The 10th without any hesitation. Even in volleyball, it was my number. It was extremely easy to identify with Guy Lafleur, a perfectly imperfect man. One of the nicest and nicest people I have met in my life.
André Forest
My only jersey with a number is 13. I played on a hockey team made up mostly of English-speaking colleagues, and they had no idea who the Pierre Lambert my number wanted to honor could be.
Philippe Cousineau
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Andrei Markov and his number 79
I don’t have an assigned number in the broomball leagues in which I play. On the other hand, when I can, I choose 79 in honor of Andrei Markov. I am a defender and my last name is Marcotte, do you take her?
Andrew Marcotte
I wear the number 20 in honor of Paolo Rossi, top scorer at the 1982 Soccer World Cup. It feels weird to write this when I’m originally from Portugal.
Armando Melo
PHOTO PIERRE MCCANN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Willie Mays at bat with his number 24
The number 24 has always been my number in honor of Willie Mays, arguably the most complete player to ever grace a baseball diamond. He could hit as much for power (660 home runs) as for average (.301 in career). Add to that his speed (338 stolen bases) and his excellence in defense (11 Gold Gloves).
Gilles Soulière
I wore and still wear the 69 in hockey. Obviously, many see it as the sexual position, but in fact, being a superstitious goalie, 69 is the symbol of the astrological sign of Cancer. Being born on July 14, this symbol brings me luck… at least, I like to believe it!
Stéphane Paré
PHOTOS PIERRE MCCANN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Phil Esposito and his number 7
In baseball, I was a catcher and wore number 5 for my idol Johnny Bench. In hockey, I wore number 7 because I was a Bruins fan and my favorite player was Phil Esposito.
Michel Ouzilleau
On my soccer team, I’m the one who distributes the jerseys. I always keep the 13th. It gives me an excuse when (often) I make a blunder that costs a goal.
François Lesage
PHOTO ARCHIVES THE PRESS
Mickey Mantle
I always wore number 7 because of Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees. Coming home from school, we could watch the last innings of the World Series and it fascinated me. Fast player, agile defensively, and he hit with power from both sides of the plate.
Gene Forest
My number in softball for about 20 years was 44. For Reggie Jackson and Hank Aaron. Reggie for the spectacular and Hank for the stability.
Serge Gascon
PHOTO PROVIDED BY BERTRAND LEGAULT
Bertrand Legault’s number π sweater
As a hockey-playing economist, I wanted a unique number (like me). Since this number didn’t exist, I had to make it myself. This number is π [pi].
Bertrand Legault