His legacy will live on in college basketball and the hearts of his students forever. Robinson was a six-time All-Star, World Series Champion, and the 1949 National League MVP. #23 is now retired by both the Chicago Bulls and North Carolina Tar Heels. However, his nickname doesn't rank very highly on a list of originality and creativity. We even remember his name, as "Babe" Ruth, instead of George Ruth. Hardaway was a four-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA first team selection and NBA All-Rookie first team selection (1994). 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 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. George Herman Ruth, better known as The Babe, the Sultan of Swat, or the Great Bambino was the greatest hitter during one the greatest eras in the history of baseball. He is also one of the most dominant. Rodman was a king on the court when it came down to getting into his opponent's physche. It's one of the more unique and popular nicknames of the modern era.". Wayne Gretzky might be the sport's greatest player, but Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, in many respects, was its most popular. He amazed hockey fans from the moment he stepped onto the ice with the Edmonton Oilers in 1978. 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 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. So, Jordan divided it in half and wore #23. Die-hard Seattle Mariners fans remember the smooth delivery and fantastic catch phrases of broadcaster Dave Niehaus and the way he would refer to Johnson as "The Big Unit" instead of his actual name for the entire duration of the tall lefty's playing days in Seattle. A 7'1" tree with more nicknames than points per game (4.0 career average), Joel Przybilla is a force to be reckoned with; if mostly in the Name Hall of Fame. Elway possessed an uncanny ability to lead his teams to victory when they trailed late in games. Rodman earned his moniker with aggressive and often over-the-top defense. and the name stuck. Poor preparation, missing an important detail, or completely offend a certain segment of the audience. Robinson's nickname is derived from his service in the United States Navy. Professional sports seems to be the perfect breeding ground for bizarre and hilarious nicknames for athletes. What was your favorite jersey number that numerous legends wore? 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. 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. Rices legendary hands were developed throughout his childhood, when he worked as a brick mason. But those come from the big four traditional sports: baseball, football, basketball and hockey. Birth Country: United States. 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. 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. He wore the #3 for his entire baseball career and has had that number retired by the New York Yankees. "Hammerin' Hank" played 23 seasons and recorded 755 career home runs and 3,771 hits. Sometimes, the new moniker comes from an inside joke with . Mlkvy received his nickname while attending Temple University. Name: Jesse Owens. Publish date: May 25, 2009. . Grange was drafted by, and finished his career with, the Chicago Bears. A lot of these athletes have worn other numbers as well. Gender: Male. "The Mailman always delivers" was the phrase that followed Malone from his college days until the end of his career and beyond. But we know him best for the TV personality aspect. 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. The nickname seems to describe his abilities perfectly, and Jordan and the moniker are now inseparable. The nickname is cool because it's edgy and impressive, but then when you find out he's a boxer, it just seems kind of lame. 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. Full list of Olympic athletes, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps. Bill Russell, another legend of the sport, also wore No. In his playing days, Jerome was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL. Why he's here: When you start to look through MLB records for switch-hitters, you begin to put Beltran's stellar career in perspective. Musial is, to this day, regarded to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. 4 - Lou Gehrig by a sliver over Bobby Orr. Robinson broke Major Leagues Baseball color barrier, becoming the first black man to play in the league since the 1880s. Following legal troubles, Camacho retired from professional boxing and has since proclaimed himself to be a "born again Christian.". 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. August 10, 2021 9:00 am. Standing just 5'10" tall, Johnson has enough attitude packed inside his small frame for the rest of us. 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. 