The Los Angeles Dodgers have 10 retired uniform numbers and with the addition of Gil Hodges to the Baseball Hall of Fame, that will likely increase to 11, and eventually 12 once Clayton Kershaw retires and earns his own induction into Cooperstown.
Retired jerseys are important parts of Dodgers’ history, but for the rest of the numbers, few stand out like No. 16 has. Currently worn by Will Smith, it has had a lot of success for the team since 1976.
It additionally has been worn by players such as Andre Ethier, Steve Finley and Reggie Smith, among others.
However, Ethier says the one who stood out more than the others and is most deserving to be the Dodgers’ real No. 16 is Hideo Nomo, which he said on an episode of “Backstage Dodgers” while wearing a sweatshirt with right-hander on it, via SportsNet LA:
“Rick Monday, great No. 16. Paul Lo Duca, great No. 16. Andre Ethier, eh No. 16. Will Smith, good No. 16. But the real 16, Nomo. I had to throw it back. Giving props to all those old L.A. players.”
Nomo wore No. 16 for the Dodgers from his rookie season in 1995 until he was acquired by the New York Mets in 1998.
He won the Rookie of the Year Award after making 28 starts with a 2.54 ERA and 236 strikeouts in 191.1 innings.
During his time with the Dodgers from 1995-1998, Nomo threw 694.2 innings over 106 starts, posting a 3.51 ERA and 3.52 FIP while striking out 10.05 batters per nine and walking 3.80 per nine.
After some time with multiple teams, Nomo returned to the Dodgers in 2002 and pitched three more seasons. But it was in No. 10 instead of his previous No. 16.
Nomo ended his career with L.A., pitching seven seasons and making just shy of 200 starts, throwing 1217.1 innings with a 3.74 ERA. He retired at 1,976.1 innings with a 4.34 ERA, 4.23 FIP, 22.7 K%, 10.7 BB% and 27.3 WAR.
Ethier: no player like Ken Griffey Jr.
During the 1990s through early 2000s, Ken Griffey Jr. was capturing the hearts of baseball fans everywhere.
Among those was Etiehr, who made Griffey his role model when he was a child.
Ethier believes there still hasn’t been a player of his caliber on both offense and defense or anyone like him since Griffey retired.
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