A sporty name from a Paralympic athlete can remind children to never give up. 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.". Players carefully cultivate their public images in order to maximize their value on and off the field of play. Michael Jordan's #23 is the most iconic number in the history of sports. 2 2. Along with Aaron's power, his longevity also is worth noting. Jim Browns career in the National Football League only lasted nine seasons, but his impact on the game has lasted through history. Carlton Fisk earned his nickname with the Boston Red Sox for his physical stature, standing 6'2" tall and weighing 220 pounds. In less than a decade, both MLB catchers will be Hall of Fame members. Steve Nash - Jackson is No. Angel Di Maria currently wears the #7 shirt after his blockbuster transfer deal this summer. Dan Marino, practically reversed the belief that 13 is an unlucky number. Numbers are now considered a common feature for uniforms in every team sport. Beginning in March, Tyson will be featured in a six-part series on Animal Planet entitled, "Taking on Tyson." The name stuck throughout Rich Gossage's playing days, and he is affectionately known by the moniker to this day. In the power categories, it's . Leonard Buck (Baseball) 5. Full list of Olympic athletes, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps. "Go ask Mister October", he said, giving Jackson a nickname that would stick. 105 people from all around the world were asked to name who they thought would be the 'most famous athlete of all time'. Wayne Gretzky might be the sport's greatest player, but Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, in many respects, was its most popular. One theory says he received the nickname while participating in batting practice as a rookie with the Montreal Expos. When he was younger, Bryant agreed to wrestle a captive bear, and the nickname was given to him by his siblings (Paul was the 11th of 12 children). Aside from the final stop of his football career in Baltimore, he wore #21 for his other four teams. 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. Birth Country: United States. It has been said that he could run 100 yards in 10 seconds and high jump over six feet. 50 - Jamie Moyer One of the most flammable pitchers in the league in his 20s, Moyer looked like he might wash out of baseball after spending the . 6. Seriously? Boyd played parts of nine seasons in the majors, and compiled a career 78-77 record, with 799 strikeouts. The tall glass of water is a solid shooter, and therefore, the gun jokes just flow. 4: Brett Favre, QB Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers , New York Jets , Minnesota Vikings His trash talking is the stuff of street legend and his longevity in the league cemented his status as an NBA great. 79, which is kind of interesting, but a few football players have. He currently weighs 220 pounds and it's no longer a good past-time to poke fun at his weight, just all the loose skin that now must hang from his neck, arms and thighs. The wily pitcher was a fan favorite despite his volatile personality, and his moniker is indicative of his aggressive pitching style. Larry was 1992 NBA Rookie of the Year and a two-time NBA All-Star selection. Gender: Male. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. Sorry Derek Jeter fans, but Big Red was the best thoroughbred race horse of all-time. He is alsoknown for his 10-year reign asmiddleweightworld champion and setting a record for defending it 20 consecutive times. The term has become synonymous with small stature, which Reese also had. Jeffries boxed in a time where blacks were heavily persecuted, and "The Great White Hope" was a moniker for his desire to destroy all blacks with his boxing abilities. The #7 has been passed down from Kevin Keegan to Kenny Daglish to Luis Suarez, and many others have held the honor of wearing the most iconic number for one of Englands most decorated football clubs. 23, even if it was for a short period during his career. Smith spent 11 years in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings (19871990),Atlanta Hawks(1990),Houston Rockets(19901996),Detroit Pistons(1996),Orlando Magic(19961997) andDenver Nuggets(1997). He was a two-time NBA Champion(1994,1995) and member of the1988NBA All-Rookie Team. New York Mets fans began referring to Dykstra for his "tough-as-nails" approach to the game, and it was later shortened to just "Nails.". Either way, the nickname is very fitting of one of the most dominant strike-out pitchers the game has ever seen. Rod "He Hate Me" Smart was the shining star of the Vince McMahon's XFL, which lasted all of one season. Also nicknamed "The Silver Fox"and just known by the shorter "Duke" Snider, the former Brooklyn Dodgers slugger was often compared to other New York outfielders such as Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle and earned the nickname "The Duke of Flatbush" after an area in New York City called "Flatbush" and his accolades as a hitter. 