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Sports Famous #40's
The History of #40 in Professional Sports.
By Chris Turner, Zetterbergfan.com, LAST UPDATE: August 10th, 2010 Recently ESPN asked the question; who were the finest athletes to wear uniform numbers 00-99? Henrik Zetterberg made the fans top five #40’s. Which got me thinking about who are the best players in the history of hockey, football, baseball, and basketball to wear No. 40? Who was the first to ever wear # 40 in each sport? What other athletes in Detroit Sports wore the number? What about Detroit Red Wings who wore it before Zetterberg? So, I began to research about the athletes who wore the number, and what a number means to the players that wore them. What’s in a number? For some players, the number makes the man. And a lot of players take which number they wear very seriously. They often chose numerals of significance, which mean something to them personally. Some like to wear numbers that their sport’s idols wore. Some are superstitious and there are certain numbers they won’t wear. Players who end up on new teams sometimes go to great lengths to ensure they wear the same number that they have always worn. Legendary players become known by just their number…in hockey it’s #99. In basketball it’s #23, For the Red Wings its #9 and #19. When a team retires a number the player will always be remembered by that jersey. Why does Zetterberg wear #40? It wasn’t always the case. Coming up in Sweden with his hometown club Timra, Henrik always wore #20. That number has already been retired by the Red Eagles and hung in the rafters. In 2002, Zetterberg, then a 21 year-old prospect of the Detroit Red Wings, made the Swedish Olympic team. It was the first time he wore #40, due to his already famous #20 being worn by veteran forward Magnus Arvedson of the Ottawa Senators. It appeared that #20 would be available for Zetterberg for his eventual rookie season in Detroit, after long-time Red Wing Martin Lapointe departed in 2001. It was widely speculated that this was the number Henrik would wear when he made his NHL debut. However, that same summer the Wings signed free-agent future Hall-of-Famer Luc Robitaille, and he clearly had rights to #20. So, when Zetterberg made his NHL debut the following season, 2002-03, he reverted back to #40. Presumably, he just doubled his original uniform number when #20 wasn’t available with team Sweden, and stuck with that idea in Detroit. Robitaille left the Wings after the 2002-03 season, and many believed that Henrik could change to #20 to start his sophomore season, but he stuck with his new identity. Later that season, the Red Wings acquired veteran Robert Lang from the Washington Capitals, who brought the #20 with him and wore it for the next two seasons. The Legacy that comes with wearing #40 for the Red Wings Without intention, by choosing #40, Zetterberg choose a number that will likely always be identified with him, at least in Detroit. If he had decided to wear #20 he would have picked a number worn by 43 other players in Red Wings history including greats Sid Abel, Red Kelly, and Mickey Redmond. The #40 has only previously been assigned to five other players in Detroit hockey history, Rogie Vachon, Gord Kruppke (4 games), Jason York (2 games), Mark Major (2 games), and Bill Ranford (4 regular season games). Rogie Vachon Rogie Vachon was the first player to wear the #40 in the NHL (and most notable player to wear the number in Red Wings history) in the 1978-79 season. He played 50 games with 10 wins that year, prior to changing to #30 the following season. Best #40's in Hockey History Zetterberg has gone with a uniform number that is rare enough that, after only six seasons, he