5 Best players to wear No. Turns out the nickname is a motivational tool to remind Eldrick to fight for his dreams and accomplishments.". He spent 12 years in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets and New York Knicks. What famous athletes wore number 22? William Perry was a fan favorite with the Chicago Bears from 1985-93, and the team used him on both sides of the ball. After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. During his time with the 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowls and led the league in receiving yardage six times. The amount of spin generated by the mangled bones and missing pieces of his dominant hand had great effects and led to Brown's legendary moniker. The school's mascot is the Owl and the obvious lack of a vowel letter in his last name was the second half of a legendary nickname. Payton's defense is the stuff of NBA legend. He is considered the . Wilkins earned his alias with gravity-defying dunks and prolific scoring. Birth Year: 1913. In modern sports, athletes are valuable assets that are the centerpiece of advertising campaigns and the faces of their organizations. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. The wily pitcher was a fan favorite despite his volatile personality, and his moniker is indicative of his aggressive pitching style. Indiana Pacers ( 19) New York Knicks ( 19) Milwaukee Bucks ( 22, 23) Don May. Here are the nicknames of some of the other Olympians. His nickname prompted fraternity members to rename the commonly-practiced act, involving a passed-out friend and a head shaver. (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). In the News: Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy, Jimmy Garoppolo, Tom Brady. Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." In the postseason, no one is more dominant in baseball than Jeter. Usain Bolt (11%) and Pel (11%) then completed the Top 5. As a pass-rusher, Perry dominated offensive backfields and was constantly in the head of opposing quarterbacks. 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. Kirilenko's nickname is fairly obvious but still cool because it's the same as the name of a firearm. 15: Carlos Beltran. Pro Football Hall of Famers by Jersey Numbers Class of 2004 inductee Bob Brown wore #76 with the Eagles, Rams, and Raiders. However, soon after signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007, Plummer announced his retirement, citing his desire to live a more peaceful life. He was also the second most prolific passer in NFL history, with 51,475 career passing yards, despite only leading the NFL in passing yardage once. He still embraces the persona of the Rock to this day, and the nickname is too perfect. It has been said that he could run 100 yards in 10 seconds and high jump over six feet. Seriously? 25 References. April Holmes has one gold medal and two bronze . He is a two-time NBA MVP and 13-time NBA All-Star selection and is currently ranked second all-time in NBA scoring. The best player on the greatest dynasty in professional sports was Bill Russell. A household name in the modern game, James has won 3 NBA World Championships, and has been NBA MVP 4 times. While sporting the #66, he helped the Penguins lift the Stanley Cup twice, won three Hart Trophies, and earned six Art Ross Trophies as the leagues leading scorer. 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.". Birth date: September 12, 1913. Gordon earned his nickname when he burst on to the scene in 1989 at the age of 21, when he went 17-9 in his first full season in the majors. Coolest Nicknames From Non-Traditional Sports. The ESPN World Fame 100 is our annual attempt to create a ranking, through statistical analysis, of the 100 most famous athletes on the planet.. We started with Forbes' annual list of the highest . Baseball stars have had success with the number as well with Don Mattingly, Ryne Sandberg, and Zach Greinke thriving with the number 23 in . 28) on his jersey, the same number that Vaughn wore in the film. Johnson can now be considered one of the most successful athletes of all time. Michael Jordan's #23 is the most iconic number in the history of sports. He retired as the all-time leader in goals scored with 894 and holds the all-time lead in assists with 1,963. His lawyer should have been named "The electric no possibility of victory but still attempting attorney.". 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. 99. This nickname isn't creative at all, but is so synonymous with the Yankees third baseman it deserves a mention on the countdown. Follow your favourite Olympic heroes on their journey to the games. 5. James has worn different numbers throughout his career but is probably tied together most with the number 23. Along with Aaron's power, his longevity also is worth noting. Howe is a PR dream, the face of the NHL and a legend in the realm of professional hockey. His nickname, Louisiana Lightning, is an all-timer. "While doing the research on why someone would name their child "Eldrick," it was discovered the nickname "Tiger" was given to him by his father. Author: SI Staff. DiMaggio was given the nickname "The Yankee Clipper" by Yankees announcer Arch McDonald in 1939, when he likened DiMaggio's speed and range in the field to the then-new Pan American airliner. "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. 