Dec. 25, 2012
Blue Jay Jersey Countdown - #45
As we countdown to '13, a season Blue Jay faithful hope will end with a 10 on the 27th, HopkinsSports.com offers its own countdown ... by jersey number ... to the season-opener against Siena on February 8.
Today - #45
Did You Know: In 2003, short stick defensive midfielder Matt Feild, wearing number 45, was one of just two freshmen on the team to appear in all 16 games as the Blue Jays advanced to the national championship game for the first time since 1989.
Player Spotlight -Zach Palmer
The Blue Jays' current #45, Zach Palmer, has been a mainstay in the JHU lineup since arriving in 2010 and counts career totals of 59 goals and 56 assists to his credit. He led the team in scoring in 2012 with 27 goals and 26 assists, one year after punching up 22 goals and 25 assists. His 27-goal, 26-assist effort last season makes him one of just eight JHU players since 1980 to punch up 25 or more goals and assists in the same season (the eight have done it 13 times).
Palmer specializes in highlight-reel goals, of which several have landed him a spot on ESPN's SportsCenter. Among his notable highlights (click link for video):
Behind the Back Laser vs. Maryland (2011)
One-Handed Wrap-Around at Virginia (2012)
Behind the back from in tight vs. Army (2012)
Jerry Pfeifer: Pfeifer starred in football and lacrosse at Johns Hopkins. He was a three-time All-America selection in lacrosse, garnering second team honors as a sophomore and junior and first team honors as a senior. He ended his career with exactly 100 points as he totaled 54 goals and 46 assists in his career.
Kevin Kilner: Kilner won two national championships (1978, 1979) during his career at Johns Hopkins (1977-79, 1981) and wore #45 as a freshman in 1977 before switching to #21. Kilner has gone on to a highly successful career as a television and film actor. Click here for more information about his work in front of the camera.
Famous "45s" in Other Sports
Pedro Martinez - Several Teams (MLB)
Although listed first, HopkinsSports.com is hardly choosing between Martinez and Bob Gibson as the best all-time #45 ... that's where the term "splitting hairs" comes in. Martinez posted a 219-100 record in his career with five different teams (most notably the Red Sox). He amassed 3,154 strikeouts with a career ERA of 2.93 and helped the Red Sox to the 2004 World Series Championship. He was an eight-time All-Star and a three-time Cy Young recipient.
Bob Gibson - St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
Many who saw Gibson pitch say that he was the best of his era - and his dominance would have translated easily to any era! One of the all-time intimidating competitors on the mound, Gibson posted a 251-174 record with an ERA of 2.91 and 3,117 strikeouts in his career. His microscopic 1.12 ERA in 1968 is a modern-day MLB record that has rarely been challenged. The two-time World Series Champion won a pair of Cy Young Awards and was named to MLB's All-Century Team.
Michael Jordan: Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards (NBA)
While he's sure to have a spot somewhere down the line in this feature, we wanted to make sure everyone knew he did where #45 for a brief time during his comeback to the NBA.
Note: Johns Hopkins men's lacrosse rosters are generally available back to 1950. In many years after 1950, only an alphabetical list is available. The Blue Jay Jersey Countdown is intended to be an enjoyable way to count down to the 2013 season. It is not intended to rank in any way the players who wore a particular number.
