In less than a decade, both MLB catchers will be Hall of Fame members. As far as nicknames go, this one isn't much fun, but at least it's better than "Baby Shaq.". DiMaggio was given the nickname "The Yankee Clipper" by Yankees announcer Arch McDonald in 1939, when he likened DiMaggio's speed and range in the field to the then-new Pan American airliner. With a common name like Ed Jones, inserting "Too Tall" seemed like an easy way to separate the man and make him an individual. His nickname, Louisiana Lightning, is an all-timer. The amount of spin generated by the mangled bones and missing pieces of his dominant hand had great effects and led to Brown's legendary moniker. Other nicknames, aliases, and monikers include: "Shaq," "Shaq Fu," "The BigAristotle," "The Big Daddy," "Superman," "The BigAgave," "The Big Cactus," "The Big Shaqtus," "The BigGalactus," "Wilt Chamberneezy," "The BigBaryshnikov," "The Real Deal," "Dr. Shaq,""The BigShamrock," "The BigLeprechaun," "Shaqovic,"and the most recent, "The Big Conductor.". There are a couple of stories regarding the origin of Randy Johnson's nickname. "Prime Time" was more than just a nickname for Sanders, it became his alter-ego, and it became difficult to separate the man from the legend. Jordan adopted the number in high school because his brother wore his preferred #45. Kukowas a member of the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the late '90s, where he gained his nickname for his superb play and country of origin. Rumor has it, the pitcher wanted to return to the majors in 2008 at the tender age of 49, reports the Boston Globe. When he recorded atriple-doubleof 36points, 18reboundsand 16assists. Full list of Olympic athletes, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps. Robinson was a six-time All-Star, World Series Champion, and the 1949 National League MVP. This obvious alias comes from the "Wizard of Oz," and is in combination with Smith's shortened first name, "Oz.". That brings his total annual income to roughly $80 million. Douglas, standing at 5' 2", also won . "Three Fingers" Brown was able to throw many pitches that could not be achieved by a man with a full hand. When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. Newton once weighed as much as 400 pounds and was said to be even bigger than William "The Fridge" Perry, therefore earning him the nickname "The Kitchen.". Boyd played parts of nine seasons in the majors, and compiled a career 78-77 record, with 799 strikeouts. Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the best hockey player ever to play the game, in the same conversations with Gordie Howe and Brett Hull. Maravich earned his nickname in high school, from his habit of shooting the ball from his hip, as if firing a revolver. A power reliever, he put his full weight behind every pitch, so that he dropped hard to the right, sometimes falling off the mound. The running back/receiver was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. Steve Carlton (Philadelphia Phillies) 3. "Pee wee" was a term used to describe a small marble in Reese's childhood, and it would become his nickname for the remainder of his life. An eight-time Pro Bowl . It was Mike Bratz, a point guard who played 15 games in the 1982-83 season). The Galloping Ghost was also a film star, appearing in two silent films in the mid-'20s. In 2005, Traylor failed a physical exam (surprise) and has played overseas ever since. Coincidentally, Roberts adapted his nickname from former Oakland Raiders QB Ken Stabler, who was nicknamed "The Snake" for his ability to slither through opponents when scrambling. Why he's here: When you start to look through MLB records for switch-hitters, you begin to put Beltran's stellar career in perspective. Virat Kohli, nicknamed Chikoo, is a famous Indian international cricketer who is the present captain of the India national team.With a top record on his plate, he is regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world. However, his nickname doesn't rank very highly on a list of originality and creativity. There have been many outstanding athletes to dawn the number 23. Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Brazilian Portuguese: [ds(w) atiz du nasimtu]; 23 October 1940 - 29 December 2022), better known by his nickname Pel (Portuguese pronunciation: ), was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward.Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th . Legendary NFL players with number 18 jerseys include Peyton Manning, Charlie Joiner, and Emmitt Thomas, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career . Robinsons #42 will never be worn by another Major League baseball player. The durable fire-baller still holds the MLB record for career strikeouts and still fields questions about the day he plunked Ventura and subsequently pummeled him after getting him in a head-lock on the mound. ", The NBA Hall of Fame member and current TNT studio analyst is also known as"Sir Charles.". 