The Numbers Game Cubs

Each year the Allen and Ginter set contains a large insert set.  This year's is called "The Numbers Game."  The concept is built around the featured player's number.  

On the back of the card is a list of other players from the team to wear that number and other MLB stars that also wore the number.

The set has 100 cards.  With 30 MLB teams, there should be three or four players per team.  The Cubs totally busted that, with seven players included.  I'll go through the Cubs cards in numerical order.

#17 - Kris Bryant

Other Cubs Listed: Lon Warneke, Charlie Root, Guy Bush, Mark Grace

Player I most associate with the number: Mark Grace

Random thoughts: There was about a 50 year period between Root and Grace where #17 was worn by a bunch of mediocre players.  I wonder if Bryant will be the last Cub to wear it?

# 22 - Jason Heyward

Other Cubs Listed: Dizzy Dean, Bill Buckner, Mark Prior, Paul Popovich

Player I most associate with the number: Bill Buckner

Random thoughts: Addison Russell wore this number last year but gave it to Heyward when he was signed over the winter.  Class move by the rookie.

# 23 - Ryne Sandberg

Other Cubs Listed: Phil Cavarretta, Jim Tracey

Player I most associate with the number: Ryno and Carmen Fanzone

Random thoughts: It's a stretch to include Cavarretta on the list because he wore #44 from most of his career.  And Jim Tracey?  

# 26 - Billy Williams

Other Cubs Listed: Jimmy Fox, Moe Drabowsky

Player I most associate with the number: Billy Williams

Random thoughts: Topps included Billy - yea!   Topps reused a picture for the upteenth time - Boo!  A couple years after Billy was traded, the number was given to Larry Biittner.  It was the oddest thing to see someone else wear it.  I didn't like it at all.

# 34 - Jon Lester

Other Cubs Listed: Stan Hack, Frank Thomas, Cal Koonce, Steve Trout

Player I most associate with the number: Kerry Wood

Random thoughts: The Frank Thomas listed is the other Frank Thomas.  And how could Kerry Wood be left off the list?

# 44 - Anthony Rizzo

Other Cubs Listed: Phil Cavarretta, Burt Hooton, Dick Ruthven, Kyle Farnsworth

Player I most associate with the number: Anthony Rizzo

Random thoughts: Cavarretta is listed correctly here.  His number was unofficially retired, as no Cub wore it from when Cavarretta left in 1953 until Hooton used it in 1971.

# 49 - Jake Arrieta

Other Cubs Listed: Stan Hack, Kirby Higbe, Bill Hands, Jamie Moyer

Player I most associate with the number: Bill Hands

Random thoughts: Hack wore the number for just one season and shouldn't be on the list.  Carlos Marmol used it for eight season and should be on the list.