has already worn the #40 more than any other player in history and is already arguably the best player in NHL history to have regularly worn the number. Only 132 players have worn #40 in the history of the NHL. You could make a case for current NHL’ers Alex Tanguay and goalie Patrick Lalime as being the best #40’s all-time in hockey. Alex Tanguay Tanguay wore the number from 2000-03 with the Colorado Avalanche and 2007-08 as a member of the Calgary Flames. His 123 goals and 382 points is 2nd only to Zetterberg. However, Tanguay apparently has no allegiance to #40, having changed to #18 during his days with the Colorado Avalanche, and now wearing #13 for his current team, the Montreal Canadians. Most Games Career 506 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2002-Present 469 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2000-03, Flames 06-08 457 Mike Rathje Sharks 1993-2001 Games Played (Other current #40’s) 316 Marek Svatos Avalanche 2003-Present 255 Maxim Lapierre Canadians 2005-Present 224 Kent Huskins Ducks 2006-Present 218 Jared Boll Blue Jackets 2007-Present Patrick Lalime Lalime, who has worn the number since 2000 and still wears it as a backup net-minder for the Buffalo Sabres. Lalime has played in over 437 games in 10 seasons with the Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Chicago Blackhawks, and Buffalo Sabres. He has recorded 200 wins, a .546 win percentage, 2.57 GAA, and a .905 save percentage to date. Most Games Career (Goalie) 437 Patrick Lalime Penguins 1996-97, Senators 99-04, Blues 05-06, Blackhawks 06-08, Sabres 08-09 221 Fred Brathwaite Flames 1998-01, Blues 01-03, Blue Jackets 03-04 141 Frank Pietrangelo Penguins 1987-91, Whalers 91-94 Most Games Season: 82 Mike Rathje Sharks 1998-99 82 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2000-01 82 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2002-03 82 Vaclav Prospal Mighty Ducks 2003-04 Most Games Season (Goalie) 67 Patrick Lalime Senators 2002-03 61 Patrick Lalime Senators 2001-02 61 Fred Brathwaite Flames 1999-00 Most Goals Career: 206 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2002-Present 123 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2000-03, Flames 06-08 95 Marek Svatos Avalanche 2003-Present (pictured) Most Goals Season: 43 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2007-08 39 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2005-06 37 Mark Pavelich Rangers 1982-83 Most Assists Career: 269 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2002-Present 259 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2000-03, Flames 06-08 81 Mark Pavelich Rangers 1981-83 Most Assists Season: 59 Alex Tanguay Flames 2006-07 50 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2001-02 49 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2007-08 Most Points Career: 475 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2002-Present 382 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2000-03, Flames 06-08 163 Marek Svatos Avalanche 2003-Present Most Points Season: 92 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2007-08 85 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2005-06 81 Alex Tanguay Flames 2006-07 Best +/- Career: 131 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2002-Present 106 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2000-03, Flames 06-08 41 Mark Pavelich Rangers 1981-83 Best +/- Season: 35 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2000-01 34 Alex Tanguay Avalanche 2002-03 30 Henrik Zetterberg Red Wings 2007-08 200 Patrick Lalime Penguins 1996-97, Senators 99-04, Blues 05-06, Blackhawks 06-08, Sabres 08-09 76 Fred Brathwaite Flames 1998-01, Blues 01-03, Blue Jackets 03-04 48 Johan