In “The Seven,” George wants to name his future first child Seven.
George chooses the name because seven was Mickey Mantle’s jersey number. He presents the idea to Susan, who thinks it is ridiculous, but the name immediately becomes more appealing when Susan’s expectant cousin Carrie and her husband Ken decide to use it for their baby.
George’s objection is not simply that they borrowed his idea. He worries that Seven will lose its special quality if another child receives the name first. He follows the couple to the hospital and tries unsuccessfully to persuade them to choose something else, turning a private naming fantasy into another of George’s competitive obsessions.
“The Seven” aired on February 1, 1996, as season seven’s thirteenth episode. The infant is ultimately named Seven, leaving George resentful. Some scenes from the storyline were cut, including material in which George tries to claim he is the baby’s father so he can complete hospital paperwork.