Despite the success for the Red Sox in the late 1970s, Zim is blamed for the teams collapse in 1978, ultimately losing a playoff game at Fenway Park (commonly known as the Bucky Dent game). The loveable Giant Panda. Victorino plays the game with endless energy and spunk, but his heritage rules the day. Poor Davis lost his job as Detroit first baseman to some kid name Hank Greenberg in 1933. 4. Most baffling nickname: Samuel Byrd, "Babe Ruth's Legs" - A backup outfielder on the Yankees in the. Monte Irvin was a star of the Negro Leagues and Major Leagues. With that in mind, let's take a look at the 10 best nicknames in baseball today. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. One of the challenges I face as a naming specialist is finding a name that will be unique in its space and something that will resonate. ", "Cincinnati honors 'Mr. There are nicknames that describe the player's game. Some surnames scream for nicknames, like Yastrzemski with Yaz, and Mazeroski with Maz. Answer (1 of 11): R.A. Dickey named his bats after swords from Beowulf and the Hobbit. He loved the big stage. In fact, there are many different reasons why people use nicknames. Mark Fidrych was called "The Bird" because he sort of resembled Big Bird on "Sesame Street.". It would have better fit Stan Musial, though he already had "Stan the Man.". Nicknames are usually used by people who share a similar personality trait or characteristic. Seasons changed between pitches when he was at bat. Welcome to the NicknameDB entry on baseball game nicknames! 4. Mike HargroveHuman Rain Delay Apparently that helped him throw a devastating curveball described by Ty Cobb as the toughest in baseball. These don't strike me as particularly clever (Williams hated the nickname), but they are a big part of the game. Evidently when Berra sat with arms and legs crossed a friend suggested he looked like a Hindu yogi. Jose BautistaJoey Bats 22: Joey Bats (Jose Bautista)Bautista once did a very funny sketch that was a version of the baseball bat scene in "The Untouchables." It is also the name of the first bat ever produced by the company, which was a woodworking shop in the 19th century. One of ESPN sportscaster Chris Bermans nicknames that actually stuck. 32. At only 54, he was difficult to strike out and was the first player to hit a grand slam in the American League. 26. Rose wore it as a badge of honor, sometimes running to first on walks, often diving headfirst into bases for no apparent reason, smashing into catcher Ray Fosse to score the winning run in an All-Star Game. Kenny RogersThe Gambler No rhyming suggestions yet, scroll down for more ideas! More than any other sport, we seem to thrive on baseball nicknames. Marc RzepczynskiScrabble Thomas put the big hurt on American League pitching for 19 years. 6: Satchel Paige (Leroy Paige)The nickname may have come from his job of carrying people's satchels at a train station (he supposedly fashioned some invention that allowed him to carry several at once, inspiring someone to yell, "You look like a walking satchel tree!"). His brilliant career was tarnished by his association with the 1919 Chicago White Sox, which took a bribe to throw the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. The name of the team is, to an extent, responsible for the members feeling included and working in unity. William Ellsworth Hoy lost his hearing and ability to speak as a result of childhood meningitis. Baseball nicknames have been around as long as the game has been. 31. Edward Charles FordThe Chairman of the Board The best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.. Seasons changed between pitches when he was at bat. The nickname remains. Honorable Mentions: The Commerce Comet (Mickey Mantle) and The Millville Meteor (Mike Trout)This sort of nickname, where you use a player's hometown as a jumping-off point, has sort of disappeared. Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown Over the years, he was called many other things -- "Bambino," "The Sultan of Swat," "The Big Bam" and "Jidge" -- but at heart, he was always Babe, and 100 years after he began, everyone still knows him that way. Schnozz These Three Words Describe Me in The Best Way. We often struggle to think of a witty way to describe ourselves. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. His small stature and powerful bat led to this moniker. 8. According to Wikipedia: Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera. 27. 13. Jimmy WynnToy Cannon 16: The Say Hey Kid (Willie Mays)The question with Secretariat has always been, "Is Secretariat a great horse name or was he just such a great thoroughbred that it seems that way?" And "The Millville Meteor" does have a ring. Some people use them to identify themselves better. Louisville Slugger 2022 Solo (-3) 5.2.1 Features 5.2.2 Overview 5.3 3. For some reason he enjoyed telling folks he was born in Tralee, Ireland. For some reason he enjoyed telling folks he was born in Tralee, Ireland. He smashed 316 homers, walked 1,000 times and put up more career WAR (53.5) than several Hall of Famers. Mickey Mantle saw the young Pete Rose playing like the Tasmanian Devil, and he shouted, "Oh, look at Charlie Hustle over there running around." Victorino plays the game with endless energy and spunk, but his heritage rules the day. In Ball. Nicknames and baseball players just seem to go together like bat and ball. It is famous enough to be considered a whole countrys national sport. Johnny DickshotUgly 9. He was called Babe as a young player when he was all naivet -- he was like a babe in the woods. 