Dodgers History: The Best Dodgers to Wear No. 23

The number 23 is widely known by many fans to be basketball star Michael Jordan's number, giving it a lot of significance, as Jordan is arguably one of the most recognizable names in sports. However, the number has quite a history in Dodger Blue, as well, and it's about to be added to as Los Angeles welcomed Adrian Gonzalez to town, knighting him as the latest in a long line of famous No. 23's in Dodger history. Every fan across Dodgers Nation is excited to have Gonzalez playing first base, and the city of Los Angeles excels at welcoming a new star. Here's a look at some of the best wear No. 23 in Dodger Blue Eric Karros (1991-2002) Karros was drafted by the Dodgers in 1988 out of UCLA, and was called-up in Sept. 1991, and would go on to win the NL Rookie of the Year in 1992. Karros is the all-time L.A. Dodgers leader in home runs with 270, and was a steady fixture at first base for the Dodgers throughout the 1990s, winning a silver-slugger in 1995, and hitting 30+ HRs and 100+ RBIs in four of five consecutive seasons from 1995-1999. Perhaps his best all-around season was in 1999 when Karros had career highs with a .304 average, 34 HRs and 112 RBIs. Despite all those numbers, Karros never played in an All-Star game. Karros was traded to the Chicago Cubs after the end of the 2002 season. EK can currently be seen broadcasting MLB games on Fox. Casey Blake (2008-2011) The man with the most famous beard in baseball before Brian Wilson, Casey Blake came over in a mid-season trade from the Cleveland Indians in 2008, and became a veteran presence on a team of young, budding stars that included Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Blake played a steady third base and was instrumental in the Dodgers making it to back-to-back National League Championship Series in 2008 and 2009. Blake had his best season with the Dodgers in '09 batting .280 with 18 HRs and 79 RBIs. Casey was slowed by injuries in 2011, forcing him out of Los Angeles, and prompting him to sign a contract with the Colorado Rockies in the off-season, but subsequently was released and announced his retirement. Claude Osteen (1965-1973) When one thinks of the Dodgers' dominant pitching in the 1960s, the first thing that comes to mind are Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Osteen was acquired during the pennant race of 1965 to round out the pitching staff, helping the Dodgers win the World Series against the Minnesota Twins that year. He pitched in the World Series the next year, as well, in the Dodgers losing effort to the Baltimore Orioles. Osteen was a three-time All-Star with the Dodgers and his 147 wins are fourth all-time in L.A. Dodgers history. Osteen had 196 wins a career 3.30 ERA in 18 seasons in the big leagues. Kirk Gibson (1988-1990) Kirk Gibson did most of his damage in the American League with the Detroit Tigers, and really only had one good year with the Dodgers, but, wow, what a year it was, where it was Gibson that was named the 1988 NL MVP before producing the most iconic image in Dodgers history with his walk-off home run in Game 1 of the '88 World Series. Gibson had injured both legs in the NLCS against the New York Mets, and was not expected to play in the series, however, with a runner-on and future Hall-of-Famer Dennis Eckersley on the mound for the Oakland A's, Gibson was sent up to pinch-hit, and proceeded to send the ball sailing into right-field, clinching the game for the Dodgers, Gibson would not play again in the series, but the rest is history. Adrian Gonzalez (2012-Present) It will be up to the newest No. 23 Adrian Gonzalez and this current group of Dodgers to take the team back to a place it hasn't been since '88, the World Series. He quickly made an impression on his new club by hitting a 3-run home run, connecting on the second pitch he saw as a Dodger. All-in-all, Gonzalez is hitting .250 with a home run and six RBIs in five games, but is expected to rise. His presence, combined with that of Hanley Ramirez, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, are predicted to take over the National League. The month of August has seen Gonzalez drive in 28 runs, a number that could be equaled in September if all continues to go well. But will he follow in the footsteps of his predecessors, the bearers of the famous No. 23? Only time will tell.

Dodgers History: The Best Dodgers to Wear No. 23

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