88. Jackson hit home runs in Game 4 and Game 5 of the Series. It has been said that Floyd actually fell asleep several times during games in his career, and his hooded eyelids certainly didn't help refute the claims. Wilkins played 11 seasons of NBA basketball with the Atlanta Hawks and was a nine-time NBA All-Star. The defensive back has become known for two things: His "bump-and-run" coverage on receivers that earned him the nickname "Molester" for the brutal way he treated receivers coming off the line of scrimmage and for using Stick 'Em on his hands before the league banned the substance and named the rule after Hayes. Parish got his nickname from afictitious Chief Bromden, a silent, giantNative Americancharacter in the filmOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Names that come to mind are Michael Jordan, Ryne Sandberg, Troy Vincent, David Beckham, Bob Gainey, and Ron Lancaster. Steve Carlton (Philadelphia Phillies) 3. Publish date: May 25, 2009. . "Apparently, White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson tagged Thomas with the nickname "Big Hurt" because that's exactly what he does to opposing pitchers. A list of the greatest athletes to wear the number 22 would be incomplete without one of the NHL's most prolific scorers of the late 1970s/1980s. Carry on with the slideshow, and impress your friends with your newfound street cred. Hunter is an eight-time All-Star and five-time World Series Champion. Rodman embraced the nickname and fed off the hype. Di Maria will be the next to carry on the tradition associated with the #7 at Man U. Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player of all time, can easily be identified by his #99. Mlkvy received his nickname while attending Temple University. Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" while playing Everett High School high as a 15-year-old sophomore. 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). "The Snake" was a nickname given to him after the likeness of professional wrestler, Jake "The Snake" Roberts. He used the technique of crouching with his left arm out to fight opponents, and experienced many successes. The Yankees great still holds the record for consecutive games with at least one hit with a 56-hit streak in 1941. Brown has inspired generations of running backs to wear #32 in his honor including Marcus Allen and OJ Simpson. Hall of Famers by Jersey Number. According to Parish, former Celtics forwardCedric Maxwellgave Parish this nickname because of hisstoicnature. Folklore legend has it Hardaway's nickname came as a result of his grandmother's southern accent when calling him "Pretty," thus coming out as "Penny.". Whatever you want to call him, McGriff had a solid career in MLB, playing for seven teams and recording three Silver Sluggers, five All-Star appearances and a 1995 World Series Championship with the Atlanta Braves. Paige is considered one of the best pitchers to play baseball, and it is a crying shame he didn't get a chance to enter the Major Leagues sooner than he did. famous athletes number 23 nicknamemeat carving knife blank. John G. Zimmerman/SI. Nicklaus won 20 major titles before retiring to design golf courses. 25 References. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. In 87 career fights, Camacho has 79 wins (including 38 knockouts) and just five losses with three draws. Shaun's nickname is born out of obvious connections. William Perry was a fan favorite with the Chicago Bears from 1985-93, and the team used him on both sides of the ball. This nickname isn't creative at all, but is so synonymous with the Yankees third baseman it deserves a mention on the countdown. At the height of his career, Jordan could take off from the free-throw line and dunk the basketball. There have been many outstanding athletes to dawn the number 23. He is the only player in the history of the league to receive this honor. 32 and 34 for the first 17 of his 19 NBA seasons, before adopting No. Payton is also likely the best player to ever play at Oregon State University, with A.C. Green, Brent Barry and Corey Benjamin in the discussion. Venus Williams has seven grand slam titles, of which 5 are at Wimbledon, making her one of the best in the game. Boston's prodigal son, Ortiz has become an icon in Bean Town for his clutch hitting and lovable personality. (Trivia time: Which Buls player wore No. "AK-47" is simply Kirilenko's initials plus the number on his Utah Jazz jersey. LISTING OF PRIMARY NUMBERS IN CAPS; Secondary Numbers in lower case. His nickname is more a basic description of the entity he embodies than a catchy alter-ego. The obvious alliteration is a testament to his power-hitting prowess and home run tally as a player. He has worn the iconic #7 for Manchester United as well as the Portuguese National Team and his current club Real Madrid. The nickname would stick and become part of his identity throughout his playing years, summarizing Dawson's aggressive approach to the game and his Hall of Fame work ethic. His image has been slightly tarnished after he admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs after many published media reports. It has been a popular jersey number for decades with success of athletes across the board. "The Glide" is a member of the Hall of Fame and captured the 1995 NBA championship with the Houston Rockets. While playing on youth baseball teams, Andre would attack the ball like a hawk, while teammates would shy away. If the Cuban pitcher ever wanted to sue