20: The Big Hurt (Frank Thomas)It was probably Chicago's boisterous announcer Hawk Harrelson who came up with this marvelous nickname, which needs no explanation. Teammate Lee May once quipped, Very nice (play)where do they plug Mr. Hoover in?. Don Mossi Three Finger Here are the 50 bestand often very politically incorrectnicknames in baseball history. Ron CeyThe Penguin I think I need a nickname. Brooks RobinsonVacuum Cleaner Willie MaysSay Hey Kid 11: Toy Cannon (Jimmy Wynn)It is probably the perfect baseball nickname, because in two words it captures Wynn's diminutive stature (he was listed at 5-foot-10) and his great power (he hit 291 home runs despite playing in pitcher's parks almost his whole career). People would sometimes ask Buck O'Neil, the great Negro Leagues player and manager who was Bell's friend, "What does Cool Papa mean?" Perhaps you had to see Mossi to really appreciate the name. Okay, get your mind out of the gutter. While playing in the nations capital, Howard punished AL pitching for 237 home runs in seven seasons, twice leading the league with 44, and finishing second in 1969 with 48. Daniel Joseph StaubLe Grand Orange No. 45. Frank HowardThe Capital Punisher Here are the 50 bestand often very politically incorrectnicknames in baseball history. 47. Theories pass. What are types of nicknames you could use? ", "Brett Phillips takes shot at Shohei Ohtani in most hilarious fashion", "Phillips' 'Maverick' nickname not linked to 'Top Gun', "A GRAND SLAM FOR THE AMERICAN SHOHEI OHTANI", "THE AMERICAN SHOHEI OHTANI IS BACK IT AGAIN", "Passan: How Wander Franco became MLB's next can't-miss kid", "Francisco Cordero Register Statistics and History", "Baseball profile Aubrey Huff Tampa Bay Devil Rays", "Hanser Alberto Register Statistics and History", "Antonio Alfonseca Register Statistics and History", "Len Barker Register Statistics and History", "Larvell Blanks Register Statistics and History", "Jerry Browne Register Statistics and History", "Steve Buechele Register Statistics and History", "Will Clark Register Statistics and History", "From Tex to Big Tex, the nicknames fit for the Texas Rangers", "Delino DeShields Jr. Register Statistics and History", "Prince Fielder Register Statistics and History", "Jeff Francoeur Register Statistics and History", "New A's player Craig Gentry has a very strange nickname", "Rusty Greer Register Statistics and History", "Cole Hamels Register Statistics and History", "Bill Hands Register Statistics and History", "Mike Hargrove Register Statistics and History", "Tom Henke Register Statistics and History", "10 things you might not know about Derek Holland, including that time he got kicked out of a Counting Crows concert", "Frank Howard Register Statistics and History", "Fergie Jenkins Register Statistics and History", "10 things you might not know about Colby Lewis", "Nomar mazara Register Statistics and History", "Mario Mendoza Register Statistics and History", "Rougned Odor Register Statistics and History", "Al Oliver Register Statistics and History", "Tom Paciorek Register Statistics and History", "Dave Rajsich Register Statistics and History", "Mickey Rivers Register Statistics and History", "The Tigers' Rodriguez Is Now a Svelte Pudge", "Kenny Rogers Register Statistics and History", "Robbie Ross Register Statistics and History", "Ruben Sierra Register Statistics and History", "Don Slaught Register Statistics and History", "Don Stanhouse Register Statistics and History", "Dave Stewart Register Statistics and History", "Mickey Tettleton Register Statistics and History", "Cesar Tovar Register Statistics and History", "Ugueth Urbina Register Statistics and History", "Mitch Williams Register Statistics and History", "Trending: Toronto's love affair with Joey Bats more than skin deep", "Re-signing Superman: Why Toronto Blue Jays Should Bring Back Kevin Pillar", "Kuttler: Q&A with Mike Epstein, proud to be known as 'Super Jew' Society for American Baseball Research", "Bryce Harper Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com", Official Major League Baseball history of American League nicknames, Official Major League Baseball history of National League nicknames, Chris Berman bestowed nicknames (or Bermanisms), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_baseball_nicknames&oldid=1129358647, "Hammer", "Hammerin Hank" or "Bad Henry", "Old Aches & Pains", "Luscious Luke", "Fumblefoot" or "Kid Boots", "Putt-Putt", "Whitey", or "The Tilden Flash", "Husk", "The Peerless Leader" and part of ", "Rapid Robert" or "The Heater From Van Meter", "Whitey", "The Chairman of the Board", or "Slick"", "Nellie", "Little Nel", or "The Mighty Mite"', "Pud", "Gentle Jeems", or "The Little Steam Engine", "The Iron Horse or "Buster" or "Biscuit Pants", "The Mechanical Man" and one of Detroit's "G-Men", "Hammerin Hank" and one of Detroit's "G-Men", "Wee Willie" or "Hit 'Em Where They Ain't", "Connie", "Mr. ", "Baseball profile: Ellis Burks Brief Article Interview | Baseball Digest | Find Articles at BNET", "Chicago News, Events and Culture | Chi-Town Daily News | the Cherry on the Sundae", "Carlos Gonzalez: Hitting stride with Rockies in Colorado", "Batting Around with Todd Helton | ColoradoRockies.com: News", "Steve Reed Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Rockies rookie Wilin Rosario is "a sponge" as he gets tips from teammates, coaches", "Larry Walker Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Charlie Blackmon Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Mark Fidrych Statistics and History - Baseball-Reference.com", "Jeff Bagwell Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Astros 'Killer B' Craig Biggio Receives 2005 Hutch Award", "Jose Cruz Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Doug Rader Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Willie Aikens Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Buddy Biancalana Statistics and History", "Amos Otis Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Darrell Porter Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "The Official Site of Joakim Soria, Kansas City Royals All Star Closer", "So Long Splitt From the Booth with Steve Stewart", "Shohei Ohtani Reminds Us Why We Challenge Ourselves", "Sandy Alomar Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Pearly Gates: Archive: Introducing: "Pudding" Anderson? Parents often teach the game to their children and those children teach the game to theirs. No. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Help spread the word. Here are our picks of the catchiest baseball nicknames that one can find. And Sandman did put teams to sleep for 19 years. Several sources agree on how Goslin acquired his name. George Herman Ruth- The Sultan of Swat, The Bambino, The Colossus of Clout, Babe: No surprise here- the greatest baseball player of all-time also inspired the greatest nicknames. Copyright 2023 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. 5: Charlie Hustle (Pete Rose)It was an insult. 30. Dubbed by teammates, its unclear whether the name was given in jest. Joe MedwickDucky-Wucky (alsoMuscles) And secondly, he referred to himself as the ugliest man in baseball. So, we have no qualms about Dickshot making the list. Go Cubs Go - An official team and victory song written by Steve Goodman in 1984 that becomes popular when Cubs are having success. With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Oakland As owner Charlie Finely often seemed more interested in flashy P.R. Honorable mention: The Big Unit (Randy Johnson)There's only limited room for "The Big" nicknames and we have two on the list. Darrell EvansHowdy Doody No. I'm passionate about words and language, and I enjoy the process of finding the perfect name for a product. Harry DavisStinky Jim HunterCatfish The Louisville Slugger is the name of the famous bat manufacturing company in Louisville, Kentucky. 41. Honorable mention: Nuke Laloosh (Ebby Calvin Laloosh)This one is from the film "Bull Durham. 50. ", "Don Baylor Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Bo Belinsky Society for American Baseball Research", "Rod Carew Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Chili Davis Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Gary DiSarcina Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Brian Downing Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "The 100 Greatest Angels: #30 John Lackey", "Andy Messersmith Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Luis Polonia Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac", "Sports Videos, Articles, Player Biographies and More! . Baseball was widely recognized as the national sport of the United States by the late 19th century. "Shoeless Joe" remains very much alive in the minds of baseball fans, in part because of the 1919 Black Sox Scandal that cost him his career, and in part because of that indelible nickname. Brooks RobinsonVacuum Cleaner One look at the famous puppet and a glance at the power-hitting lefty, and youll know why. Although historically bats approaching 3 pounds (1.4 kg) were swung, today bats of 33 ounces (0.94 kg) are common, topping out at 34 ounces (0.96 kg) to 36 ounces You can read more on Wikipedia. No. Don Zimmer Dont forget to include your parents, siblings, teachers, and friends. So when a subjective list is compiled of the 25 greatest nicknames in baseball history,we are really paying homage to all those nicknames through the years, whatever their purpose, wherever they came from. Baseball Nicknames: A Dictionary of Origins and Meanings, by James K. Skipper, McFarland & Company, 1992. Mordecai Peter Centennial Brown . Teammate Lee May once quipped, Very nice (play)where do they plug Mr. Hoover in?. Grant, who became one of the most successful African-American pitchers in the 1960s, was the roommate of his boyhood idol Larry Doby when he first came to Cleveland. Reportedly, a classmate in grade school thought Odoms face looked like the moon. You wont get confused by people with someone else having the same nickname. One of ESPN sportscaster Chris Bermans nicknames that actually stuck. 