Favorite nicknames

Joe Paopao - The Throwin’ Samoan

 

Mike Hargrove -- The Human Rain Delay

 

I've always thought the Tyler Rose was the best, and coined in an age when people gave the slightest thought to nicknames.

 

As long as we're on Mikes, there's Mike Stenhouse, known to his manager Earl Weaver as Full Pack, cause how many Earl smoked when he used him.

 

Magic Johnson... I am sure there are people don’t know his real first name.

Johnny Martin, better known as Pepper with a secondary nickname of The Wild Horse of the Osage.

Wizard of Oz for Ozzie Smith

And while no one really called him it, but i always thought it was interesting that Jaromir was an anagram for Mario Jr.

 

That was Jack Thompson.

 

General Mills. Not Field Mouse.

 

A streak of fire, a breath of flame
Eluding all who reach and clutch;
A gray ghost thrown into the game
That rival hands may never touch.

Thank you, Grantland Rice, for giving us the Galloping Ghost, Harold "Red" Grange.

 

Which brings us to Charles Barkley, a.k.a. Bread Truck, Food World and, of course, The Round Mound of Rebound.

 

Wow. Looking at the timing and geography that’s a bad rip off. Only surpassed by Jays fans stealing Terminator for Henke.

 

Serious version: "The Kid" for Ted Williams. John Updike used it for his essay on Williams' last at bat and everyone knew who he meant (ironically).
Not so serious version: "Frank, you really know your boxing."

 

Pocket Rocket....recently deceased Henri Richard.