Happy New Year! We’re on to ‘24. Years have become synonymous with athletes and their jersey numbers recently (ask any 23-year-old how their “Jordan Year” is going). In honor of the trend, here are the greatest athletes to ever wear No. 24.
Team: Pittsburgh Pirates
As if mashing 762 home runs didn’t make you look threatening enough, Bonds has recently taken up Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Teams: New York/San Francisco Giants, New York Mets
The 24-time All-Star was very close with Gambino Crime Family capo Gregory DePalma. The two would often play golf together.
Team: Seattle Mariners
When Griffey Jr. was done with baseball, he just…left. Griffey took his last at-bat in Seattle on May 31, 2010, then drove from Washington to Orlando, Florida, only stopping for gas.
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays
The power-hitting outfielder tried to extend his career as deep as possible, playing in multiple minor league systems, the Dominican Republic, and the Japanese Shikoku Island League Plus independent league. At 49, Ramirez signed on to be a player-coach for the Australian Baseball League’s Sydney Blue Sox, but never made an appearance due to uncertainty around COVID.
Teams: Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers
From 1970 through 1989, Henderson stole 283 more bases than anyone in baseball. He didn’t make his debut until 1979.
Teams: Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Atlanta Thrashers
The Hall of Famer once held the record for most penalty minutes of any active player.
Team: Indiana Fever
Catchings has the WNBA record for most Defensive Player of the Year titles with five. She also once reffed a 3-on-3 basketball game that featured then-Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.
Teams: Washington, Denver Broncos
No player has more career passes defended than Bailey’s 203. Bailey is the only player with more than 200.
Teams: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos
The three-time Super Bowl champion only ever made one Sports Illustrated cover in his career, and it came at his expense.
Teams: New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs
The shutdown corner owns the official trademark for “Revis Island” as of 2013.
Teams: Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers
Woodson now owns a winery and has a signature bourbon.
Team: Hendrick Motorsports
At the peak of his powers, Jeff Gordon-branded products produced $112 million in 1998.
Team: Houston Rockets
In a league full of awesome nicknames, Moses “Chairman of the Boards” Malone had one of the best.
Teams: San Francisco/Golden State Warriors, Oakland Oaks, Washington Capitols, New York Nets
Rick’s unorthodox free throw form made him the ABA and NBA record-holder for career free throw percentage.
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
Bryant was the first NBA player to ever win an Academy Award for his animated short film, Dear Basketball.