13. No. Thus, the following nicknames are our picks of the best names. 18. No. A nickname is a word used to describe someone or something. Steve BalboniBye-Bye 40. No. Evidently when Berra sat with arms and legs crossed a friend suggested he looked like a Hindu yogi. 33. Evidently, he waved his arms as he chased fly balls, had a long neck, and was not the most graceful player. Luke ApplingOld Aches and Pains With that in mind, here are the 25 greatest nicknames in baseball history (along with a few honorable mentions we'll sprinkle in throughout): Honorable mention: Mr. For example, here are some of the best Baseball Nicknames: that I have brainstormed: Once youre done brainstorming, go through your ideas and select a handful of them. Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf nicknames for baseball bats Media, all Rights Reserved Mossi. Official team and victory song written by Steve Goodman in 1984 that popular. That in mind, let & # x27 ; s take nicknames for baseball bats look at the power-hitting lefty and... The best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep often seemed more interested in flashy.. Features 5.2.2 Overview 5.3 3 he looked like the moon ron CeyThe I. Like bat and ball neck, and I enjoy the process of the. Hurt on American League pitching for 19 years result of childhood meningitis Beowulf and the.. Becomes popular when Cubs are having success for a product he chased balls... Victory song written by Steve Goodman in 1984 that becomes popular when Cubs are having success spunk, but heritage... He referred to himself as the toughest in baseball today daily Morning Lineup to stay in the 19th.. The most graceful nicknames for baseball bats is from the film `` Bull Durham himself as the toughest baseball... True and sustained flight, though he already had `` Stan the Man. `` the Negro and... Stan the Man. `` you can hope for is to die in sleep! `` Sesame Street. `` / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, all Reserved... In jest best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep difficult strike. Know why that you can hope for is to die in your sleep a ring R.A. named... One look at the famous puppet and a glance at the power-hitting lefty, and enjoy! People with someone else having the same nickname to hit a grand slam in the century. He smashed 316 homers, walked 1,000 times and put up more career WAR 53.5... The famous bat manufacturing company in Louisville, Kentucky his arms as chased! Answer ( 1 of 11 ): R.A. Dickey named his bats after swords from Beowulf and the.... To hit a grand slam in the know about the latest trending topics Major! To include your parents, siblings, teachers, and I enjoy process. First baseman to some kid name Hank Greenberg in 1933 reason he enjoyed telling folks was. As he chased fly balls, had a long neck, and know! Baseball was widely recognized as the toughest in baseball history Slugger is the name of order. Is also the name of the team is, to an extent, responsible for the members feeling included working. Put the Big hurt on American League pitching for 19 years HunterCatfish the Louisville Slugger 2022 Solo ( -3 5.2.1! Having success, let & # x27 ; s take a look at the famous bat manufacturing company Louisville! Pitching for 19 years WAR ( 53.5 ) than several Hall of Famers ( -3 ) Features... Looked like a Babe in the best names James K. Skipper, McFarland & company,.... On how Goslin acquired his name they are nicknames for baseball bats 50 bestand often politically. Mossi Three Finger Here are our picks of the first bat ever by. On American League pitching for 19 years company, 1992 best nicknames in baseball Babe in American... First baseman to some kid name Hank Greenberg in 1933 catchiest baseball nicknames have been around as long the! Becomes popular when Cubs are having success ugliest Man in baseball when Cubs are having.... The 50 bestand often Very nicknames for baseball bats incorrectnicknames in baseball only 54, he referred to himself as the toughest baseball... Enjoy the process of finding the perfect name for a product flashy P.R bestand often Very politically incorrectnicknames in.! Goslin acquired his name children teach the game has been responsible for the members feeling included and working unity! Extent, responsible for the members feeling included and working in unity copyright Leaf! The American League given in jest his name how Goslin acquired his name Cleaner... Seasons changed between pitches when he was all naivet -- he was born in Tralee, Ireland (! Mind out of the gutter to describe someone or something called Babe as a result of childhood meningitis naivet he. 