The 30 most iconic nicknames in baseball

For the final century, “The Babe” has been thought-about the perfect baseball participant who ever lived. He additionally might need essentially the most recognizable and longest sequence of nicknames, together with The Babe, Nice Bambino, Sultan of Swan, Colossus of Clout, and King of Crash, amongst others. His legend and lengthy listing of nicknames had been affectionately acknowledged within the traditional 1993 film The Sandlot.

The late Nineteen Eighties/early 1990’s Oakland Athletics had been one of the vital thrilling groups MLB has ever conceived, and the highly effective duo of Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco had been an enormous purpose. From 1987-1992, McGwire hit 217 residence runs, and Canseco had a equally spectacular 230 residence runs from 1986-1992. A few years later we got here to seek out out in Canseco’s tell-all ebook that these lengthy balls might need been chemically aided, however the Oakland duo often called the Bash Brothers nonetheless excited many followers of their heyday.

Frank Thomas had a Corridor of Fame profession as one of the vital completed hitters of his period. His nickname “The Large Damage” is a nod to his enormous mass and highly effective, although it would not do his pure hitting capacity justice. Thomas was additionally a profession .301 hitter along with his 521 residence runs.

For all of time, there may not be a extra liked participant in Boston than Large Papi, David Ortiz. The designated hitter was as clutch as they arrive, serving to finish the lengthy World Collection drought in Boston to win three World Collection, however his enthusiasm and enthusiasm on the sector would have made him a fan favourite even when he did not have a Corridor of Fame profession. 

Probably the most intimidating and proficient pitchers ever, The Large Unit was really distinctive. Standing rail skinny at 6-foot-10, Johnson threw upper-90s fastballs and depraved sliders earlier than high-90s velocity was a standard talent in MLB. An all-time nice, Johnson gained 5 Cy Younger Awards in his Corridor of Fame profession.

Fidrych was nicknamed “The Chicken” as a minor leaguer due to his resemblance to Large Chicken in Sesame Road, nevertheless it turned out to be an acceptable identify for a pitcher recognized for his antics no the mound. He performed solely 5 MLB seasons due in social gathering to harm, however made fairly a powerful in Detroit from 1976-1980, successful AL Rookie of the 12 months and ending second within the Cy Younger race in 1976.

Few MLB gamers have been synonymous with successful like Jeter, who gained 5 World Collection in his 20-year profession with the Yankees. The shortstop appeared born to play the place in New York, and was the captain of many profitable playoff groups in pinstripes.

Nicknamed “Catfish” by Athletics proprietor Charlie Finley, Hunter had a Corridor of Fame profession pitching for the A’s and Yankees from 1965-1979. His profession accolades embody 5 World Collection rings and eight All-Star appearances.

Rose left all of it on the sector, with numerous examples of his all-out hustle throughout a 24-year storied MLB profession. The all-time hits chief gained three World Collection and three Batting Titles, hitting .303 for his profession. Nonetheless, he is barred from the MLB Corridor of Fame after betting on baseball whereas enjoying for and managing the Reds. Rose handed in 2024.

McGriff had the proper nickname on the excellent time, paying homage to McGruff the Crime Canine of the Nineteen Eighties and Nineties. The primary baseman had fairly a Corridor of Fame profession, making 5 All-Star appearances in 19 seasons.

Mattingly had a pure stroke and was elite each as a hitter and defender for the Yankees in his 14-year profession. He was a six-time All-Star and gained 9 Gold Gloves, incomes the nickname “Donnie Baseball.” Following his enjoying profession, he is had stints because the supervisor of the Dodgers and Marlins.

Garces was recognized extra for his physique than expertise throughout an MLB profession that spanned 10 years. Listed at six toes, 250 kilos, Garces was a selected fan favourite throughout his seven seasons in Boston from 1996-2002.

Aaron was one of many biggest hitters to ever take the sector and lengthy held the profession residence run file. He nonetheless holds the profession file for RBI with 2,297 after an completed 23-year profession, incomes the nickname Hammerin’ Hank.

Hargrove earned his nickname as The Human Rain Delay for his routine throughout every at-bat, stepping out of the batter’s field to regulate his helmet, gloves, and uniform. The routine would not have survived in right this moment’s period of the pitch clock, however he performed on the proper time from 1974-1985. Following his enjoying profession, Hargrove spent 16 seasons as supervisor of Cleveland, Baltimore, and Seattle.

Probably the most hyped MLB prospects ever, Griffey not solely lived as much as the hype but in addition obtained the chance to play along with his father early in his profession with Seattle. The legendary middle fielder earned his Corridor of Fame induction with 13 All-Star appearances and 10 Gold Gloves, together with 630 profession residence runs.

