# Who is the "Face of the Franchise" for each major sports team in your city? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 27, 2012, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058 "2012-10-27T17:50:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/81 "2012-11-01T19:13:29Z")
Wait, if I’m not mistaken, didn’t Lafleur come back after retirement? That’d also make him a good candidate, if he played for the Habs again. > [@wmulax93](#): > > Right, but Stevie Y made the Wings relevant to two entire generations who still actively watch (or would, if the NHL were playing this season). Remember, this is a team that was nicknamed the “Dead Wings” when I was a kid in the 80’s. Yzerman is responsible for anyone caring about that team in the past 25 years. > > Growing up, we all knew who Gordie Howe was and what a Gordie Howe Hat Trick is, but we all wanted to _be_ Yzerman. Well, I’ll defer to Wings fans then. But I personally always think of Howe when someone talks about the history of the Red Wings. I’m a big fan. ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2012, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/82 "2012-11-01T22:31:43Z")
My city is Sacramento, so we have the last 20 or so years of the Kings, most of which pretty much sucked. The rest featured Chris Webber. And since nobody has done San Francisco yet… 49ers - Joe Montana Giants - Willie Mays ---
**Author:** ![markdash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@markdash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markdash)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/83 "2012-11-02T06:19:20Z")
San Francisco/Bay Area Current: 49ers - Patrick Willis/Frank Gore/Alex Smith (is Harbaugh eligible? If so, it’s him.) Raiders - Darren McFadden Warriors - Steph Curry Giants - Buster Posey Athletics - Josh Reddick? All time: 49ers - Joe Montana Raiders - Marcus Allen Warriors - Rick Barry Giants - Willie Mays Athletics - Rickey Henderson Edit: Not enough of a Sharks fan to hazard a guess at their all-timer. Owen Nolan? Guess the current would be Joe Thornton. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/84 "2012-11-02T12:33:07Z")
Prior to the Big Red Machine, the all-time face of the Reds might have been Ted Kluszewski. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/85 "2012-11-02T13:41:40Z")
> [@bouv](#): > > No other Boston fans around here besides us? 😛 > > But I agree with you nearly 100%…the only slight change I might make is Bergeron over Chara, but a case can easily be made for either one. > > Too bad Thomas is sitting this season out, otherwise I’d go with him. > > And for the Celtics, an argument might be able to be made for Garnett, though I’m not a huge basketball fan, so I don’t know if he’s as popular as Rondo or Pierce. If we’re talking just current ‘face’ I think Garnett is right up there, maybe even number one. He’s certainly a lot more recognizable and just as popular as Rondo or Pierce. I’d also put Auerbach on the short list for historic face. Bird is probably comfortably #1, but Auerbach and Russell are tied for #2. On that line, the current and historic Patriots face is really the two-headed Brady-Bellichek monster (awkwardly wearing a high-fashion shirt under a ripped-sleeved hoodie). Finally, if we _need_ a face for the MLS Revolution, and don’t have anyone who follows them more, I’ll throw out Matt Reis. His Garnett-like hairstyle is at least recognizable, he’s been around for a while, and was good enough for a brief National Team stint. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/86 "2012-11-02T13:58:21Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Boston: > > Patriots: Tom Brady > Celtics: Paul Pierce or Rajon Rondo > Bruins: Zdeno Chara > Red Sox: David Ortiz > > All time > Patriots: Tom Brady > Celtics: Larry Bird or Bill Russell > Bruins: Bobby Orr > Red Sox: Ted Williams Would Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice be possibles? As a fan of the Ken Burns series, to me the face of the Red Sox is Bill Lee. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/87 "2012-11-02T13:59:44Z")
I wouldn’t include coaches which is why I excluded Bellichek and Auerbach. For the Pats I think you could also make a minor case for Steve Grogan, but he’s been so overshadowed by Brady that it’s not worth worrying about. The more I think of the case for Garnett is probably stronger than the case for Rondo, simply for personality. Pierce has the same problem in that he’s just not that strong a presence, but his longevity has to count for something. The only Revs player I could name was Alexi Lalas, but he was only with the team for two seasons. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/88 "2012-11-02T14:28:37Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > The only Revs player I could name was Alexi Lalas, but he was only with the team for two seasons. True, but if he’s not the face of the franchise, at least he’s the hair and beard of it. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/89 "2012-11-02T14:30:01Z")
