Who wore it best? Top uniform numbers worn by KC’s great athletes (including Mahomes)
Patrick Mahomes had worn No. 5 throughout high school and at Texas Tech. But when he was drafted by the Chiefs in 2017, that number belonged to third-year kicker Cairo Santos.
Mahomes said that when he decided on jersey No. 15 he’d also considered 4 or 7, but ...
“(No. 15) still has the five in it a little bit,” Mahomes told The Star at the time. “But at the same time, I was actually 15 my freshman year of basketball. So I just went back to that and wanted to make my own number and do a new thing in this next chapter of my life.”
Santos played only three games for the Chiefs in 2017 before he was injured and released. Mahomes briefly considered a switch to No. 5 at that point. But even though he hadn’t appeared in a game yet, plenty of Mahomes No. 15 jerseys had already been sold.
Plus, he liked the idea of being drafted No. 10 overall — so he just added that to his old uniform number.
Today, No. 15 is easily the hottest jersey number in Kansas City sports. Besides Mahomes, it belongs to Royals star Whit Merrifield, who has led baseball in hits in each of the past two seasons, and longtime Sporting KC midfielder Roger Espinoza.
Here are some of the Kansas City-area athletes who wore Nos. 10-19 the best:
10
Dick Howser: Wore one of four numbers retired by the Royals. Howser was the skipper when franchise won its first World Series.
Otis Birdsong: An All-Star in three of his four seasons with the Kings.
Martin Gramatica: An All-America and Lou Groza Award winner at K-State.
Kirk Hinrich: Helped the KU Jayhawks make the Final Four in 2002 and 2003.
Trent Green: Threw for 21,459 yards in six seasons with the Chiefs.
Chase Daniel: Had 12,515 career passing yards and helped Mizzou to a No. 1 ranking.
Tyreek Hill: A Pro Bowler in each of his four seasons with Chiefs and a two-time All-Pro.
11
Lynn Dickey: Career passing yardage was K-State record for nearly four decades
Steve Grogan: Threw for 2,213 yards and rushed for 585 more at Kansas State
Hal McRae: Collected 1,924 hits in 15 seasons with the Royals.
Preki: Two-time MLS MVP who helped the Wizards win 2000 MLS Cup.
Jacque Vaughn: 1996 Big Eight player of the year had his jersey retired by KU.
Alex Smith: Won 50 games and threw 102 TD passes, helping Chiefs reverse fortunes.
12
Paul Endacott: Top player on Kansas’ 1922, 1923 Helms Foundation champions.
Lon Kruger: Two-time Big Eight player of the year for Kansas State.
Mike Evans: First K-State player to top 2,000 career points.
Steve Henson: Kansas State’s career assist leader.
Jimmy Conrad: The 2005 MLS Defender of the Year.
Marcus Denmon: Mizzou hoops great from KC was twice named All-Big 12.
Lauren Holiday: NWSL player of the year in 2013 for FC Kansas City.
Jorge Soler: Obliterated Royals’ single-season home run record with 48 in 2019.
13
Wilt Chamberlain: In two seasons at KU in the 1950s, Chamberlain averaged 29.9 points and 18.9 rebounds.
Salvador Perez: The 2015 World Series MVP had huge hit in 2014 Wild Card Game.
14
Ed Podolak: Did it all for Chiefs, rushing, receiving, returning kicks and punts.
Darnell Valentine: KU star was first to be named All-Big Eight in four straight seasons.
Dom Dwyer: Double-digit goal scorer in three straight seasons as striker for Sporting KC.
Ericka Mattingtly: First KC Roos women’s hoops player to win top conference honor.
Clint Bowyer: Emporia, Kansas native is a 10-time race winner on NASCAR’s top circuit.
Sammy Watkins: Averaged 93 receiving yards a game in five playoff starts for the Chiefs.
15
Jo Jo White: A two-time All-America and three time All-Big Eight selection for KU.
Phil Bradley: Mizzou quarterback and baseball star.
Scott Wedman: Averaged 16.5 points per game for KC Kings and made two NBA All-Star Games.
Carlos Beltran: 1999 rookie of the year had 123 homers in seven seasons with Royals.
Mario Chalmers: Will forever be remembered for KU three-pointer in 2008 NCAA title game.
Seth Sinovic: Helped Sporting KC win MLS Cup in 2013 and three Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup titles.
Whit Merrifield: All-position specialist has baseball’s most hits over past two years.
Roger Espinoza: Midfield staple in his second stint with SKC (also wore 17, 27).
Patrick Mahomes: In two seasons as a starter, he has been the Super Bowl LIV MVP and 2018 NFL MVP.
16
Clyde Lovellette: KU star was first to win NCAA and NBA titles and Olympic gold..
Len Dawson: Pro Football Hall of Famer “Lenny the Cool” helped Chiefs to a pair of Super Bowl appearances, winning one.
Ed Charles: Steady third baseman set KC A’s record for career games played.
Bo Jackson: Electrified the nation with his hitting and field feats with the Royals.
Brad Smith: Mizzou quarterback was a threat with his arm and legs.
Billy Butler: Batted .295 in eight seasons with Royals and won a Silver Slugger award.
Tyler Lockett: K-State star wide receiver was All-America return specialist.
17
Wade Davis: Moved to the bullpen and dominated. His strikeout ended 2015 World Series.
18
Emmitt Thomas: Hall of Famer with 58 career interceptions.
Johnny Damon: Stole 156 bases and hit .292 in six season with Royals
19
Joe Montana: Led Chiefs to AFC Championship Game, compiling a 17-8 record as a starter in two seasons here.
This story was originally published July 30, 2020 at 5:00 AM.