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Ask any major league player and they’ll tell you the nickname(s) they were affectionately given by others over the years. Some still carry a nickname attributed to them by sandlot players (like Eddie Murray’s nickname Steady Eddie), little league coaches or college fans; while others have assembled a laundry list of memorable nicknames that are often used interchangeable for fans, coaches, teammates and sports writers.
Some nicknames are a shortened or familiar version of the player’s name (such as Mark McGwire’s “Big Mac” moniker or Rafael “Raffy” Palmiero) or a reminder of their hometown (such as Mickey Mantle’s speedy nickname “The Commerce Comet”); but most paid homage to their distinctive style of play (“Iron Mike” Schmidt) or outstanding achievements in big games (like “Mr. October” Reggie Jackson).
It’s only fitting that one of the most colorful and enduring characters in baseball history, Babe Ruth, would have perhaps the greatest assemblage of nicknames ever amassed by a single player. Most were attributed by sports writers, who clamored to come up with the latest and greatest nickname for the man who will always be best described as simply “The Babe” (a nickname applied by teammates on The Baltimore Orioles, his first professional team). Ruth’s nicknames were many and varied, but most referred to his amazing ability to hit home runs, including: “The Sultan of Swat," "The Bambino," "The Colossus of Clout," "The Wali of Wallop," "The Wazir of Wham," "The Maharajah of Mash," "The Rajah of Rap," "The Caliph of Clout," and "The Behemoth of Blast."
While most of his contemporaries never came close to Ruth (in career home runs or number of nicknames), there have been some other very memorable “familiar names” attached to 500 Home Run Club® members. Hammerin’ Hank Aaron was said to pound the ball into the stands, almost at will. And, Ted Williams, one of a select few who could legitimately be described as the greatest hitter of all time, was known alternately as "The Splendid Splinter,” "The Thumper,” and “Teddy Ballgame.”
Ken Griffey, Jr. (606+) is known simply as “Junior," and his good friend and perennial MVP candidate Alex Rodriguez is know by the short, but snappy nickname "A-Rod."
Frank Thomas (known as “The Big Hurt" for the hurtin’ that he puts on the baseball…and opposing pitchers) has 526+ home runs and is back playing for his first team, The Oakland Athletics.
His replacement in Chicago “Big Jim” Thome (a.k.a.. “The Thomenator”) is enjoying a resurgent career with the White Sox and has 526+ homers.
Boston Red Sox hero Manny Ramirez (509) (a.k.a. Man Ram) is often described as “Manny Being Manny” in reference to his eccentric behavior, as well as his passion for the game of baseball and fans. Perhaps the best example of his wonderfully weird behavior came om May 14, 2008 when he made a great running catch, then climbed the wall to high-five a fan before making a great throw to his relay man, Dustin Pedroia, who threw to first for a double play. To view this classic "Manny Moment" click on http://soxanddawgs.com/?p=4240
Jimmie Foxx was known as “Double X” and “The Beast” for his fierce style of play. Harmon Killebrew was a hard-nosed player, but his nickname “Killer” came from a shortened version of his last name. As his career steered him toward a first ballot induction into the Hall-Of-Fame, Mickey Mantle was known as “The Mick” or “Muscles.”
Ernie Banks is the one and only “Mr. Cub.” So named for playing 17 seasons with his one and only major league team The Chicago Cubs, and for his sunny disposition and great love of the game. Willie McCovey was “Stretch” to his fans and friends, Frank Robison was “The Judge” for his ability to single handedly determine the outcome of a game. Mel Ott was known as “Master Melvin” for his masterful play at both the plate and in the field.
Willie Mays will always be known as “Say Hey” for his fun-loving and gregarious approach to the game, and dazzling fielding. Surprisingly, his god son Barry Bonds, who has evolved into the greatest hitter of his generation (and possibly of all time) is not known by any nicknames, except for perhaps the singular name “Bonds.”
“Steady Eddie” Murray was so named because he was one of the most reliable and productive hitters of his era; hitting equally well from both sides of the plate.
And “Slammin’ Sammy” Sosa certainly lived up to his name when he tallied 198 hits and 66 homers in 1998.
Honorary 500 HRC Members
Sadaharu Oh (The Japanese Babe Ruth)
Joshua Gibson (The Black Babe Ruth)
Martín "El Maestro" Dihigo
Hector Espino Gonzalez (The Babe Ruth of Mexico)
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