11-11-11: The 11 Best Number 11s in Sports

We all know who made No. 23 famous. No. 99 in hockey? Of course. Kids and adults alike in San Francisco wear their No. 8 Steve Young throwbacks with pride. Same for New Yorkers and Joe Namath's No. 12.

But what about No. 11? Little Leaguers don't exactly fight over it on sign-up day. It's less known, not as revered. It's only been retired five times in the history of Major League Baseball and once in the NFL. 

That said, there are still plenty of athletes who've worn 11 across their backs and worn it well. In honor of 11-11-11, here are the 11 best to represent the number.

11. Larry Fitzgerald

He's explosive and dynamic, a defensive back's nightmare as he runs a perfectly executed slant route. He's the NFL's highest-paid receiver, commanding an eight-year, $120 million deal that makes Scott Boras' baseball clients blush. 

He earned his paycheck by becoming a five-time Pro Bowler for the Arizona Cardinals—all while wearing No. 11. 

10. Matt Leinart

Pay no mind to Leinart's bust-tastic NFL career and hearken back to his USC days, when he was winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the all-but-unstoppable Trojans to blowout wins across college football. 

The Trojans were a national sensation in the mid-2000s, and Leinart, wearing his crimson-and-gold-accented No. 11, commanded much of the spotlight as the star quarterback. 

9. Jimmy Rollins

With his golden glove and MVP-caliber play, this No. 11 helped lead the Phillies to the 2008 World Series and accomplished a rare feat in sports—he won over Philadelphia fans.

8. Luis Aparicio

Time for our first obligatory trip down memory lane. 

This Hall of Fame shortstop was a 13-time All-Star, a nine-time Gold Glove winner and a World Series champion for good measure. His career spanned three decades, and he most famously played for the White Sox, while also punching in with the Orioles and Red Sox.

Naturally, he wore No. 11 throughout his career.

7. Yao Ming

Sure, his injury-plagued career never lived up to the hype, but you can't deny Yao's popularity. Voters stuffed the proverbial All-Star ballot box for the 7'6" center, ensuring that he'd make the team eight times in his tenure with the Houston Rockets.

And when those fans ignored the injuries and average play and voted for Yao, they were punching the ticket of No. 11.

6. Didier Drogba

If even you're not an English Premier League super fan, you may recognize the name of the Chelsea striker. He's world-class and has led one of the EPL's grandest teams since 2004.

Plus, if you're a video game fan, you know this No. 11 was a big reason to pick Chelsea in FIFA Soccer for years.

5. Darrell Waltrip

If you're around my age, you know Waltrip is the always way too excited or over-caffeinated NASCAR announcer who screams "Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!" through your television speakers with the force of a V-8 at full throttle.

But rewind a generation and Waltrip was one of racing's best. He won the NASCAR championship three times, all while deftly piloting the No. 11 car around.

4. Sparky Anderson

The Detroit Tigers retired Anderson's No. 11 in June, adding it to Comerica Park's legend-honoring brick wall in center field. The late, World Series-winning manager's name and number are now alongside greats like Ty Cobb and Al Kaline.

But for the sake of full disclosure, Anderson is also remembered for wearing No. 10 in the Midwest. The Cincinnati Reds honored him after he brought them a pair of World Series titles earlier in his career.

3. Phil Simms

Simms is a part of every sports fan's Sunday, helping call CBS' biggest NFL game of the week alongside Jim Nantz. He's not one to bite his tongue on an opinion, and millions absorb his expertise as he telestrates away the idiosyncrasies of a play-action wheel route.

He earned his cachet in the NFL world quarterbacking the New York Giants, who retired his No. 11 after he helped lead the team to a pair of Super Bowls.

2. Mark Messier

This left winger is regarded as one of the best to ever hit the ice. Whether it be his Stanley Cup-winning play with the Edmonton Oilers or New York Rangers, Messier contributed while wearing No. 11.

1. Isiah Thomas

The best thing to do is remember Thomas the player, an amazing, astounding, No. 11-wearing point guard who led the Detroit Pistons to a pair of NBA titles.

A 13-time All-Star, Thomas will forever be one of the greats and is currently the best player to ever rock No. 11. It's something that almost makes you forget how badly he mucked things up coaching the Knicks.