> [@TexCat](#): > > How many teams can you be the face of? I know how odd it seems- but Texas fans in two cities embraced Nolan Ryan as they’ve rarely embraced any baseball player. He’s ARGUABLY the face of 3 franchises! ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/90 "2012-11-02T14:36:15Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > NYC/NJ area > All time: > Giants: Phil Sims > Jets: Broadway Joe > Yankees: Some many but gotta go with the Babe > Mets: Tom Seaver > Devils: Martin Brodeur > Knicks: Walt Frazier or Patrick Ewing > Nets: Bernard King > Rangers: Should be Brian Leetch but most will think Messier because of the cup I grew up in New York, and disagree with several of your picks. You’re absolutely right about Joe Namath being all-time face of the Jets, and Tom Seaver will ALWAYS be The Franchise for Mets fans. But while I loved Phil Simms, most New York fans didn’t (his entire career, fans were ALWAYS cheering for the second stringer behind him, from Scott Brunner to Jeff Hostetler). The face of the Giants is PROBABLY an old-timer like Y.A. Tittle or Sam Huff… but even while Simms was playing, Lawrence Taylor was the face of the Giants. The Yankees have had so many superstars and iconic players: Babe Ruth, Joe Dimaggio, Lou Gehrig… but as I’ve always said, for reasons I don’t fully understand, Mickey Mantle had an emotional hold on New York babseball fans that nobody else could match. For the Knicks, I think it will ALWAYS be Walt Frazier, who had incredible STYLE as well as substance. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/91 "2012-11-02T16:43:06Z")
> [@markdash](#): > > San Francisco/Bay Area > > Giants - Buster Posey I think Tim Lincecum fits a little better. According to the paper he still got the biggest applause in SF during the post-WS parade and the BA loves the seemingly more unconventional just a bit more than the square-jawed choirboy thing. But it is certainly close. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/92 "2012-11-02T17:05:51Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > Would Carl Yastrzemski, Carlton Fisk, Jim Rice be possibles? Yaz is a possibility, certainly the face of the franchise for an extended period of time. But he’ll always be overshadowed by Ted Williams. Fisk is beloved but except for that one swing in 1975 he wasn’t nearly as front and center. Jim Rice wasn’t liked enough by anyone to be the face of the franchise for more than a brief period. Interesting that those three (Williams, Yaz, Rice) played Left Field for the Sox covering 50 years (1939-1989) and all made the HOF. Well, I find it interesting. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/93 "2012-11-02T17:23:08Z")
> [@RetroVertigo](#): > > St. Louis > > Present > Cardinals: Chris Carpenter > Rams: Sam Bradford > Blues: David Backes > > Past > Cardinals: Stan Musial > Rams: Kurt Warner > Blues: Brett Hull > Hawks: “Easy” Ed Macauley I think these are all about right, although I think Yadier Molina is more “the face” of the current Cards than Carp. You could _almost_ make a case for Freese as well, at least with casual fans. All-Time Blues face could also easily be Bernie Federko. > [@etv78](#): > > **Retro** -The all-time Ram has to be Eric Dickerson Not in St. Louis, though. Warner is a pretty clear winner here, I think, although I might be tempted to throw a vote to Isaac Bruce or Marshall Faulk as well. ---
**Author:** ![Phila444](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba8739/32.png) [@Phila444](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phila444)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/94 "2012-11-02T17:38:29Z")
> [@DxZero](#): > > Philly: > > Eagles: Vick (still)/ LeSean McCoy > Sixers: Bynum (if ever plays)/Jrue Holliday > Flyers: Giroux > Phillies: Tough one, but I’ll stick with Utley > All time Eagles: Westbrook/Quick/Dawkins > All time Sixers: The Doctor > All time Flyer: Clarke > All time Phillie: Mike Schmidt/Steve Carlton Not bad picks at all. Would probably go with Chuck Bednarik for the Eagles, though ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/95 "2012-11-02T18:02:11Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > I think these are all about right, although I think Yadier Molina is more “the face” of the current Cards than Carp. You could _almost_ make a case for Freese as well, at least with casual fans. > > All-Time Blues face could also easily be Bernie Federko. > Not in St. Louis, though. Warner is a pretty clear winner here, I think, although I might be tempted to throw a vote to Isaac Bruce or Marshall Faulk as well. You’re probably right. ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/96 "2012-11-02T18:14:19Z")
> [@RetroVertigo](#): > > You’re probably right. About Molina. I’m not a Rams fan, so I’ll defer on them. ---
**Author:** ![HubZilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/97 "2012-11-02T18:17:04Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > Royals - George Brett (as big a “DUH” as there is in this sort of discussion) It would be interesting to see who the “DUH” picks are, where it would be basically unanimous. I don’t think there’d be too many as solid as George Brett. Bulls: Jordan SF Giants: Willie Mays Oilers/Kings: Gretzky Browns: Jim Brown Broncos: Elway ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/98 "2012-11-02T20:30:05Z")
I think Mets and Cubs fans would vote nearly unanimously for Tom Seaver and Ernie Banks. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/99 "2012-11-02T20:44:56Z")
> [@HubZilla](#): > > I don’t think there’d be too many as solid as George Brett. Boston Bruins: Bobby Orr, no one else is even in the discussion. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058/100 "2012-11-03T02:33:48Z")
> [@HubZilla](#): > > It would be interesting to see who the “DUH” picks are, where it would be basically unanimous. I don’t think there’d be too many as solid as George Brett. > > Bulls: Jordan > SF Giants: Willie Mays > Oilers/Kings: Gretzky > Browns: Jim Brown > Broncos: Elway I’d add: Indians: Bob Feller Bruins: Bobby Orr [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-face-of-the-franchise-for-each-major-sports-team-in-your-city/639058.md?page=6)