101. Number 10

Episode Synopsis
The podcast about uniform numbers breaks down the greatest athletes ever to wear uniform number 10. Baseball great Ron Cey joins Tom and Rudy to talk about how he got #10 with the Dodgers, what it was like to wear #11 in stops in Chicago and Oakland, the nickname, “The Penguin” and how it feels to have another Dodger third baseman wearing the number he made famous. We also have our Contenders, Heat Check, Screen Stars, the Hall of Shame, a non-soccer Hall of Fame and more!

Today’s Guest
Ron Cey played third base for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1971 to 1987. He was a key member of the powerhouse Dodger teams of the 1970s that won four National League pennants and won the 1981 World Series in which Cey was named MVP.  He was a six-time All-Star and is still the highest-rated Dodger infielder of all-time by WAR. He finished his career playing for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland A’s while wearing #11.

Show Notes

00:39 – “A very special number indeed for me” Rudy kicks things off with a heartwarming story of how a youngster growing up in Florida wore #10 in honor of Dodgers third baseman, Ron Cey and his super-cool nickname, “The Penguin”.

2:45 – “Number 10 in soccer is . . . it’s everything” Rudy explains the special meaning the #10 uniform has for soccer players at all levels, from Pele and Messi to Carli Lloyd and Michelle Akers. He likens #10 in soccer to #23 in the NBA. 

3:48 – “He’s bald as a billiard ball in Britain. He comes over here to America to play in the MLS and he’s got a full head of hair.” Tom wonders exactly what the deal is with Wayne Rooney’s hair.

5:13 – “Ron, thanks so much for being here . . .” Ron Cey joins the podcast to talk about his time wearing the number 10!

14:14 – “I love Chipper Jones.” Rudy and Tom discuss the Contenders for the all-time list of top #10s. The conversation includes Lefty Grove,  Sir Francis Tarkenton (and whether or not he’s the predecessor of Lamar Jackson),  Eli Manning (and whether or not he’s a modern-day Henry Winkler),  Walt Frazier (of Southern Illinois University fame),  whether or not Dennis Rodman belongs on the list of Contenders, Bob Love, why BJ Armstrong still looks like a child and Guy LaFleur.  Sentimental picks include Ron Cey, Brad Van Pelt, Manute Bol (and his run-in with Tim Hardaway), Bol Bol, Pavel Bure, Candace Cameron Bure, Mookie Blaylock (and the story of the early days of Pearl Jam) and Nancy Lieberman.

27:22 – “So now it’s time for Heat Check.” Tom and Rudy discuss current players wearing #10 who may be Contenders for the all-time list down the road. 

31:00 – “You can disagree with me, but you’ll be wrong.” Tom lays out the top 5 actors to wear the #10 in the first edition of Screen Stars. 

33:29 – “I’m gonna combo platter Heat Check and Hall of Shame . . .” The Hall of Shame, bad players or bad moments with players wearing #10 debuts. with discussions of Mitch Trubisky, Leon Durham, Art Schlichter, Rusty Staub having his number retired by the Expos after only 3 ½ seasons in Montreal, RG III and Vince Young.

38:14 – “Which brings us to the Hall of Fame . . .” Here’s the list (minus soccer players):

1.     Fran Tarkenton
2.     Chipper Jones
3.     Walt Frazier & Nancy Lieberman
4.     Eli Manning
5.     Guy LaFleur

Hit us up on our website and find us on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook. Hat tip to Friend of PUN Jorge Martin for hooking up the Ron Cey Interview. Check out his podcast HERE.