The 30 most iconic nicknames in baseball

For the final century, “The Babe” has been thought of one of the best baseball participant who ever lived. He additionally may 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 basic 1993 film The Sandlot.

The late Nineteen Eighties/early 1990’s Oakland Athletics had been probably the most 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 dwelling runs, and Canseco had a equally spectacular 230 dwelling runs from 1986-1992. A few years later we got here to search out out in Canseco’s tell-all e book that these lengthy balls may need been chemically aided, however the Oakland duo referred to as the Bash Brothers nonetheless excited many followers of their heyday.

Frank Thomas had a Corridor of Fame profession as probably the most achieved hitters of his period. His nickname “The Large Damage” is a nod to his big mass and highly effective, although it would not do his pure hitting potential justice. Thomas was additionally a profession .301 hitter along with his 521 dwelling runs.

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

One of the crucial intimidating and proficient pitchers ever, The Large Unit was actually 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 received 5 Cy Younger Awards in his Corridor of Fame profession.

Fidrych was nicknamed “The Fowl” as a minor leaguer due to his resemblance to Large Fowl in Sesame Avenue, but it surely turned out to be an applicable identify for a pitcher recognized for his antics no the mound. He performed solely 5 MLB seasons due in occasion to damage, however made fairly a formidable in Detroit from 1976-1980, successful AL Rookie of the Yr and ending second within the Cy Younger race in 1976.

Few MLB gamers have been synonymous with successful like Jeter, who received 5 World Sequence 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 Sequence rings and eight All-Star appearances.

Rose left all of it on the sphere, with numerous examples of his all-out hustle throughout a 24-year storied MLB profession. The all-time hits chief received three World Sequence 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 Nineteen 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 received 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 specific fan favourite throughout his seven seasons in Boston from 1996-2002.

Aaron was one of many biggest hitters to ever take the sphere and lengthy held the profession dwelling run document. He nonetheless holds the profession document for RBI with 2,297 after an achieved 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 at this time’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.

One of the crucial hyped MLB prospects ever, Griffey not solely lived as much as the hype but additionally received the chance to play along with his father early in his profession with Seattle. The legendary heart fielder earned his Corridor of Fame induction with 13 All-Star appearances and 10 Gold Gloves, together with 630 profession dwelling 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 brief, he was a two-time All-Star and received 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 reduction 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 document for many steals in a single season throughout the fashionable period (130), in addition to the profession document of 1,406 stolen bases. The Corridor of Famer can be arguably the best leadoff hitter ever, with an unbelievable .401 on-base proportion over 25 seasons.

Jackson earned the nickname Mr. October for shining within the playoffs. He received 5 World Sequence 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 consuming beer the place he grew up in Meridian, Mississippi. The suitable-hander performed 10 seasons, successful 78 video games with a 4.04 ERA.

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

Arguably one of the best 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 Sequence. “Rocket” received 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 accordance with his former coach, which has seemingly saved him out of the Corridor of Fame thus far.

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

Paige earned the nickname “Satchel” as a baby, and it caught throughout his unbelievable 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 heart subject for the Giants over 21 seasons. The Say Hey Child was an All-Star a whopping 24 occasions, successful two MVPs and 12 Gold Gloves. He completed his profession as a .301 hitter with 660 dwelling runs.

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

Lee earned the nickname “Spaceman” early in his profession, an applicable 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 one of the best pure hitter in baseball historical past, the Splendid Splinter has an unbelievable resume over 19 seasons. He received 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 proportion document of .482.

Musial was the face of the profitable Cardinals franchise throughout 22 seasons, successful three World Sequence and three MVPs. He was not solely referred to as the most effective gamers of his period from 1941-1963, but additionally a great Samaritan off the sphere, 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, principally 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 % of the sport is half psychological.”

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