the founder of Pilates, he may have a solid case. Forever remembered for his involvement in the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal, "Shoeless" Joe Jackson was known for his lightning-quick feet and agility, earning the moniker that would become inseparable from his legacy. When the Bears needed a short yardage gain, there was "The Fridge," banging through the line and stumbling into the end zone. Dykstra was a three-time All-Star, World Series champion and Silver Slugger Award winner while playing for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Sanders played professional baseball with theNew York Yankees(19891990),Atlanta Braves(19911994),Cincinnati Reds(19941995, 1997, 2001) andSan Francisco Giants(1995). Jackson spent 12 years in the majors with thePhiladelphia Athletics(19081909),Cleveland Naps/Indians(19101915) andChicago White Sox(19151920). Johnson played for the Charlotte Hornets at the height of their popularity in the mid-'90s, and earned the nickname "Grandmama" after shooting a commercial for Converse. This obvious alias comes from the "Wizard of Oz," and is in combination with Smith's shortened first name, "Oz.". He became known as "The Ryan Express" when he came into games because of his fastball that easily topped 100 mph on a routine basis. In 1993, he signed the most lucrative contract in NBA history (at that time) to play for the Hornets, a 12-year, $84 million deal. Birth State: Alabama. However, he only made one broadway appearance, covered here by Wikipedia: "he made his only appearance on Broadway as a cast replacement in a revival ofThe Caine Mutiny Court Martial. Plummer is currently a racquetball champion in his native Idaho and was recently interviewed and quoted as saying he loves his life in his small town. The lefty was also a six-time Stanley Cup Champion and winner of multiple awards. He earned the moniker "The Little General" for his leadership abilities on the court and also his fiery, competitive nature as a player. Not only is Wei a three-time Olympic silver medalist, he is also the first badminton player to have kept the #1 world ranking for three years. No. When he recorded atriple-doubleof 36points, 18reboundsand 16assists. Indiana Pacers ( 19) New York Knicks ( 19) Milwaukee Bucks ( 22, 23) Don May. He added an "H" to his name later in his career in homage to his Muslim faith. Lemieux also overcame Hodgkins Lymphoma, which caused him to miss the entire 1994-95 season. 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. Over the course of his prolific career, he wore the #80 for three different teams, but is best remembered for wearing it in the red and gold of the San Francisco 49ers. 4 - Lou Gehrig by a sliver over Bobby Orr. 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. Lemieux was rewarded for his efforts with a third Stanley Cup, which he won as the owner in 2009. Over 75 years after Ruth's professional baseball career ended, he is still regarded as the best baseball player to ever live. Truly the champion of the nickname, Ruth is also the symbol of achievement in our nation's greatest past-time. Stan "The Man" Musial wore the number during his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a two-time MVP, an . Before these famous images went viral, Oscar De La Hoya was boxing's "Golden Boy," a heavy-hitter with a squeaky-clean image. McCovey got his nickname from his slender-but-tall build. Was the famous number 23 of the Chicago Bulls? All players are Canadian unless indicated otherwise. Erving electrified crowds with his dunking and leaping abilities, and the nickname seemed divine and easily matched his personality and persona. Coolest Nicknames From Non-Traditional Sports. Magics versatility allowed him to play all five positions on the court, and he earned three MVP Awards in both the regular season and NBA Finals. Fisk held the MLB record for games played at the catcher position (2,226) until Rodriguez broke it in 2009 with the Texas Rangers. Manager Alfred Lawson chose to put numbers on his teams jerseys in order for fans to easily identify each of the players. There are a couple of stories regarding the origin of Randy Johnson's nickname. Also known as simply "A.I.," Iverson became known as "The Answer" in his first tour of duty with the Philadelphia 76ers. 24 See also. Davis would often cry to his coach, begging the man to let him play with his friends and the coach would say, "stop crying, you big baby!" Iconic NBA players with number 23 jerseys include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career highlights are among the greatest moments in basketball history. He holds the world record for 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 100 metres relay and is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016). Either way, the nickname stuck, as did the movie. Hernndez is also known for the enormous leg kick featured in his delivery. His accomplishments on the baseball diamond are virtually unparalleled over the course of a century of baseball history. Lists of nicknames - nickname list articles on Wikipedia 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. With arguably the most famous nickname in the history of media, Dwayne Johnson is built like a rock and wrestled like a rock. His tall and skinny build makes him look like a satchel tree. It's actually a powerful testament to Jordan's greatness that simply shortening his first name . 