Well, his number is.

No. 11 holds a special meaning in the annals of White Sox history.

It was once worn by Jim Essian and Don Kessinger, solid players, if not exactly infinitely memorable in franchise lore, and was last worn by Rudy Law during the 1984 season. At that point, the number was retired by the White Sox in honor of its most famous and accomplished owner in shortstop Luis Aparicio.

But while the only native Venezuelan to ever be elected to Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame will not be coming out of retirement at age 75, his jersey will be back in action for the 2010 campaign.

The White Sox announced Monday that Aparicio has given his consent for Omar Vizquel to wear No. 11 in his first year with the White Sox, as the number will be un-retired by the organization for Vizquel to wear in tribute.

“If there is one player who I would like to see wear my uniform number with the White Sox, it is Omar Vizquel,” said Aparicio in his statement released Monday.  “I have known Omar for a long time.  Along with being an outstanding player, he is a good and decent man.”

BigBadBill - 08 February 2010 01:07 PM

Well, his number is.

No. 11 holds a special meaning in the annals of White Sox history.

It was once worn by Jim Essian and Don Kessinger, solid players, if not exactly infinitely memorable in franchise lore, and was last worn by Rudy Law during the 1984 season. At that point, the number was retired by the White Sox in honor of its most famous and accomplished owner in shortstop Luis Aparicio.

But while the only native Venezuelan to ever be elected to Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame will not be coming out of retirement at age 75, his jersey will be back in action for the 2010 campaign.

The White Sox announced Monday that Aparicio has given his consent for Omar Vizquel to wear No. 11 in his first year with the White Sox, as the number will be un-retired by the organization for Vizquel to wear in tribute.

“If there is one player who I would like to see wear my uniform number with the White Sox, it is Omar Vizquel,” said Aparicio in his statement released Monday.  “I have known Omar for a long time.  Along with being an outstanding player, he is a good and decent man.”

This shows how much of a class act Aparicio is. A lot of players would not agree to let another player use their retired number.

It’s very classy for Aparicio to let Vizquel borrow his jersey number. It also says a lot about Vizquel as well.

How about the best by number?

SouthSideSlim - 09 February 2010 12:23 PM

How about the best by number?

Well, that was a nice way to kill half an hour. A very good list.

BigBadBill - 09 February 2010 12:34 PM

SouthSideSlim - 09 February 2010 12:23 PM

How about the best by number?

Well, that was a nice way to kill half an hour. A very good list.

I thought so too. The only one I could quibble with is Albert Belle.

TomD - 09 February 2010 06:31 PM

SouthSideSlim - 09 February 2010 12:43 PM

BigBadBill - 09 February 2010 12:34 PM

SouthSideSlim - 09 February 2010 12:23 PM

How about the best by number?

Well, that was a nice way to kill half an hour. A very good list.

I thought so too. The only one I could quibble with is Albert Belle.

I quibble with Albert Belle and Aaron Rowand

I don’t know about Rowand. We’ve been trying to fill his spot since 2006. At least, I think we might’ve won the Central in 2006 had he stayed.