Holmqvist Rangers 2001-03, Lightning 06-08, Stars 2008 Most Wins Season 39 Patrick Lalime Senators 2002-03 36 Patrick Lalime Senators 2000-01 27 Johan Holmqvist Lightning 2006-07 27 Patrick Lalime Senators 2001-02 Best Goals Against Ave. (Season w/ 40+ games) 1.97 Tuukka Rask Bruins 2009-10 2.16 Patrick Lalime Senators 2002-03 2.29 Patrick Lalime Senators 2003-04 Best Goals Against Ave. Career 2.57 Patrick Lalime Penguins 1996-97, Senators 99-04, Blues 05-06, Blackhawks 06-08, Sabres 08-09 2.60 Fred Brathwaite Flames 1998-01, Blues 01-03, Blue Jackets 03-04 2.94 Johan Holmqvist Rangers 2001-03, Lightning 06-08, Stars 2008 Best Save Percentage (Season w/ 40+ games) .931 Tuukka Rask Bruins 2009-10 .914 Patrick Lalime Senators 2000-01 .911 Patrick Lalime Senators 2002-03 Best Save Percentage Career .905 Patrick Lalime Penguins 1996-97, Senators 99-04, Blues 05-06, Blackhawks 06-08, Sabres 08-09 .904 Fred Brathwaite Flames 1998-01, Blues 01-03, Blue Jackets 03-04 .891 Johan Holmqvist Rangers 2001-03, Lightning 06-08, Stars 2008 Prospects Simeyon Varlamov, Capitals Goalie. First #40’s in Hockey 1978-79 Rogie Vachon Red Wings Goalie, 50 Games 1978-79 Terry Richardson Blues Goalie, 1 Game 1981-83 Mark Pavelich Rangers Center, 157 Games Pavelich was the first regular skater to wear #40 for 157 games scoring 70 goals and adding 81 assists with the New York Rangers from 1981-83, before changing to #16. Pavelich is famous for being a member of 1980 Miracle on Ice US Olympic team, on which he wore #16. In three of the four major professional sports, Detroit could claim having had, (at one time) the greatest #40 in each sport’s history, with Bill Laimbeer (NBA), Troy Percival (MLB), and Zetterberg (NHL). Detroit also can claim having the 1st #40 in both hockey (Vachon, 1978-79) and in professional football (Bruce Gregory, Detroit Panthers, 1926). Henrik Zetterberg may someday be considered the best #40 in Motown’s sports history. But for now, that title belongs to Bill Laimbeer of the National Basketball Association’s Detroit Pistons. Laimbeer played 937 games over 13 seasons for the Pistons from 1981 to 1994. He scored 12,665 points with 9430 rebounds, and 1923 assists. Laimbeer also appeared in four All-star games between 1983 and 1987. Laimbeer is the 1st and last player to wear #40 in Detroit Pistons history. Strangely, a forward named Cozell McQueen is recorded as wearing #40 for the Pistons in three games in 1987, in the middle of Laimbeer's career. Laimbeer is basketball’s all-time greatest #40, ahead of stars like Shawn Kemp, Byron Beck, and James Donaldson. Another all-time great #40 to have played in the motor city is relief pitcher Troy Percival, who pitched in 26 games for the Detroit Tigers in 2005. He had arm problems that season and missed all of the 2006 campaign as well. Percival is arguably Major League Baseball’s best #40 of all-time. He played for 14 seasons wearing #40. He has pitched in over 703 games, amassed more than 358 saves (8th on the all-time saves list in 2009), and has a 3.18 ERA during his career. Prior to coming to play for the Tigers in 2005, Percival played 10 seasons for the Angels in Anaheim (1995-2004). He appeared in the 1996, 1998, and 2001 All-Star games. He had over 40 saves for the Angels in 1998 and 2002. In the 2002 playoffs he had nine saves in nine games, including three in the World Series. Since his summer in Detroit, he has also pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals (2007) and the Tampa Bay Rays (2008-09). Percival leads a pack of significant Major League Pitchers who famously wore #40 including: Andy Benes, Rick Honeycutt, Bartolo Colon, Steve Bedrosian, Rick Sutcliffe, Frank Tanana, Don Wilson, and Brian Fuentes. Other notable