23 in NBA history. Cosentino, Frank. Tiger Woods is a professional golfer and tied for first in PGA Tour wins, ranks second in men's major championships, and holds multiple golf records. Rices legendary hands were developed throughout his childhood, when he worked as a brick mason. Rodman was a king on the court when it came down to getting into his opponent's physche. When Stewart entered the NFL, he was moved from quarterback to receiver, but was often placed under center for certain plays by head coach Bill Cowher. Wilkins earned his alias with gravity-defying dunks and prolific scoring. The multi-sport star was perhaps one of the biggest self-promoters the sports world has ever seen but also a very talented individual. Although he personally disliked the nickname, Wooden became known as the "Wizard of Westwood" during his days as UCLA basketball head coach, where he was noted for turning troubled athletes into upstanding stars. In the News: Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Brady. . His other famous nickname, "The Yankee Clipper," also deserves a mention on the countdown. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. As far as nicknames go, this one isn't much fun, but at least it's better than "Baby Shaq.". The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. Jim Umbricht (Houston Astros) 10. He retired with the most wins of any quarterback in NFL history (which would later be broken by Favre, Brady, and Manning). 2 - Secretariat. This May, he earned his second UEFA Champions League title and scored in the Final against Atletico Madrid. 2 Deion Sanders, CB, Florida State (1985-88) Focus on Sport/Getty Images. Fracisco Cordova (Pittsburg Pirates) 8. Johnston was also the first fullback ever elected to the Pro Bowl, a position officially recognized by the NFL because of Johnston's efforts as a blocker and occasional runner. Musial is, to this day, regarded to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. Coincidentally, Roberts adapted his nickname from former Oakland Raiders QB Ken Stabler, who was nicknamed "The Snake" for his ability to slither through opponents when scrambling. Brown is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time, thanks to his brutal yet elegant rushing style. What famous athletes wore number 22? Andre Dawson's nickname, "The Hawk," was given to him by an uncle when Andre was very young. Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Brazilian Portuguese: [ds(w) atiz du nasimtu]; 23 October 1940 - 29 December 2022), better known by his nickname Pel (Portuguese pronunciation: ), was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward.Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th . He scores goals at an unbelievable pace and in a variety of ways, which makes him an absolute nightmare for opposing defenders. William Wilson received the nickname "Mookie" as a child, when his mother noticed he was having trouble asking her for more "milk.". mark reinstein/Shutterstock. Grange was drafted by, and finished his career with, the Chicago Bears. Wagner was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 1936, gaining 95.13 percent of the vote. During theWorld Seriesagainst theDodgers, Munson was interviewed and suggested that Jackson, because of his past postseason performances, might be the better interview subject. Ranker Sports. His nickname, Louisiana Lightning, is an all-timer. "The Human Highlight Film" has got to be one of the coolest nicknames in sport and it was perfect for Dominique Wilkins. Due to his legal troubles, Jones has requested he now be known simply as "Adam Jones" in an effort to separate his new under-the-radar personality from his past troubles with the law. Montana became a football great with the San Francisco 49ers, finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs and compiled a career rap sheet that looks like this: The Hall of Famer lost his index finger in a gruesome farming accident, in which he was putting material into a feed chopper, slipped and got his hand mangled. Vande Velde's View: My ability to discern "Pioneers of American Motorcycle Racing, Chapter 5", "NSMB.e.MAGAZINE Freeride, Extreme and North Shore style Mountain Biking", "The King of BMX. 28) on his jersey, the same number that Vaughn wore in the film. Comment below!JOIN THE TOTALPROSPORTS TEAM and SUBSCRIBE! Another aspect of the game that set it apart from traditional American football were the names on the back of the jerseys. CR7, as he is known to many fans around the world, is possibly the greatest player among this current generation of footballers. 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.". "Hammerin' Hank" played 23 seasons and recorded 755 career home runs and 3,771 hits. Rick Helling (Texas Rangers) 9. 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. Deion Sanders dazzled the nation as he high stepped into the end zone after interceptions and punt returns, frustrating football purists and giving birth to the moniker Prime Time. His #32 has been retired by the Cleveland Browns. 