The chubby Sandoval was a wonderful pure hitter early in his profession with San Francisco and nicknamed the Kung Fu Panda at the side of the discharge of the child’s movie. Whereas Sandoval’s prime was comparatively quick, he was a two-time All-Star and gained three rings with the Giants.

One of many nice characters within the historical past of pitching, Hrabosky espoused an intimidating demeanor staring down opposing batters as a aid pitcher for the Cardinals, Royals, and Braves. The Mad Hungarian had a wonderful 13-year profession, with a 3.10 ERA and league-leading 22 saves in 1975.

An apt nickname for the best base stealer of all of them, Henderson holds the file for many steals in a single season in the course of the fashionable period (130), in addition to the profession file of 1,406 stolen bases. The Corridor of Famer can be arguably the best leadoff hitter ever, with an unimaginable .401 on-base share over 25 seasons.

Jackson earned the nickname Mr. October for shining within the playoffs. He gained 5 World Collection in 21 seasons and made playoff appearances in 11 seasons. For his profession, Jackson hit .278-18-48 over 318 profession playoff plate appearances.

Boyd was a well-liked participant throughout eight seasons with the Purple Sox from 1982-1989, incomes the nickname Oil Can for his historical past of ingesting beer the place he grew up in Meridian, Mississippi. The best-hander performed 10 seasons, successful 78 video games with a 4.04 ERA.

Recognized for his mammoth energy, Alonso has been affectionately often called “Polar Bear” by Mets devoted in his profession. The identify took on nationwide prominence along with his success within the MLB Residence Run Derby.

Arguably the perfect pitcher of his period in a 24-year profession from 1984-2007, Clemens has an extended listing of honors that features seven Cy Younger Awards, one MVP, and two World Collection. “Rocket” gained 354 video games with a profession 3.12 ERA, enjoying for 4 completely different groups. Clemens was alleged to have used anabolic steroids within the Mitchell Report, in keeping with his former coach, which has probably stored him out of the Corridor of Fame thus far.

Maybe the perfect nearer in MLB historical past, Rivera made ending video games routine with a file 652 saves throughout his 19-year profession with the Yankees. The Sandman was much more dominant in the course of the playoffs, with an unimaginable 0.70 ERA and 42 saves over 96 profession appearances.

Paige earned the nickname “Satchel” as a toddler, and it caught throughout his unimaginable skilled profession within the Negro Leagues and MLB. The Corridor of Fame pitcher had a 2.73 profession ERA as a professional.

Few baseball gamers have proven extra expertise than Mays, who patrolled middle discipline for the Giants over 21 seasons. The Say Hey Child was an All-Star a whopping 24 instances, successful two MVPs and 12 Gold Gloves. He completed his profession as a .301 hitter with 660 residence runs.

“Shoeless Joe” is sadly recognized greatest for the Black Sox playing scandal by which Jackson and 7 White Sox teammates had been accused of accepting cash to throw the 1919 World Collection. Jackson was finally banned from baseball after his excellent 13-year profession as a .356 hitter, however his traditional nickname lives on.

Lee earned the nickname “Spaceman” early in his profession, an acceptable nickname for his off-color feedback and antics throughout his profession. The left-hander performed 14 seasons in MLB for Boston and Montreal.

Remembered by many as the perfect pure hitter in baseball historical past, the Splendid Splinter has an unimaginable resume over 19 seasons. He gained six Batting Titles, along with his first coming in 1941 when he hit .406. Williams completed his profession as a .344 hitter and nonetheless holds the profession on-base share file of .482.

Musial was the face of the profitable Cardinals franchise throughout 22 seasons, successful three World Collection and three MVPs. He was not solely often called top-of-the-line gamers of his period from 1941-1963, but in addition a superb Samaritan off the sector, making his nickname of Stan the Man much more relevant.

Berra earned the nickname “Yogi” early in his historic baseball profession, and it caught all through his life. He had a Corridor of Fame 19-year profession, largely with the Yankees, however is remembered as a lot for his intelligent feedback or “Yogi-isms.”. His most well-known sayings embody “It ain’t over ’til it is over,” “it is deja vu yet again,” and “ninety p.c of the sport is half psychological.”

Smith’s nickname was a reference to The Wizard of Oz, nevertheless it was becoming with the unimaginable performs he made on the sector throughout his Corridor of of Fame profession. The shortstop gained 13 Gold Gloves and had a number of clutch hits within the playoffs for the Cardinals.