Baseball Nicknames

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
May 19, 2009

Baseball Nicknames

Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown

Here are our favorite baseball nicknames. Send yours to siwriters@simail.com for a Fan Favorites gallery.<br><br>Brown's nickname is pretty self-explanatory -- Brown lost two parts of two fingers on his right hand during a farming accident. It didn't slow the famous Cubs pitcher down as he retired with a career record of 239-130 with an ERA of 2.06.

Walter "Big Train" Johnson

Johnson, who pitched in the early part of the century, earned his nickname because of his size and rocket arm. In 21 seasons, Johnson won 417 games for the Washington Senators.

"Shoeless" Joe Jackson

According to legend, Jackson received the nickname "Shoeless" after playing a minor league game in his stockings because a new pair of spikes had given him blisters the previous day. Unfortunately for Jackson, he is known as much for his part in the Black Sox scandal to fix the 1919 World Series as he is for his colorful nickname.

George Herman "Babe" Ruth

According to legend, Ruth -- who also went by The Bambino and The Sultan of Swat -- was given his name because he was a favorite of Orioles owner Jack Dunn. Many of the other players started calling him "Jack's newest babe," and the name stuck forever.

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra

One of the game's most colorful all-time characters, Berra was given his famous nickname from a childhood friend, who said whenever Berra sat around with arms and legs crossed waiting to bat, he resembled a Hindu holy man (Yogi) they had seen in a movie. He is also famous for his odd use of the English language and terms that have been named Yogiisms.

Jim "Catfish" Hunter

Hunter was nicknamed "Catfish" by Athletics owner Charles Finley, who felt the youngster needed a catchy nickname. The owner then created a story that Hunter had caught a large catfish when he was a boy. Though the story was fictional, the nickname stuck.

Ozzie "The Wizard" Smith

Also known as "The Wizard of Oz," Smith earned this name because of his dazzling play in the field. He was the best fielding shortstop of his era and possibly the greatest of all time.

Pete "Charlie Hustle" Rose

From his hard-nose play to his habit of running full-speed around the bases after a home run, few played the game with as much determination and heart as Rose. Unfortunately, the former Reds great is still fighting a lifetime ban from baseball for betting on games he was managing.

Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd

Known for his fiery temper on the mound, Boyd earned his nickname in his native Mississippi, where "oil" is slang for beer. The name stuck and Boyd went on to become one of Boston's most popular athletes in the 1980s.

Rich "Goose" Gossage

Gossage, one of the top closers in baseball history, was given his nickname by Chicago White Sox roommate Tom Bradley, who once said, "You look like a goose when you throw." The nickname stuck all the way to Cooperstown, where Goose was enshrined last year.

Lenny "Nails" Dykstra

The scrappy outfielder was given his moniker by Mets fans for his tough as nails personality and the reckless abandon for which he played the game.

Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas

At 6-foot-5, 257 pounds, it's no surprise to see Thomas' nicknamed involving the word "big." He was given the moniker by famous White Sox commentator Ken "Hawk" Harrelson during the 1992 season. Still unsigned, we have to wonder if we'll ever see "The Big Hurt" stroll to the plate again.

Randy "The Big Unit" Johnson

At 6-foot-10, it's no surprise Johnson has a nickname that references his height. The name was given to him by former Expo teammate Tim Raines, who was nearly knocked out by Johnson during a spring training practice in 1988.

Rich "El Guapo" Garces

Garces became a cult figure in Boston in the early part of this decade for his lights-out relief work and his nickname, which translated to English means "The Handsome One." The name was given to him by ex-teammate Mike Maddux due to Garces' resemblance to the villain, El Guapo, in the movie "The Three Amigos.

Sean "The Mayor" Casey

One of the most well-liked players in baseball, Casey earned his nickname because of his propensity to talk to each and every base runner who made it to first base, Casey's position on the field. Casey retired last season and is currently working as an analyst on the MLB Network.<br><br>Send your favorite baseball nicknames to siwriters@simail.com for inclusion in a Fans' Favorites gallery.