6. The over-sized running back looked like a bus carrying opponents on his back while being dressed in yellow and black. If a player did anything to attract attention to themselves, and not the team, he would be benched. Coolest Nicknames From Non-Traditional Sports. Best Known For: American track and . He earned the moniker "The Little General" for his leadership abilities on the court and also his fiery, competitive nature as a player. The nickname literally translated means "The Duke," but his moniker is in reference to a tropical hurricane, which he is said to have brought on his opponents while pitching on the mound. Lists of nicknames - nickname list articles on Wikipedia Also called "The Boilermaker," Jeffries was a world heavyweight boxing champion just before the turn of the 20th century. Oh yeah, he also played basketball for five NBA teams in 15 years and won four NBA championships with three different teams. Newton was the prime example of how munchies can have devastating effects on your weight and physical appearance. Over 75 years after Ruth's professional baseball career ended, he is still regarded as the best baseball player to ever live. Birth City: Oakville. He is the only player in the history of the league to receive this honor. > All Players To Wear Number 23. Williams said he had wanted the No. The legendary coach lived to be 99-years-old, passing away last June. Not every player to wear the #7 has found success with the club, but it has been donned by icons that have had a lasting impact on the beautiful game. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Let's start with the two most simple nicknames: Mike and MJ. 3 - Babe Ruth. The Canadian ice hockey legend got his moniker from his thundering slap shot, which was said to echo through stands and arenas like a sonic boom. This is a list of sportspeople with nicknames. Also known as simply "A.I.," Iverson became known as "The Answer" in his first tour of duty with the Philadelphia 76ers. Ivan Rodriguez also got his moniker for the same reason. Fracisco Cordova (Pittsburg Pirates) 8. His nickname suggests as much, as it is indicative of a man who . The obvious alliteration is a testament to his power-hitting prowess and home run tally as a player. Erving electrified crowds with his dunking and leaping abilities, and the nickname seemed divine and easily matched his personality and persona. Another aspect of the game that set it apart from traditional American football were the names on the back of the jerseys. The wily pitcher was a fan favorite despite his volatile personality, and his moniker is indicative of his aggressive pitching style. The two sport star wore #21 on both the football field and baseball diamond, and holds the honor of being the only athlete to hit a home run and score a touchdown in the same week. With arguably the most famous nickname in the history of media, Dwayne Johnson is built like a rock and wrestled like a rock. There are so many famous AKAs in the world of sports, and many deserve their place at the top of the heap. 1 - Oscar Robertson. In 87 career fights, Camacho has 79 wins (including 38 knockouts) and just five losses with three draws. Jim Umbricht (Houston Astros) 10. Troy Aikman and Johnston remain close friends, having won three Super Bowls together. (Featuring @ann76 as Author)", "Wereldtitel Van Dijk met Specialized-Lululemon", "March 31, 2007 Sarasota Herald Tribune article", United States Olympic Committee document confirming Harris's first name (page.44 *.pdf file. Indiana Pacers ( 70) Aaron McKie. Gabby Douglas, is an American gymnast who became the first African American in Olympic history to win the individual all-around event at the 2012 Summer Games. He still embraces the persona of the Rock to this day, and the nickname is too perfect. While sporting the #66, he helped the Penguins lift the Stanley Cup twice, won three Hart Trophies, and earned six Art Ross Trophies as the leagues leading scorer. Baseball stars have had success with the number as well with Don Mattingly, Ryne Sandberg, and Zach Greinke thriving with the number 23 in . Brown is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time, thanks to his brutal yet elegant rushing style. However, "His Airness" seems to be the most creative, citing his incredible leaping ability. He retired with the most wins of any quarterback in NFL history (which would later be broken by Favre, Brady, and Manning). 1 1. One theory says he received the nickname while participating in batting practice as a rookie with the Montreal Expos. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, with 76.27 percent of the vote, just over the necessary 75 percent to qualify. The high-flyer ranks 13th in career scoring in the NBA and is mentioned nearly every year during the dunk contest and has been a judge in the competition multiple times. Just as important as his stats to his legacy are the monikers we have come to know and fondly use to remember him. In many other sports, numbers of club legends are retired from use and placed in the rafters to be revered by generations of fans. BATS THAT THEY HAVE WIELDED E. MAYNE'S PRICELESS COLLECTION The Stradivarius to Kreisler . For most of his career, Jordan sported the #23, except for one season during which he donned #45 after his return from retirement. Ranker Sports. Nicklaus won 20 major titles before retiring to design golf courses. Michael Jordan's #23. Each sprin Namath's nickname "Broadway Joe" was given him bySherman Plunkett, a Jets teammate. His accomplishments on the baseball diamond are virtually unparalleled over the course of