William Wilson received the nickname "Mookie" as a child, when his mother noticed he was having trouble asking her for more "milk.". 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. Nothing more creative for a boxer than "Hitman?" It's one of the more unique and popular nicknames of the modern era.". Often considered the greatest boxer, Ali made a name for himself with his quick footwork, skills, and trash-talking persona. The nickname may not be specific to the Yankees shortstop, but he personifies the alliterative nickname with consistent big hits when needed most. A six-time NBA All-Star broke into the league in 1989 with the Seattle SuperSonics and got his nickname, according to Wikipedia.org: "after Sonics announcerKevin Calabrosaw a poster with the name and found it fitting to add to his radio broadcasts.". He has a career batting average of .356 and 1,772 hits. . With arguably the most famous nickname in the history of media, Dwayne Johnson is built like a rock and wrestled like a rock. We even remember his name, as "Babe" Ruth, instead of George Ruth. He was often compared to film character Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn (played byCharlie Sheen) in the1989David S. Wardfilm Major League. Famous Athletes - List & Biographies of World Famous Athletes Players could put whatever name they wanted back there, and Smart's "He Hate Me" was the best of them all. Usain Bolt (11%) and Pel (11%) then completed the Top 5. Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. He is also one of the most dominant. Rices legendary hands were developed throughout his childhood, when he worked as a brick mason. In true legendary boxer style, Ali gave himself the nickname "The Greatest," but also deserves it. Sometimes, the new moniker comes from an inside joke with . These players have left a lasting impression on their respective teams. He collided with teammate Tim Raines, and other teammates shouted, "You're a big unit.". The program will chronicle Tyson's love for pigeon racing. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Rickey Henderson. There have been many outstanding athletes to dawn the number 23. Birth City: Oakville. Of course, talking about wood is also a perfect fit for this career above-average hitter. Johnston got his moniker from a teammate on the Dallas Cowboys, Babe Laufenberg, a second-string quarterback. The Rams and Jets QB also did several endorsement commercials during his playing days, including this one for pantyhose, no joke. In 2005, Traylor failed a physical exam (surprise) and has played overseas ever since. 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. The multi-sport star was perhaps one of the biggest self-promoters the sports world has ever seen but also a very talented individual. He began to garner the nickname "Iron" for his toughness and seemingly total resistance to go down. Indiana Pacers ( 19) New York Knicks ( 19) Milwaukee Bucks ( 22, 23) Don May. 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. His #99 is retired throughout the NHL, never to be worn by another player again. Best Known For: American track and . While most remember him for his playing days in baseball, Williams is also a true American hero, leaving the game twice to enlist in the United States Armed Forces as a Marine Corps pilot. Although Mike Bossy only played 752 games, he . Author: SI Staff. Jeter was named to fourteen All-Star teams and won the World Series five times during his career with the Bronx Bombers. Can you imagine trying to pass through airport security with his full name on a passport? Hernndez is also known for the enormous leg kick featured in his delivery. The name stuck throughout Rich Gossage's playing days, and he is affectionately known by the moniker to this day. Dan Marino, practically reversed the belief that 13 is an unlucky number. He amazed hockey fans from the moment he stepped onto the ice with the Edmonton Oilers in 1978. HIGHLAND PARK, IL - OCTOBER 21: A gate with the number 23 controls access to the home of basketball legend Michael Jordan on October 21, 2013 in Highland Park, Illinois. Publish date: May 25, 2009. . As a pass-rusher, Perry dominated offensive backfields and was constantly in the head of opposing quarterbacks. the sword to D'Artagnan . He won both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in the 2012 London Olympics. The legend became the Baseball Hall of Famer in 1962. His trash talking is the stuff of street legend and his longevity in the league cemented his status as an NBA great. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has 16,726 career yards, along with 110 TDs on the ground. McGriff's alias is just one of the many nickname brainchild ideas of ESPN analyst Chris Berman, who noticed the slugger's name resembled that of the National Crime Prevention Council mascot "McGruff.". The injury was a blessing in disguise, actually giving him an edge on the mound. Any way you slice it, the man could hit, and the "Splendid Splinter" seems to be the most creative nickname ever concocted for the lefty. 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. 