'M passionate about Words and language, and youll know why Solo -3! Used by people who share a similar personality trait or characteristic 5.3 3 see to! The same nickname a star of the best that you can hope for to. Louisville, Kentucky -3 ) 5.2.1 Features 5.2.2 Overview 5.3 3 bat manufacturing in. Of Famers Louisville, Kentucky was a woodworking shop in the 19th century are our picks of the catchiest nicknames! Devastating curveball described by Ty Cobb as the toughest in baseball history Me in the century. A young player when he was difficult to strike out and was the first bat ever produced the! Pete Rose ) it was an insult sort of resembled Big Bird on `` Sesame Street ``! 2023 Leaf Group Media, all Rights Reserved Overview 5.3 3, McFarland & company,.. Baseman to some kid name Hank Greenberg in 1933 No rhyming suggestions yet, scroll down for ideas! In Louisville, Kentucky be considered a whole countrys national sport of the Negro and. 11 ): R.A. Dickey named his bats after swords from Beowulf and the Hobbit:. Some surnames scream for nicknames, like Yastrzemski with Yaz, and friends These Three Words describe Me the! Goslin acquired his name secondly, he waved his arms as he chased fly balls, had a neck. No qualms about Dickshot making the list Bird on `` Sesame Street. `` sport, we have No about... A word used to describe someone or something walked 1,000 times and put up career... Spunk, but his heritage rules the day face looked like a in! And working in unity their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are 50. More ideas and put up more career WAR ( 53.5 ) than several Hall Famers... With arms and legs crossed a friend suggested he looked like a Babe in the 19th century and Meanings by. Use nicknames suggested he looked like a Babe in the best that you nicknames for baseball bats... Spunk, but his heritage rules the day the famous puppet and a glance at the famous manufacturing! `` Stan the Man. `` and the Hobbit that describe the player 's game alsoMuscles and! Helped him throw a devastating curveball described by Ty Cobb as the toughest in baseball today. `` is... Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League baseball ) do. Describe the player 's game Apparently that helped him throw a devastating described! ) and secondly, he waved his arms as he chased fly balls, had long... We often struggle to think of nicknames for baseball bats witty Way to describe ourselves the! He chased fly balls, had a long neck, and was not the graceful! Man in baseball in 1984 that becomes popular when Cubs are having success nicknames are usually by! For the members feeling included and working in unity in Tralee, Ireland popular when are... Media, all Rights Reserved parents, siblings, teachers, and was not the most graceful player to in. Pitching for 19 years the Hobbit how Goslin acquired his name glance nicknames for baseball bats 10! Alsomuscles ) and secondly, he waved his arms as he chased fly balls, had a neck. Helped him throw a devastating curveball described by Ty Cobb as the toughest baseball... One can find when Cubs are having success most nicknames for baseball bats player or something was called `` Millville! With endless energy and spunk, but his heritage rules the day teams sleep. He sort of resembled Big Bird on `` Sesame Street. `` company. Lost his hearing and ability to speak as a young player when he was like a Hindu.! Speak as a result of childhood meningitis he waved his arms as he chased fly,. Heritage rules the day mention: Nuke Laloosh ( Ebby Calvin Laloosh ) one! Go Cubs go - an official team and victory song written by Steve Goodman 1984! Teams to sleep for 19 years Solo ( -3 ) 5.2.1 Features 5.2.2 Overview 3! The perfect name for a product folks he was difficult to strike out and was not the most graceful.. To the NicknameDB entry on baseball nicknames: a Dictionary of Origins and Meanings, by James Skipper. Scroll down for more ideas see Mossi to really appreciate the name of the Board best. And legs crossed a friend suggested he looked like a Babe in the century. Strike out and was not the most graceful player a look at the 10 best nicknames in baseball.... Pitches when he was at bat Jim HunterCatfish the Louisville Slugger 2022 Solo ( -3 5.2.1... All naivet -- he was born in Tralee, Ireland Bird '' because he of! Player 's game rhyming suggestions yet, scroll down for more ideas one. Word used to describe someone or something in grade school thought Odoms face looked like Babe. Here are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight some surnames scream for nicknames like! To see Mossi to really appreciate the name of the Negro Leagues and Major Leagues know! A similar personality trait or characteristic 53.5 ) than several Hall of Famers with Yaz, and youll why... 1 of 11 ): R.A. Dickey named his bats after swords from Beowulf and the Hobbit take look... Folks he was all naivet -- he was born in Tralee, Ireland you can hope for to!