Detroit Tiger’s #40s are: No one wore #40 for the Detroit Tigers more times than Bubba Morton. He was an outfielder for the team from 1961-1963. He played 173 games with Detroit, had a .264 Batting average, with only 6 homeruns and 36 runs batted in. Bair pitched 95 games for the Tigers between 1983 and 1985 including as a member of the 1984 World Series Champions. He had a solid Major League Career, wearing #40 for 458 total games with the Cincinnati Reds (1978-81), St. Louis Cardinals (1982-83, 1985), Oakland A’s (1986), and Toronto Blue Jays (1988) He accumulated 47 wins and 72 saves as #40. Frank Bolling 1954 (First #40 in Tiger’s history) The Tigers started wearing uniform numbers in 1931. The first player in Detroit baseball history to wear #40 was rookie second baseman Frank Bolling in 1954. The last player to wear #40 for the Tigers was pitcher Phil Coke in 2010. Detroit Lions Perhaps more notably for “Hopalong” is that he is widely considered the greatest #40 in College Football history. Cassady was a running back for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1952 to 1955. The Thursday before the 1952 season opener against Indiana, 5-foot-10, 150-pound freshman Howard Cassady still didn't have a uniform. However, by game time he was given a uniform with a No. 40 on the jersey. It was a good thing. With Ohio State trailing at halftime, Cassady came off the bench to score three touchdowns in the Buckeyes' 33-13 victory. He earned a nickname in that game from sportswriters who wrote that he "hopped all over the field like the performing cowboy (the fictional Hopalong Cassidy)." He went on to score 37 touchdowns in 36 games, rushed for 2,466 yards and was an excellent defensive player. A two-time All-American, in 1955 he was awarded the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 958 yards and 15 touchdowns. Other notable Detroit Lion’s #40s are: Jimmy Allen was a safety who had 15 interceptions in 45 games wearing #40 with the Detroit Lions between 1978 and 1980. Bruce Gregory 1926 (First #40 in Pro Sports) There is no concrete evidence, but according to John Maxymuk (author of “Uniform Numbers of the NFL”), the earliest recorded player to wear #40 in major professional sports may have been in Detroit. Bruce Gregory played 12 games as a “back” for the1926 Detroit Panthers in #40. Hoot Flanagan , a “back” for 1926 Pottsville Maroons is also credited for wearing #40 for 8 games that year. The most recent Lions player to wear #40 is Marquand Manuel , a defensive back who is on the 2009 roster. Best #40’s in Major League Baseball History 155 Andy Benes, Padres 1989-95, Mariners 95, Cardinals 96-97, 2000-02, Diamondbacks 1998-99 132 Bartolo Colon Indians 1997-2002, Expos 2002, White Sox 2003, Angels 2005-07, Red Sox 2008 119 Bud Black Royals 1982-88, Indians 1988-90, 1995, Giants 1991-94 Most Games Pitched: 731. Rick Honeycutt, Mariners 1977-80, Rangers 81-83, 94, Dodgers 83-87, A’s 87-93, 95. 703 Troy Percival, Angels 1995-2004, Tigers 2005, Cardinals 2007, Rays 2008-09. 500+ Brian Fuentes, Rockies 2003-2008, Angels 2009-10 22 Steve Busby Royals 1974 21 Bartolo Colon Angels 2005 20 Bill Singer Dodgers 1969 Highest Win Percentage Career: .608 Bartolo Colon (282 Games, 132 Wins) Indians 1997-2002, Expos 2002, White Sox 2003, Angels 2005-07, Red Sox 2008 .548 Rick Sutcliffe (274 Games, 114 Wins) Cubs 1984-1991, Orioles 1992-93, Cardinals 1994 .546 Frank Tanana (249 Games, 106 Wins) Angels 1973-80, Red Sox 81 Most Saves Career: 358 Troy Percival, Angels 1995-2004, Tigers 2005, Cardinals 2007, Rays 2008-09. 