Greatest Unretired Sox Number?

[PaleHoseGeorge]

I was just looking over the front page's "Sox by the Numbers" feature from Lipman. I'm wondering which number, amongst those not retired, has the greatest collection of talent?

My nomination goes to #8. You get Albert Belle, Bo Jackson, Ted Kluszewski, Ferris Fain, Ron LeFlore, Tony Phillips, and Pete Ward. You also get ace utilityman "Suitcase" Simpson.

Worst number? #26 is pretty bad. The best players were Ellis Burks and a quickly traded Bobby Bonilla. (Thanks, Hawk .)

Another dog number is #47. Matt Karchner is the only halfway decent guy to ever wear it--and he pretty much sucked non-stop for the Sox.

Other nominees?

[duke of dorwood]

#14 Bill Melton-first Sox player to lead the league in HR.

#15 Dick Allen-had 2 of the best seasons in our history and set the tone for some fun teams in the 1970's.

#24 Early Wynn, Ken Henderson, The Deacon, Warren Newson,

[longshot7]

in your #8's, you missed the incomparable Brook Fordyce, Charles Johnson, and Tony Phillips.

[Lip Man 1]

How about #14?

#14 Tony Bernazard - IF, Jack Brohamer - IN, Larry Doby - OF

Sammy Esposito - IN, Julio Franco - DH / IN,Craig Grebeck - IN

Paul Konerko - IF, Tommy McCraw - IN, Bill Melton - IN

Bill "Moose" Skowron - IN

Also some additions:

#0 - Oscar Gamble DH / OF
#25 Joe Bouchard - OF
#28 D'Angelo Jimenez - IN