 and 1974.
Jenkins's journey was far from having smooth sailing. Trades led him to the Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox, but his dominance remained unfazed. 1979 with the Cubs, he threw the fourth and final no-hitter of his career, tying Nolan Ryan's record. His 300th career win came in 1982, solidifying his place among the all-time greats.
He retired in 1983 with 3,141 strikeouts, ranked 10th all-time then, and a win-loss record of 284-229. In 1991, he joined baseball's highest honor, the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving over 80% of the vote.
Fergie Jenkins wasn't just a pitcher; he was a craftsman, an artist of the mound. His legacy stretches far beyond his impressive statistics. He inspired generations of Canadian players, proved that consistency reigns supreme, and etched his name in the pantheon of baseball's elite. The quiet man with the powerful arm forever holds a place among the game's legends.
