Sports history is made every day of the year. We will preserve at least a small sampling from some great athletes every day based on the uniform number they wore.
9 - 32 - 15 - 10 - 13 - 72
February 16, 1953 - The legendary Ted Williams makes the headlines, not on the diamond but at the U. S. Advanced Airbase in Korea when he piloted his damaged aircraft, a jet safely to the runway. The Boston Redsox slugger was serving during his second tour of duty with the Marine Air Corp as a pilot. The baseball great that wore Number 9 was awarded with the Air Medal for the event.
February 16, 1963 - On the college hardwoods, North Carolina Tarheels player wearing Number 32, Billy Cunningham, Number in Carolina Blue, hauled in 27 rebounds against rival Clemson to set a new record. Cunningham would go on not only to play in the NBA but also coach at the next level as well.
February 16, 1967 - Red Ruffing, who once pitched for the New York Yankees and wore Number 15 for most of his career on his pinstripes was selecred on this day to enter into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
February 16, 1969 - Detroit Red Wings' captain and sweater Number 10, Alex Delvecchio became just the third player in NHL history to score 1,000 career points when in a 6-2 loss of the Red Wings at the Minnesota North Stars Delvecchio tallied an assist.
February 16, 1972 - NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain wearing his trademark Number 13 for the Los Angeles Lakers becomes first player in NBA history to reach the career 30,000 point mark during a 110-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns
February 16, 1975 - At the 17th running of the Daytona 500: Benny Parsons in car Number 72 wins after Cale Yarborough in his famed racer Number 11 Valvoline Chevrolet sends race leader David Pearson, Number 21 spinning on the backstretch; Parsons avoids the accident and takes the checkered flag.