a century of baseball history. The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. However, he only made one broadway appearance, covered here by Wikipedia: "he made his only appearance on Broadway as a cast replacement in a revival ofThe Caine Mutiny Court Martial. "The Owl Without A Vowel" only played one season in the NBA with the Philadelphia Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors), but the nickname has stuck with him ever since college. Hunter is an eight-time All-Star and five-time World Series Champion. He has worn the iconic #7 for Manchester United as well as the Portuguese National Team and his current club Real Madrid. With more than 36 million social media followers on diverse platforms. His trash talking is the stuff of street legend and his longevity in the league cemented his status as an NBA great. Johnston was also the first fullback ever elected to the Pro Bowl, a position officially recognized by the NFL because of Johnston's efforts as a blocker and occasional runner. This nickname was bound to happen, seeing as how his last name is so closely spelled to "goose," and there were no other candidates that could top it. Jackie Robinson passed away on October 24, 1972, at age 53. Johnson once said toDave Jacobs, "That kid you got is sweet as sugar," and the nickname stuck. We even remember his name, as "Babe" Ruth, instead of George Ruth. Gordie Howe is considered one of the best hockey players in history but is also known for his friendly personality, kind demeanor, longevity as a player and prolific goal-scoring. Players could put whatever name they wanted back there, and Smart's "He Hate Me" was the best of them all. Gervin would go on to be a nine-time NBA All-Star and be elected to the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. Fans of this era only know his name as the legend, but quotes from players of his day tell the story of Wagner as a dirty player, often clueing infielders and holding baserunners by the jersey as they attempted to round a base. Fred Stabley Jr. of theLansing State Journal, gave him themoniker, despite protest from Johnson's mother, a devout Christian, who claimed it was sacrilegious. Beginning in March, Tyson will be featured in a six-part series on Animal Planet entitled, "Taking on Tyson." Poor preparation, missing an important detail, or completely offend a certain segment of the audience. John Cena is number 9 in our list of the top 10 most famous athletes in the world. 6 - Bill Russell, with special mention to Stan "the Man" Musial and Julius Erving, basketball's "Dr. J.". 6 also crosses over to baseball. Manager Alfred Lawson chose to put numbers on his teams jerseys in order for fans to easily identify each of the players. Jackson spent 12 years in the majors with thePhiladelphia Athletics(19081909),Cleveland Naps/Indians(19101915) andChicago White Sox(19151920). Hall of Famers by Jersey Number. However, steroids will likely only be a small blip on his write-up when his playing days are over, and it seems America will remember him for his philanthropy and for coming through in the clutch. Kuko is considered one of the best wingmen to ever play the game, and therefore might be the only man on the planet capable of gettingFranck Ribry a real date. 24: Alworth, . During and following his boxing career, Tyson is known for his unusual and often frightening quotes and taunts and also several run-ins with law enforcement. Right after the Bulls and Michael Jordan won the 1991 NBA title, Gatorade la Steelers commentator Myron Cope is responsible for Bettis' legacy as "The Bus," noting a Notre Dame teammates' adjective when calling Bettis "Bussy.". 1. The 6'9", 271lb lineman recorded 57 sacks in his career but played before the sack became an official stat in 1982. He is considered the . Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd There are many different stories explaining the origin of the "Say Hey" nickname, but the most common descriptions is as follows: When Mays was coming up in the minor leagues, he moved so frequently through the ranks he didn't know very many of his teammates names. LISTING OF PRIMARY NUMBERS IN CAPS; Secondary Numbers in lower case. Very few athletes have earned their nickname quite like Dominique Wilkins. 4 - Lou Gehrig by a sliver over Bobby Orr. Kansas City-Omaha Kings ( 75) Jerry McKee. April Holmes has one gold medal and two bronze . Angel Di Maria currently wears the #7 shirt after his blockbuster transfer deal this summer. Turns out the nickname is a motivational tool to remind Eldrick to fight for his dreams and accomplishments.". "The Glove" was born when Payton's cousin called him during the 1993Western ConferenceFinals series and told him"you're holdingKevin Johnsonlike abaseballin aglove.". In the realm of all-time nicknames, it is definitely sweet, but it hits the countdown towards the back, because there isn't much back story here, and he's not actually a hitman. Clemens' major league career has clearly been overshadowed by steroid use allegations in recent years, but the pitcher's dominance on the mound is worth noting. Howe is a PR dream, the face of the NHL and a legend in the realm of professional hockey. #23 is now retired by both the Chicago Bulls and North Carolina Tar Heels. Publish date: May 25, 2009. . Whether they describe physical appearance, a catch phrase, or an extreme and unique ability, these nicknames follow their host, even beyond the grave. Venus and Serena Williams. As captain of the Yankees, Jeter epitomized the clubs ideals and excelled on the field. This is one of the most fitting nicknames on the countdown. Jerry Rice is unquestionably the greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL. How do you rank the best nicknames of all time? If pressed to name a national sport, Malaysians would say "badminton.". Carry on with the slideshow, and impress your friends with your newfound street cred. During theWorld Seriesagainst theDodgers, Munson was interviewed and suggested that Jackson, because of his past postseason performances, might be the better interview subject. 