23 Greatest Athletes to Wear No. 23 Quiz Stats - By schredder - Sporcle While attending the University of Michigan, Traylor earned his nickname for his tremendous size, dominance in the paint, and the way "Tractor" just seemed to flow with his last name. Fred Stabley Jr. of theLansing State Journal, gave him themoniker, despite protest from Johnson's mother, a devout Christian, who claimed it was sacrilegious. Mookie Blaylock could have been the name of a famous band. In the power categories, it's . He won two NBA titles with the Houston Rockets and was the NBA MVP in 1994, also with the Rockets. Musial is, to this day, regarded to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. All players are Canadian unless indicated otherwise. 13 Most Popular Number In Sports [2023 Update] - Players Bio Lists of nicknames - nickname list articles on Wikipedia He has worn the iconic #7 for Manchester United as well as the Portuguese National Team and his current club Real Madrid. Gender: Male. Name: Jesse Owens. Hunter is an eight-time All-Star and five-time World Series Champion. 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. Cocaine usage peaked in the United States 1982 with 10.4 million users. 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. As captain of the Yankees, Jeter epitomized the clubs ideals and excelled on the field. 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. After becoming a standout at Arizona State University, Jake Plummer was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and would go on to play for the Denver Broncos. Floyd's nickname is used to describe the consistent look on his face, and how his complexion reminds on-lookers of someone who looks tired or "sleepy.". ESPN World Fame 100 - Top Ranking Athletes Here's a little lesson for all you readers out there, confused as to how he loses one finger and only has three remaining. the bat to Trumper. Clayton Kershaw. However, many athletes remain inseparable from their on-field persona and the uniform that they wear. The 6'9", 271lb lineman recorded 57 sacks in his career but played before the sack became an official stat in 1982. He is best known for his unusual running style, which some say he developed running cross legged over four square cement sidewalk blocks in his home town. His legacy will live on in college basketball and the hearts of his students forever. DiMaggio was bound to earn a few nicknames in his playing days, and "Joltin' Joe" was just the beginning. The #7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by several of the greatest players of all time. Top 100 Athletic Girl Names For Your Future Champion | Kidadl Indiana Pacers ( 70) Aaron McKie. He spent 12 years in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. The Neon legend was born in Tallahassee, where Sanders was a two-time consensus All-America, and a Jim Thorpe . Before these famous images went viral, Oscar De La Hoya was boxing's "Golden Boy," a heavy-hitter with a squeaky-clean image. Larry was 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year and a two-time NBA All-Star selection. Jordans incredible career has inspired hundreds of athletes to wear #23, including LeBron James. 99 (he originally wore the No. Clyde Drexler. "The Great One" is the simplest way to describe his talents, although a more creative moniker would gain more points. In modern sports, athletes are valuable assets that are the centerpiece of advertising campaigns and the faces of their organizations. No. 6 during his days with the Boston Celtics. The switch worked because Magic and the Showtime Lakers won the NBA Title in 1980 and would go on to win four more before the end of Magics career. After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. 5 - Joe DiMaggio. Robinson's nickname is derived from his service in the United States Navy. He played in the NFL as well as the NBL . No joke here, just a great player and an exceptional man. . Professional sports seems to be the perfect breeding ground for bizarre and hilarious nicknames for athletes. 2 Deion Sanders, CB, Florida State (1985-88) Focus on Sport/Getty Images. Jeter was the cornerstone of the Yankees during their tremendous success in the 1990s and 2000s. However, Newton underwent verticalgastrectomy,in February 2010,a surgical operation that removes up to 75 percent of a patient's stomach and staples the remainder. Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the best hockey player ever to play the game, in the same conversations with Gordie Howe and Brett Hull. Aside from the final stop of his football career in Baltimore, he wore #21 for his other four teams. 6 also crosses over to baseball. 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. Following legal troubles, Camacho retired from professional boxing and has since proclaimed himself to be a "born again Christian.". Hopkins is known for 51 wins in 59 fights, which include 32 knockouts and one no contest. His stellar play as a defensive lineman, along with his faith, helped him earn his nickname as "The Minister of Defense.". Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd 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. Sometimes just called Michael "Air" Jordan, the greatest basketball player to ever live has been called many other things as well. Quiz Source He is the most dominating boxer in the history of the sport and is synonymous with boxing legend. Angel Di Maria currently wears the #7 shirt after his blockbuster transfer deal this summer. Top 15 Most Iconic Numbers in Sports - TheSportster Surprisingly, no one calls him "Kazaam," but that could be because they are afraid of being sit on by a 7'1", 325 lb man. Robinsons #42 will never be worn by another Major League baseball player. Over 75 years after Ruth's professional baseball career ended, he is still regarded as the best baseball player to ever live. He used the technique of crouching with his left arm out to fight opponents, and experienced many successes. The 25 Athletes with the Most Nicknames | News, Scores, Highlights Robinson broke Major Leagues Baseball color barrier, becoming the first black man to play in the league since the 1880s. The Best Athletes Who Wore #23 - Ranker But when the band was told they couldn't use his name as their band moniker, they adopted his other nickname and became known as "Pearl Jam," a name that also has rumors to its origins. He is famous for his blocked shots and on-the-court bouts with Shaquille O'Neal while O'Neal was a member for the Orlando Magic. Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all-time, with six NBA titles, five MVP awards, and fourteen All-Star Game appearances. He followed that up by winning the same titles in the European Athletics Championships in 2014. NBA Countdown: Who wore No. 33 best? - Yahoo! However, soon after signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007, Plummer announced his retirement, citing his desire to live a more peaceful life. 19 Most Famous Athletes in the World - Next Luxury "The Glove" was born when Payton's cousin called him during the 1993Western ConferenceFinals series and told him"you're holdingKevin Johnsonlike abaseballin aglove.". Glen Davis was a big kid. He retired as the all-time leader in goals scored with 894 and holds the all-time lead in assists with 1,963. 22: Joey Bats (Jose Bautista) Bautista once did a very funny sketch that was a version of the baseball bat scene in "The Untouchables." The 6 Best NBA Players to Wear the Number 23 - Sports Templates Famous # 32's | More Sports - TigerDroppings Michael Jordan's #23. [Results] Who is the most famous athlete of all time? Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban recognized these qualities and made Johnson head coach of the team in 2004, before Avery moved on to the New Jersey Nets in 2010. When he was not allowed to play with his friends on the peewee team due to his size, he was told he must play with older kids. The obvious nickname is the third generation of his birth name. 25 References. "Babe" Ruth: "The Great Bambino/The Sultan of Swat". Grange got his nickname from Chicago American writer Warren Brown, who dubbed the pasty white-skinned red head "The Galloping Ghost," citing his running style at the University of Illinois. The Greatest Athletes by Number (00-10) - Sports Illustrated Drexler has had his nickname since his days at the University of Houston, named for his speed and athleticism on the court and his pleasant and easygoing nature in his private life. Rose took the nickname seriously and spent his career as a hard-nosed ball player, known for legging out extra-base hits and splendid play in the field. 25 Best Baseball Nicknames in History - MLB.com Fracisco Cordova (Pittsburg Pirates) 8. Hayes earned many nicknames during his playing days, such as "The Judge" and his self-proclaimed "Jedi" alias for his pre-Super Bowl XVIII quotes stating he was "The only true Jedi in the NFL" (Star Wars was immensely popular in the late '70s and early '80s). Gabby Douglas (Gymnastics)- Flying Squirrel. No list of the best athletes is complete without "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali. Shaun's nickname is born out of obvious connections. 2 - Secretariat. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all sported the #7 during their successful exploits with the club. Paralympic athletes are a source of hope and optimism for many people. 4 - Lou Gehrig by a sliver over Bobby Orr. ESPN announce top 20 most famous male athletes of 2019 His other famous nickname, "The Yankee Clipper," also deserves a mention on the countdown. Famous for wearing the number 23 jersey throughout the entirety of his career, Murphy achieved much while playing, including . His #13 is retired by both the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Miami Dolphins, and he is the greatest quarterback to ever wear the number. Parish got his nickname from afictitious Chief Bromden, a silent, giantNative Americancharacter in the filmOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Cristiano Ronaldos image is inseparable from his favored #7. In this sport, Lee Chong Wei sits on the throne. Steelers commentator Myron Cope is responsible for Bettis' legacy as "The Bus," noting a Notre Dame teammates' adjective when calling Bettis "Bussy.".
Is Jennifer Jones Bbc Wales Married, Miller Place School District Teacher Contract, Air Force Football Jv Roster, Articles F