Chicago Sports: The legendary number 23 for each team

HIGHLAND PARK, IL - OCTOBER 21: A gate with the number 23 controls access to the home of basketball legend Michael Jordan on October 21, 2013 in Highland Park, Illinois. Twenty-three is the number Jordan wore while playing basketball for the Chicago Bulls. The home which had been offered for sale for $29 million and later dropped to $21 million is scheduled to be sold at auction on November 22. The 32,683-squre-foot home features nine bedrooms, 19 bathrooms, a 15-car attached garage and an "NBA-quality" basketball court. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images) /

. 2B. Chicago Cubs. Ryne Sandberg. 23. player. 9

The Chicago Cubs are one of two teams in Chicago to have actually retired the number 23. Ryne Sandberg was a second baseman for the Chicago Cubs and an elite one at that. He had six plate appearances with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1981 before a trade. He went to the Cubs with Larry Bowa in exchange for Ivan de Jesus. He went on to play the rest of his career with Chicago. 15 years later, he was one of the greatest players to ever play for them.

To get to the Hall of Fame, you need to have a bunch of elite MLB accolades. Sandberg definitely had those. He was an all-star player a remarkable 10 times. He was also a seven-time silver slugger which just showed how good of a hitter he was. As good of a hitter as he was, he was just as good in the field. His seven gold gloves are proof of that. His MVP winning season in 1984 was the first of his 10 straight all-star seasons.

Sandberg is one of the greatest Cubs who ever lived. He was never able to win the big prize in Chicago but he certainly became one of the best. Not only is he one of the best Cubs of all time but he is one of the best second basemen of all time.

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