5 Best players to wear No. All players are Canadian unless indicated otherwise. Most recently, Suarez brought the shirt some disgrace with his on-field antics, but he also helped Liverpool mount their best title challenge in over a decade. Jones is said to have 106 sacks unofficially and is one of the most notorious pass-rushers in the history of the game. Nicklaus earned the nickname at an early age because of his shock of blond hair and stout build. Mlkvy received his nickname while attending Temple University. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. He was a larger than life figure that was known for crushing home runs and winning seven World Series titles. Smith spent 11 years in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings (19871990),Atlanta Hawks(1990),Houston Rockets(19901996),Detroit Pistons(1996),Orlando Magic(19961997) andDenver Nuggets(1997). Andre Dawson's nickname, "The Hawk," was given to him by an uncle when Andre was very young. This nickname is clever, scores big points for rhyming with the name and personifies Holyfield to the fullest. Venus Williams has seven grand slam titles, of which 5 are at Wimbledon, making her one of the best in the game. William Perry was a fan favorite with the Chicago Bears from 1985-93, and the team used him on both sides of the ball. Aside from being a vegan, Salley is known for several other odd mannerisms and goofy antics. Quite possibly the athlete with the most nicknames in sports history, Shaquille O'Neal seems to be a fan favorite wherever he goes, and his outgoing personality has earned him numerous sponsorships and TV/Film appearances. His image has been slightly tarnished after he admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs after many published media reports. Ryan recorded 5,714 strikeouts, 324 wins and a TKO of Robin Ventura in his 27-year career. He currently weighs 220 pounds and it's no longer a good past-time to poke fun at his weight, just all the loose skin that now must hang from his neck, arms and thighs. 33 his college number in his lone year alongside . The Hall of Famer battled through segregation to become one of the greatest left-handed hitters in Major League Baseball history. In the News: Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Brady. According to an interview on theDan Patrickradio showon10/22/08, the number change had nothing to do with the filmMajor League. Really? "Babe" Ruth: "The Great Bambino/The Sultan of Swat". Payton's defense is the stuff of NBA legend. One of the greatest athletes the United Kingdom has ever produced, Mo is a world famous distance runner. He also played for the New York Yankees of the American Football League for just one season before they absolved into the NFL. The styleearned him the nickname "Crazy Legs.". Johnson was elected to theNBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996, is a five-time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, a three-time MVP and a 12-time All-Star. 23: Chamberlin, Guy Chamberlin. Birth Country: United States. Was the famous number 23 of the Chicago Bulls? While most think the successful Alabama Crimson Tide coach was named "Bear" for his personality, it was actually given to him as a child. A list of the greatest athletes to wear the number 22 would be incomplete without one of the NHL's most prolific scorers of the late 1970s/1980s. 25 References. The "Golden Bear" moniker given to the famous golfer was the result of Melbourne Age writer Don Lawrencereferring to the "large, strong, and blond" player as the Golden Bear, and the nickname seemed fitting. CR7, as he is known to many fans around the world, is possibly the greatest player among this current generation of footballers. Aaron's nickname epitomizes his performance at the plate. Chuck Klien (Philadelphia Phillies) 4. Still yet another story says he was named "Satchel" simply for the immense size of his feet, looking like two satchel bags on the end of his ankles. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has 16,726 career yards, along with 110 TDs on the ground. Elway retired following two consecutive Super Bowl wins and appeared in five Super Bowls. Our most famous number in sports is the former NBA player Michael Jordan's number 23. Gordon earned his nickname when he burst on to the scene in 1989 at the age of 21, when he went 17-9 in his first full season in the majors. LeBron James's net worth 2018 is around $485 million. DiMaggio was bound to earn a few nicknames in his playing days, and "Joltin' Joe" was just the beginning. Name: Jesse Owens. application of binomial distribution in civil engineering eames replica lounge chair review eames replica lounge chair review Clyde Drexler. Eighty-eight years ago this week, the New York Yankees became the first professional sports team to permanently wear numbers on their uniforms. Hardaway was a four-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA first team selection and NBA All-Rookie first team selection (1994). He won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets and was the NBA MVP in 1994, also with the Rockets. the sword to D'Artagnan . Steve Nash - Jackson is No. In 21 total fights, Jeffries had 18 victories and 14 knockouts, with just one loss and two draws. He hit 40 or more home runs in five consecutive seasons (195357) and averaged 42 home runs, 124RBI, 123 runs and a .320 batting average between 1953-1956. A 7'1" tree with more nicknames than points per game (4.0 career average), Joel Przybilla is a force to be reckoned with; if mostly in the Name Hall of Fame. The number is currently vacant at the club, just waiting for the next legend to don the famous #7. Jones owes his alias to his family, who constantly told him he was "A chip-off-the-old-block," in reference to his father. 7 - Mickey . Hirsch made his NFL debut for the Chicago Rockets before finishing his career with the Los Angeles Rams. Michael Jordan's best nickname. However, it was as a fullback that got him his alias, and it would stick with him long after his playing days were over. Often considered the greatest boxer, Ali made a name for himself with his quick footwork, skills, and trash-talking persona. Sorry Derek Jeter fans, but Big Red was the best thoroughbred race horse of all-time. The name stuck throughout Rich Gossage's playing days, and he is affectionately known by the moniker to this day. Also called "Golden Joe"and "Comeback Joe," Joe Montana earned his nickname for his ability to stay calm under pressure and come through in the clutch with key passes and throwing accuracy. The Yankees great still holds the record for consecutive games with at least one hit with a 56-hit streak in 1941. Stan "The Man" Musial wore the number during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. As of 1999 . Numbers are now considered a common feature for uniforms in every team sport. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. The nickname "Spider" is a reference to Salley's fear of arachnids, which, according to him, was conquered during his time on the 2009 reality television showI'm a CelebrityGet Me out of Here! The nickname got so huge that Simpson's offensive line became known as "The Electric Company," since "Juice" isalso a colloquial synonym for electricity or electrical power. "Charles is no stranger to the comical spotlight, so when this nickname surfaced, it obvious stuck. Orenthal James was shortened to O.J., which is an acronym shared by "Orange Juice," and there you have it. Toggle the table of contents . 26 Further reading. He plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and has been the team's captain since 2013.His record list includes the fastest century by an Indian . Jon Lieber (Chicago Cubs) 7. He collided with teammate Tim Raines, and other teammates shouted, "You're a big unit.". Seriously, the man eclipsed Rosie O'Donnell. Rodman was a king on the court when it came down to getting into his opponent's physche. WIZARDS OF CRICKET. The injury was a blessing in disguise, actually giving him an edge on the mound. The best player on the greatest dynasty in professional sports was Bill Russell. He did however appear in summerstock productions ofDamn YankeesandFiddler on the Roof.". It's one of the more unique and popular nicknames of the modern era.". He was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his nine NFL seasons, led the league in rushing eight times, and earned four MVP awards. The mobile thrower has nearly 30,000 passing and 4,000 rushing yards to his name. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1980s, before he was dealt in a blockbuster deal to the Los Angeles Kings. Also called "The Baddest on the Planet," Mike Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout12 of them occurring in the first round. Names that come to mind are Michael Jordan, Ryne Sandberg, Troy Vincent, David Beckham, Bob Gainey, and Ron Lancaster. 13, is right above him at the No. Joe was never a stranger to the media, providing plenty of quotes and controversy in his days, and "Broadway Joe" seems fitting despite the limited experience in actual theatre. Jim Browns career in the National Football League only lasted nine seasons, but his impact on the game has lasted through history. "The Great Bambino," "The Sultan of Swat," "The Colossus of Clout," and simply "The Babe," are all references to baseball's greatest legend. When Magic Johnson was drafted with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, he had to change his #33 from Michigan State, which belonged to the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Load," and "Round Mound of Touchdown," in reference to one of Charles Barkley's many monikers. His lawyer should have been named "The electric no possibility of victory but still attempting attorney.".