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. One of the greatest athletes ever, Usain Bolt is popular by the nickname 'Lightning Bolt'. Hall of Fame player Alex English deserves some recognition for wearing No. The Wu-Tang Clan references are as . According to an interview on theDan Patrickradio showon10/22/08, the number change had nothing to do with the filmMajor League. Troy Aikman and Johnston remain close friends, having won three Super Bowls together. Cocaine usage peaked in the United States 1982 with 10.4 million users. When the Bears needed a short yardage gain, there was "The Fridge," banging through the line and stumbling into the end zone. 3 He was known as the 'Splendid Splinter' and is considered one of baseball's greatest hitters. Best Known For: American track and . It's actually a powerful testament to Jordan's greatness that simply shortening his first name . His other famous nickname, "The Yankee Clipper," also deserves a mention on the countdown. How do you rank the best nicknames of all time? He plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League and has been the team's captain since 2013.His record list includes the fastest century by an Indian . Emmitt Smith. The thumb is not called a "finger," and therefore doesn't count. 3 has become a symbol of pride for NASCAR fans everywhere, and he is remembered as being fearless while winning seven Sprint Cup Championships and four IROC Championships in 677 races spanning 27 years. He stood 6'-and-a-half inches tall and weighed 225 lbs, a very large size in his time. Aside from the final stop of his football career in Baltimore, he wore #21 for his other four teams. His trash talking is the stuff of street legend and his longevity in the league cemented his status as an NBA great. In many other sports, numbers of club legends are retired from use and placed in the rafters to be revered by generations of fans. application of binomial distribution in civil engineering eames replica lounge chair review eames replica lounge chair review This nickname was bound to happen, seeing as how his last name is so closely spelled to "goose," and there were no other candidates that could top it. 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. 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). In less than a decade, both MLB catchers will be Hall of Fame members. legendary athlete number 23 nicknamepeinture gris mtallis voiturepeinture gris mtallis voiture 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. Rickey Henderson. Jon Lieber (Chicago Cubs) 7. Perkins played the game with pride and a seemingly calm demeanor that earned him the nickname "Big Smooth.". Penny has attributed his successes in life to his grandma, who raised him up as a child while his mother was away working. Unless he attempts a return to baseball, which isn't likely, he will be eligible for the Hall of Fame following the 2012 season and could be a first-ballot Hall of Famer and definitely deserves to be elected. When he recorded atriple-doubleof 36points, 18reboundsand 16assists. When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. When Magic Johnson was drafted with the first overall pick in the 1979 NBA Draft, he had to change his #33 from Michigan State, which belonged to the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Alexander Karelin (Wrestling)- The . Elway retired following two consecutive Super Bowl wins and appeared in five Super Bowls. No joke here, just a great player and an exceptional man. From popular baby names to more rare ones, choosing a name from this list is a great choice for sporty girls. 23 Other. 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. Here's a look at 19 of the most famous athletes in the world. The nickname "Charlie Hustle" was given to Rose by Whitey Ford in 1963, who was watching the then-rookie Rose sprint to first base on a walk. Often considered the greatest boxer, Ali made a name for himself with his quick footwork, skills, and trash-talking persona. These numbers can be passed down from one club legend to the next, as the tradition is in soccer. Between June 2016 and 2017, LeBron earned $86 million. Very few athletes have earned their nickname quite like Dominique Wilkins. Orenthal James was shortened to O.J., which is an acronym shared by "Orange Juice," and there you have it. Nicklaus won 20 major titles before retiring to design golf courses. Williams said he didnt change his number until 1993 because that was his first chance to do it.". Named for his cool demeanor on a basketball court, Gervin played in both the ABA and the NBA, and it has been said at his ABA tryout in Virginia, he made 22-of-25 three-point attempts. He was a two-time MVP, an . Players carefully cultivate their public images in order to maximize their value on and off the field of play. Hopkins is known for 51 wins in 59 fights, which include 32 knockouts and one no contest. Chuck Klien (Philadelphia Phillies) 4. Jim Thorpe. He won both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in the 2012 London Olympics. The term has become synonymous with small stature, which Reese also had. Carry on with the slideshow, and impress your friends with your newfound street cred. Twenty-three is the number . Manager Alfred Lawson chose to put numbers on his teams jerseys in order for fans to easily identify each of th. 