My good friend, Ken Quick, wants fewer baseball players nominated during this countdown, but I’m going with another Dodger today. Sorry about that, Ken! I promise that #18 will not be a Dodger, but a famous Ram. The most famous #19 I can think of is Johnny Unitas and his high top, black cleats. But my #19 is Jim “Junior” Gilliam, who played second and third base for the Dodgers from 1953-1966. He spent his whole career as a Dodger. He won Rookie of the Year in 1953, made two all-star teams, and was a 4 time World Champion with the Dodgers 1955, 1959, 1963, and 1965. He died nine days before his 50th birthday from a massive brain hemorrhage. The Dodgers retired his number two days after he died during the first game of the 1978 World Series against the Yankees. He was known throughout his career as a great individual with class and dignity. He was also considered the ultimate sportsman because sportsmanship was important to him. Out of the ten Dodgers who have their number retired, he is the only one not in the Hall of Fame.
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