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. 23 before Michael Jordan? LINK Famous athletes who wore the number 32: 1. Hall of Fame linebacker got the nickname Mad Stork for his gangly frame (6-7, 220-pounds). His nickname suggests as much, as it is indicative of a man who . Nicklaus earned the nickname at an early age because of his shock of blond hair and stout build. The Neon legend was born in Tallahassee, where Sanders was a two-time consensus All-America, and a Jim Thorpe . Jackson was also a prolific hitter, and many historians feel he could have broken several records had he not been banned from baseball after the 1920 season. "Joltin' " refers to his speed and ability to get a jump on the ball off the bat in the outfield and his smart baserunning abilities. Chuck Klien (Philadelphia Phillies) 4. "The Owl Without A Vowel" only played one season in the NBA with the Philadelphia Warriors (now the Golden State Warriors), but the nickname has stuck with him ever since college. No. During and following his boxing career, Tyson is known for his unusual and often frightening quotes and taunts and also several run-ins with law enforcement. (A special thanks to The Sandlot for assisting with this slide), 8Pro Bowlselection (1981,1983,1984,1985,1987,1989,1990,1993), 3 First TeamAll-Proselection (1987,1989,1990), 3 Second Team All-Pro selection (1981,1983,1984), 4Super Bowlchampion (XVI,XIX,XXIII,XXIV). Lee Chong Wei. In many other sports, numbers of club legends are retired from use and placed in the rafters to be revered by generations of fans. Gervin would go on to be a nine-time NBA All-Star and be elected to the Pro Basketball Hall of Fame. 10 Tiger Woods Image Credit- PGA Tour. From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames. However, "His Airness" seems to be the most creative, citing his incredible leaping ability. Often considered the greatest boxer, Ali made a name for himself with his quick footwork, skills, and trash-talking persona. Just the mere mention of "The Great One" in reference to hockey brings memories of nearly 900 goals and a memorable trade that landed the hockey star in Los Angeles. 2 pick in the draft", "Philadelphia Eagles Media Guide bio 2013", "Pitt's 'Shady' McCoy shines in South Bend spotlight", "Get to Know Gary Player, Golf's Legendary Black Knight", "Big Phil feeling huge pressure at Hazeltine", "Our Exclusive Ranking: 75 Best Rivalries in Golf (#11-20)", "Gulf Times Qatar's top-selling English daily newspaper Sport", "Final Round: Rookie Reavie closes like seasoned veteran", "How Golfer Retief Goosen Played His Way Into the Hall of Fame", "Beethoven breezes for Holy Bull | Kentucky Derby 135", "Lester Piggott to open New Wiltshire Stand at Salisbury", http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/sports/hockey/the-legendary-9-maurice-rocket-richard/a-heros-funeral.html, "Mogilny, Reichel, Roberts combo on fire", "Ovechkin, Caps look to build off Game 5 momentum against Flyers", "Kovalchuk, Avery Fuel Rivalry; Did Kovy Go Too Far? He is the most dominating boxer in the history of the sport and is synonymous with boxing legend. 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. He built a contraption out of poles that allowed him to carry more bags than his co-workers. Right after the Bulls and Michael Jordan won the 1991 NBA title, Gatorade la 22: Joey Bats (Jose Bautista) Bautista once did a very funny sketch that was a version of the baseball bat scene in "The Untouchables." Like English . Howe is a PR dream, the face of the NHL and a legend in the realm of professional hockey. 4 in assists and Nash, another who wore No. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Is it still cool to diss her or is it too far gone now? Michael Jordan (23) We bet you see this coming. One look at the high-flying X-Games star, and it's easy to see why he is called "The Flying Tomato.". In his era, people of this stature were commonly called "stretch," for the way they appeared lengthened out as if someone had grabbed their toes while someone else held them by the head and pulled in the opposite direction. 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. It shows that the number 42 signifies a piece of history in baseball. The Hall of Famer battled through segregation to become one of the greatest left-handed hitters in Major League Baseball history. Williams is perhaps best known for giving up the game-and-World Series-winning home run to Joe Carter and the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 6 of the 1993 World Series. In the postseason, no one is more dominant in baseball than Jeter. Still yet another story says he was named "Satchel" simply for the immense size of his feet, looking like two satchel bags on the end of his ankles. Naim Sleymanolu (Weightlifting)- Pocket Hercules. The 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that cocaine was used by 3.8 million Americans. Named for his aggressive and controversial driving style, "The Intimidator" is the biggest name in the history of NASCAR and the father of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. His No. He appeared in six postseasons with the Dodgers (1949, 195253, 195556, 1959), facing theNew York Yankeesin the first five and theChicago White Soxin the final.