Gene Orza, the union's No. 2 man, offered a test for deciding the issue.

Our regular No. 3 man couldn't play.

So it bothers me that the country's No. 2 man is not anywhere around.

That is why I am known as their No. 1 man.

Farrell was much in demand as a No. 1 man on fire department teams and represented "many a team."

Bolt was clear to point out that he lost to the better athlete: "I got beaten by the No. 1 man in the world.

He went to the plate as the league's No. 2 man in runs batted in.

The central problem is clear: The Mets lack a classic No. 3 man.

He became Lee Iacoccoa's No. 2 man, a spot he held until leaving the company in 1990.

Cardinal O'Connor said he had wanted to discuss the "human needs of the city with the No. 1 man who's responsible for the city."