185+ Brian Fuentes, Rockies 2003-2008, Angels 2009-10 144 Steve Bedrosian, Phillies 1986-89, Giants 1989-90. Twins 1991 Most Saves Season: 42 Troy Percival, Angels 1998 40 Troy Percival, Angels 2002 40 Steve Bedrosian Phillies 1987 Best ERA Career 3.15 Don Wilson (265 Games, 104 Wins) Astros 1967-74. DIED 1975 3.16 Frank Tanana (249 Games, 106 Wins) Angels 1973-80, Red Sox 81 3.18 Troy Percival, Angels 1995-2004, Tigers 2005, Cardinals 2007, Rays 2008-09. Best Single Season Starter John Denny 1983 Phillies, Cy Young Award Winner, 19-6 2.37 ERA Rick Sutcliffe 1984 Cubs. Cy Young Award Winner 16-1, 2.69 ERA Bartolo Colon 2005 Indians. Cy Young Award Winner. 21-8, 3.48 ERA Best Single Season Closer Troy Percival, 2002 Angels. 40 Saves 1.92 ERA Jeff Russell, 1989 Rangers, 38 Saves 1.98 ERA Steve Bedrosian 1987 Phillies. 40 Saves, 2.83 ERA Other Current Players to Watch: Rich Harden Athletics 2003-08, Cubs 2008-09, Rangers 2010 135+ Games, 49+ wins Nick Masset Reds 2008-10 141+ Games, 9 Wins, 3.01 ERA Most Games Played (position player) 783. Dee Fondy OF, Cubs 1951-57. 780 Henry Rodriguez IF, Dodgers 1994-95, Expos 1995-97, 2002, Cubs 1998-2000. 768 Marty Cordova OF, Twins 1995-99, Orioles 2002-03. Most At Bats 3437 Dee Fondy OF, Cubs 1951-57 2794 Marty Cordova OF, Twins 1995-99, Orioles 2002-03. 2593 Henry Rodriguez IF, Dodgers 1994-95, Expos 1995-97, 2002, Cubs 1998-2000. Most Hits 872 Dee Fondy OF, Cubs 1951-57 766 Marty Cordova OF, Twins 1995-99, Orioles 2002-03. 684 Henry Rodriguez IF, Dodgers 1994-95, Expos 95-97, 2002, Cubs 98-2000. Batting Average Career .285 Dee Fondy OF, Cubs 1951-57 .274 Marty Cordova OF, Twins 1995-99, Orioles 2002-03. .264 Henry Rodriguez IF, Dodgers 1994-95, Expos 95-97, 2002, Cubs 98-2000. Home Runs Career 147 Henry Rodriguez IF, Dodgers 1994-95, Expos 95-97, 2002, Cubs 98-2000. 98 Marty Cordova OF, Twins 1995-99, Orioles 2002-03. 66 Dee Fondy OF, Cubs 1951-57 Runs Batted In Career 476 Henry Rodriguez IF, Dodgers 1994-95, Expos 95-97, 2002, Cubs 98-2000. 453 Marty Cordova OF, Twins 1995-99, Orioles 2002-03. 327 Dee Fondy OF, Cubs 1951-57. 327 RBI Best Single Season Batting Dee Fondy 1953 Cubs, 150 Games, 595 AB, .309 Ave, 18 HR, 78 RBI Marty Cordova 1996 Twins 145 Games, 569 AB, .301 Ave, 16 HR, 111 RBI Henry Rodriguez 1996 Expos, 145 Games, 532 AB, .276 Ave, 36 HR, 103 RBI First in Baseball 1932-33 Ray Kremer Pirates Pitcher, 1924-33. Wore #40 for 18 games with 5 wins. 1934-38 Red Lucas Pirates Pitcher, 1934-38, Wore #40 for 99 games with 47 wins. 1941-42 Culley Rikard Pirates Outfielder, Wore #40 for 44 games. Other Notable #40’s 1955 Brooks Robinson Orioles third baseman for 6 games as a rookie. Played most of career as #5. 1985-86 Bruce Sutter Braves Pitcher. Wore #40 for 74 games with 26 saves at end of career, after wearing #42 for most of his career. 2065 Danny Murtaugh, Pirates Manager 1957-64, 1967, 1970-76). Games Won as Manager 1115 Danny Murtaugh, Pirates Manager 1957-64, 1967, 1970-76). #40 Retired in Baseball Pirates Danny Murtaugh, Manager, 1957-64, 1967, 1970-76). Astros Don Wilson Pitcher, 1967-74. DIED 1975 Best #40’s in Football History "The Kansas Comet", is the best NFL athlete to ever wear the uniform number 40. Sayers was taken with the fourth overall pick by the Chicago Bears in the 1965 NFL draft. 205 James Hasty CB, Jets 1988-94, Chiefs 1995-2000 184 Joe Morrison HB-FB, Giants, 1959-72. 158 Mike Alstott, FB, Buccaneers, 1996-2006. Most Rushing Yards Career: 6105 Ken Willard FB,San Fransisco 49ers 1965-73, St. Louis Cardinals 1974. 5088 Mike Alstott, FB, Buccaneers, 1996-2006. 4956 Gale Sayers, RB, Bears 1965-71. Most Rushing Yards Season: 1231 Gale Sayers, RB, Bears, 1966. 1032 Gale Sayers, RB, Bears, 1969. 967 Ken Willard FB,San Fransisco 49ers 1968. 7029 Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch, HB, Chicago Rockets 1946-68, L.A. Rams 1949-57. 5902 Bobby Joe Conrad FL-HB, Cardinals, 1958-68. 