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. The 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that cocaine was used by 3.8 million Americans. When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. Applicants are ranked on creativity, unique jargon and consideration of prominence. The nickname may not be specific to the Yankees shortstop, but he personifies the alliterative nickname with consistent big hits when needed most. ), "The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Hall of Fame Inductees". This is a list of sportspeople with nicknames. No. In this sport, Lee Chong Wei sits on the throne. The nickname literally translated means "The Duke," but his moniker is in reference to a tropical hurricane, which he is said to have brought on his opponents while pitching on the mound. 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.". Ivan Rodriguez also got his moniker for the same reason. Toggle the table of contents . In 2005, Traylor failed a physical exam (surprise) and has played overseas ever since. Legendary NFL players with number 18 jerseys include Peyton Manning, Charlie Joiner, and Emmitt Thomas, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career . Quite possibly the athlete with the most nicknames in sports history, Shaquille O'Neal seems to be a fan favorite wherever he goes, and his outgoing personality has earned him numerous sponsorships and TV/Film appearances. (Featuring @ann76 as Author)", "Wereldtitel Van Dijk met Specialized-Lululemon", "March 31, 2007 Sarasota Herald Tribune article", United States Olympic Committee document confirming Harris's first name (page.44 *.pdf file. The NBA big man grew up in the small community ofGans, Okla., and attended Oklahoma State University. Venus Williams has seven grand slam titles, of which 5 are at Wimbledon, making her one of the best in the game. Pel, byname of Edson Arantes do Nascimento, (born October 23, 1940, Trs Coraes, Brazildied December 29, 2022, So Paolo, Brazil), Brazilian football (soccer) player, in his time probably the most famous and possibly the best-paid athlete in the world. Was the famous number 23 of the Chicago Bulls? ", "Welcome Home Kovy: Alex(ei) Kovalev Wins It in a Shootout", "Rusty Kanokogi Receives Award of Distinction from Japan Women's Sports Foundation", "Soundcheck: Bam Margera: Jackass/international Celebrity", "Gebrselassie and Ndereba supreme over 15km in Melbourne", "Athletics: Bekele ready to shred the record books More Sports, Sport", "Top 10 sports scams cheating and great sport scandals", "China News Headlines | Hong Kong's premier newspaper online", "Female Pro Athlete Christine Wellington", "Sand supremacy: Misty, Kerri defend title", "Chinese Sporting Beauties Remain Single > PROFILES > SPORTSWOMEN", "Legendary yachtsman 'Biltong' Bertie Reed dies Mail & Guardian Online: The smart news source", "Mr Stanley John "Bertie" REED (Profile) Who's Who of Southern Africa", "Features Landing Page | features.boats.com", "'Baltimore Bullet' has history in his sights", "AFP: Aussie coach sells training program secrets to China report", https://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1999/01/16/somott16.html, "Bowling: Iron Lady Wendy still has fire in her belly", "Trinity reflex: The "Magic" returns | Radio Control Car Action | Find Articles at BNET", "Hong Kong News Headlines | Hong Kong's premier newspaper online", "/ online", " ", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_sportspeople_with_nicknames&oldid=1139509378, Lists of people with nickname by occupation, Articles with German-language sources (de), Pages with login required references or sources, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from March 2022, Articles with PDF format bare URLs for citations, Articles with dead external links from June 2016, Articles with dead external links from January 2018, Articles with permanently dead external links, Articles with dead external links from January 2017, Articles with dead external links from November 2009, Articles with dead external links from July 2021, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles containing Japanese-language text, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Afrikaans-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, "Mo Santa" (Portuguese for "Holy Hand") =, This page was last edited on 15 February 2023, at 14:20.