Whose number should be retired?

[Dale]

I tried to put together a list of the eight best players to play for the Hogs, based on how they did when they were here and how they compared to everyone else who played for the Hogs. Tell me why you voted the way you did if you want to share.


The stats are career numbers (how they rank on the career list).


#25 Matt Carnes 1995-97
58 games, 24 wins (4), 15 complete games (5), 39 starts (8), 306 innings pitched (2), 301 strikeouts (1)
Freshman All-America in 1995, All-SEC in 1996 & 1997.

#14 Matt Erickson 1995-97
.377 avg (1), 690 at bats, 260 hits (3), 183 singles (2), 62 doubles (2), 188 runs (5), 358 total bases (10)
Freshman All-America in 1995, All-SEC in 1996 & 1997.

#9 Jeff King 1984-86
.372 average (3), 237 hits (7), 56 doubles (7), 42 homeruns (2), .695 slugging % (1), 178 runs (7), 204 RBI (2), 443 total bases (2), 104 walks (7)
Freshman All-America in 1984, All-America in 1985 & 1986, All-SWC in 1985 & 1986.

#15 Ryan Lundquist 1996-99
232 games (4), 874 at bats (2), 288 hits (1), 157 singles (5), 68 doubles (1), 56 homeruns (1), .616 slugging % (5), 241 runs (1), 233 RBI (1), 538 total bases (1)
All-America in 1997, All-SEC in 1997 & 1998.

#2 Kenderick Moore 1992-96
242 games (1), 880 at bats (1), 282 hits (2), 209 singles (1), 13 triples (10), 204 runs (3), 151 RBI (9), 400 total bases (4), 95 stolen bases (1)
All-America in 1996, All-SEC in 1996.

#14 Phillip Stidham 1989-91
105 games (1), 33 saves (1), 1.62 ERA (1)
Freshman All-America in 1989, All-America in 1990 & 1991, All-SWC 1989, '90 & '91.

#24 Scott Tabor 1979-82
34 wins (1), 28 complete games (1), 46 starts (1), 368 innings pitched (1), 261 strikeouts (3), 2.67 ERA (5)
All-SWC in 1981 & 1982.

#17 Allen Williams 1991-94
214 games, 769 at bats (4), 247 hits (4), 150 singles (6), 60 doubles (3), 19 triples (2), 193 runs (4), 153 RBI (8), 399 total bases (6), 71 stolen bases (2), 129 walks (2)
All-SEC in 1992 & 1994.

[Dr. HeathHog]

I've only seen 1/2 of these guys play. But I'm going to vote outside of those and say Jeff King. Although Lundquist comes out with more Homers and RBIs, King seems by far to have been the most highly touted leaving the U of A. Also, Lundquist had an extra year to amass those totals. King the only hitter on there that was 2 time AA.

[Charlie]

Hard to pick against Jeff King and Lundquist had massive offensive numbers...but I'm going with Scott Tabor. Numbers that can't be denied and he pitched on our national runner up team in 1979.

[PigSlop]

Hard for me to go against Stidham. I grew up watching the side arm slinger pitch at the old George Cole field.

[stats]

I have to vote for Jeff King. I can't vote for anyone whose major league career is still in the making when a Major Leaguer is on the ballot that I can honestly say I watched play over the years.

[omahainjune]

I think Norm's is the only one to this date and time that should be retired. Also, there are some big names missing from the list. Kevin McReynolds. Johnny Ray. Perhaps im too tough on the qualifications.

[Dale]

Just to explain my thoughts.

It was really tough to narrow this list down to eight (the limit for how many I could have on the poll) and I tried to narrow it down to those who had great careers at Arkansas. I didn't look at anything other than Arkansas stats. Also, guys that were only here one or two years were at a disadvantage because I didn't look at single season records.

[omahainjune]

I figured that was your criteria. Out of those candidates I would have to say Jeff King. 1st player taken in the draft that year.

[RzBacks77]

had to go with scott tabor with the numbers he had while with the hogs,,, also went to school with him in jr high and high school,, he was a good qb in jr high and as a pitcher in school or sandlot,, it was awfully hard to get a hit on him

[Humphrey BOARgart]

Wow. This is really tough. College baseball is really a bouble edge sword of talent/stats. If someone is really good they're not going to stay around long enough to put up huge numbers. The guys that stay the whole time generally speaking probably don't have the skills the ones that leave early do.

As far as retiring numbers nobody's name just jumps out at me. You could make a good case for several of the guys on the list.

Looking beyond the numbers I think someone like Pagnozzi deserves some consideration. Even though he only played he has done a tremendous amount for the program thourgh his charitable foundation.

I could also see DVH's number retired if his career continues.

[Dale]

I think we all know that none of these number will ever be retired. Especially since there are only three numbers retired in all men's sports at Arkansas. It's fun to think about it though.

No doubt Dave's #2 will be retired when he's done here, in about 30 years, just like Coach D! ;D

[Charlie]

Even if we weren't going to retire a number, it would be nice to honor one player every year. They could throw out the first pitch on the Saturday of the last home series.

Plus it would give some of the new fans an idea of how much history and tradition the program has.

[Humphrey BOARgart]

Charlie said:

Plus it would give some of the new fans an idea of how much history and tradition the program has.

Are you trying to tell me that we had a baseball team prior to last year?

;D

[Charlie]

Humphrey said:

Are you trying to tell me that we had a baseball team prior to last year?

;D

I think it must have been an intramural thing or something. ;D

[CountPorkula]

Charlie said:

Hard to pick against Jeff King and Lundquist had massive offensive numbers...but I'm going with Scott Tabor. Numbers that can't be denied and he pitched on our national runner up team in 1979.

I'll tell him you think so highly of him. He was a neighbor of mine when I was growing up and helped me with a lot of baseball stuff when I was young. Now he lives next door to my brother.