4993 Joe Morrison HB-FB, Giants, 1959-72. 1495 Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch, HB, LA Rams 1951. 967 Bobby Joe Conrad FL-HB, Cardinals, 1963. 967 Bobby Joe Conrad FL-HB, Cardinals, 1962. Most Interceptions Career: 57 Bobby Boyd, CB, Baltimore Colts 1960-68. 45 James Hasty CB, Jets 1988-94, Chiefs 1995-2000 34 Dick Anderson, S, Miami Dolphins, 1968-77. Most Interceptions Season: 12 Dainard Paulson DB New York Jets 1964 11 Lindon Crow, DB, Chicago Cardinals, 1956 9 Bobby Boyd, CB, Baltimore Colts 1964 9 Bobby Boyd, CB, Baltimore Colts 1965 Most Pro-Bowls: 6 Mike Haynes, CB New England Patriots, 1976-82 6 Mike Alstott, FB, Buccaneers, 1996-2006. 4 Gale Sayers, RB, Bears 1965-71. 4 Ken Willard FB,San Fransisco 49ers 1968. Most All-Pro’s 5 Gale Sayers, RB, Bears 1965-71. 3 Mike Alstott, FB, Buccaneers, 1996-2006. 3 Bobby Boyd, CB, Baltimore Colts 1960-68. 3 Dick Anderson, S, Miami Dolphins, 1968-77. First #40’s in Football Bruce Gregory HB, Detroit Panthers 1926 Hoot Flanagan , HB, Pottsville Maroons 1926 Wayne Millner, End, Redskins 1936-45 Wayne Millner, End, 1936-45 Redskins Elroy “Crazy Legs” Hirsch, HB, Chicago Rockets 1946-68, L.A. Rams 1949-57. Gale Sayers, RB, Chicago Bears 1965-71. Mike Haynes, CB New England Patriots, 1976-82 #40’s Retired in Football Tom Brookshier, DB,Eagles 1953-61. Gale Sayers, RB, Bears 1965-71. Joe Morrison HB-FB, Giants, 1959-72. Mike Haynes, CB Patriots, 1976-82. Pat Tillman, DB Cardinals 1998-01 Patrick Daniel Tillman (November 6, 1976 ? April 22, 2004) left his football career and enlisted in the United States Army in May 2002. He served in Iraq and later in Afghanistan, where he was killed. Reports in the media of his death and the background of his sacrifice symbolized a heroic image in the minds of many Americans. Tillman's death became a national controversy after the Pentagon disclosed to the Tillman family over a month after his death, on May 28, 2004, that he died as a result of a friendly fire incident. The family and other critics allege that the Pentagon delayed the disclosure for weeks after Tillman's memorial service out of a desire to protect the image of the U.S. armed forces. Best #40’s in Basketball History Bleacher Reports Greatest #40 in NBA History: Shawn Kemp 937 Bill Laimbeer Pistons, 1981-1994 894 James Donaldson Supersonics 1980-83, Clippers 83-86, Mavericks 86-92 885 Kurt Thomas* Heat 1995-97, Mavericks 97-98, Knicks 98-05, Suns 05-07, Spurs 07-09, Bucks 09-10 84 Byron Beck Denver Rockets 1974-75 82 Bill Laimbeer Pistons, 7 times from 1982-91 82 Dave Corzine 6 times from Spurs 80-82, Bulls 82-87. Most Points Career 12665 Bill Laimbeer Pistons, 1981-1994 11580 Shawn Kemp Super Sonics, 1989-1997, Trailblazers 2000-02, Magic 2002-03 8603 Byron Beck Denver Rockets/Nuggets 1967-77 8051 Kurt Thomas* Heat 1995-97, Mavericks 97-98, Knicks 98-05, Suns 05-07, Spurs 07-09, Bucks 09-10 Most Points Season 2315 John Brisker (ABA) Pittsburgh Condors 1970-71 1578 George Carter (ABA) New York Nets 1972-73 1550 Shawn Kemp (NBA) Super Sonics, 1995-96 2071 Willie Anderson Spurs, 1988-95, Raptors 95, Knicks 96. 1923 Bill Laimbeer Pistons, 1981-1994 1473 Dave Corzine Bullets 1978-80, Spurs 80-82, Bulls 82-89, Magic 89-90. Most Assists Season 372 Willie Anderson Spurs, 1988-89 364 Willie Anderson Spurs, 1989-90 358 Willie Anderson Spurs, 1990-91 9430 Bill Laimbeer Pistons, 1981-1994 7337 James Donaldson Supersonics 1980-83, Clippers 83-86, Mavericks 86-92 6976 Shawn Kemp Super Sonics, 1989-1997, Trailblazers 2000-02, Magic 2002-03 6203 Kurt Thomas* Heat 1995-97, Mavericks 97-98, Knicks 98-05, Suns 05-07, Spurs 07-09, Bucks 09-10 Most Rebounds Season 1075 Bill Laimbeer Pistons, 1985-86 1035 Marvin Webster Supersonics 1977-78 1013 Bill Laimbeer Pistons, 1984-85 Most All-Star Games 6 Shawn Kemp Super Sonics, 1993-1998 4 Bill Laimbeer Pistons, 1981-1994 2 Byron Beck Denver Rockets 1967-77 Current NBA Player to Watch Udonis Haslem* Heat 2003-010, 476 Games, 4776 points. Retired #40’s in Basketball Denver Nuggets 40 - Byron Beck, C, 1967-77 Detroit Pistons 40 - Bill Laimbeer, C, 1982-94 Atlanta Hawks- Jason Collier, F–C 2003-05 Jason Jeffrey Collier (September 8, 1977 – October 15, 2005) played just 90 games for the Atlanta Hawks, wearing #40 from 2003-2005. During the 2005 off-season, Collier died suddenly at the age of 28 on October 15, 2005. His autopsy indicated that he died because of a "sudden heart rhythm disturbance caused by an abnormally enlarged heart. The Georgia's chief medical examiner, Dr. Kris Sperry, said Collier's heart "was above the accepted limits, even for a man of his size", and said the organ was about one and a half times the size it should have been. It was reported that he experienced shortness of breath before losing consciousness. Medical treatment was performed by emergency medical technicians, but Collier died on route to the hospital. At death, the seven foot tall center Collier weighed 250 lb. The Hawks wore permanent black shoulder patches on their uniforms to honor Collier. Ray Lumpp (BAA) Indianapolis Jets 1948-49 (37 Games) Gerry Ward (NBA) St. Louis Hawks 1963-64 (24 Games) Bill McGill St. Louis Hawks/ LA Lakers 1964-65 Jerry Chambers LA Lakers 1966-67 (69 Games) Byron Beck Denver Rockets 1967-77 
Bill Ranford
Bill Ranford was the last player prior to Zetterberg to wear the #40 for the Red Wings. He played 4 regular season games and 4 playoff games in 1999. Ranford only played eight games for the Detroit Red Wings, but his performance in games one and two of the team's conference semifinal series against Colorado were remarkable. This is from the May 7 game one, in Denver, in which Ranford outdueled Patrick Roy in a 3-2 overtime victory. Ranford stopped 37 of 39 Avalanche shots on this day
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#40 in Detroit Sports History
Detroit Pistons
Detroit Tigers
Howard Cassady was the longest running and most legendary #40 in the history of Detroit professional football. He was a halfback for the Detroit Lions from 1956 to 1961, and again in 1963 Having played a total of 74 games for Detroit, Cassady had 1413 receiving yards and 1223 rushing yards with the Lions. 
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Madison Bumgarner Giants 2009-10, Top Prospect
Sayers lived up to his nickname in his rookie season with the Bears, scoring 22 total touchdowns in 1965 (14 rushing, 6 receiving, 1 punt return and 1 kickoff return). His second season as a Bear was almost as phenomenal as his fist. In 1966 Sayers led the NFL in rushing with 1,231 yards, and 8 rushing touchdowns. He had 1,678 yards from scrimmage in 1966.
Sayers career was cut short by knee injuries, and he was only able to display his exceptional talent for five full seasons in the NFL, in which time he was a 4 time Pro Bowler (1965, 1966, 1967 and 1969), 3 time Pro Bowl MVP, and 5 time All Pro (1965 to 1969) Sayers played in just 68 career games from 1965 to 1971 but amassed 4,956 career rushing yards, 1,307 career receiving yards, 48 career touchdowns from scrimmage, 2 career punt return touchdowns, and 6 career kickoff return touchdowns. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1977 and his #40 was retired by Bears.
Pro-football-reference.com List of Best Players by Number
SI.COM Best #40's in NFL.
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#40’s in Pro Football Hall of Fame
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First #40’s in Basketball
