Athlete nicknames sure are lame these days

Yeah, but Flashy works for you...

 

My favourite hockey nickname of the last decade or so is still "Olie the Goalie"

Makes me laugh just to say it.

Wait a minute. I forgot the immortal "Tucksie," one of Flash's favourites.

 

I think just "chickie" works best.

 

There's a few which are still good. El Caballo for Carlos Lee comes to mind. Super Mario (been used many times, I know) is another good one.

 

Shuddit, you!

The Bulin Wall is pretty good, I have to admit.

 

Koko The Monkey.

 

I never did like Le Magnifique for Lemieux. Super Mario wasn't a bad one.

 

Thought Big Sexy was pretty good for Ritchie Sexson, despite the fact that it's ultimately just a variation of the same trend that turns Dustin Pedroia into "Pedie."

 

Well, the Whalercanes got one right. Ron Francis was also known as "Ronnie Franchise." Appropriate ... of course, I'm just a sliver biased.

But how did Arturs Irbe become "Archie"? Great guy, both as a teammate and to the media, but Archie?

 

1. An earlier generation was much more inclined to nickname people. My father had friends named Chick, Whitey, Porky, Moose, Shorty and Cherry Nose Bill.

2. A lot of the writer-created nicknames were cornball bullshit that the players hated and never used. Do you think anyone ever addressed Ted Fucking Williams as "Splendid Splinter?"

3. Some nicknames never make print or air. Jim Maloney, the old Reds pitcher, had a weird build that made his chest stick out a bit. His nickname among the players was "Tits" or "Titser." That one is not getting on the broadcast. A team I covered had a guy known as "Cheesely" because of his pungent gas.

 

A guy I know currently toiling in Amarillo in the immortal Central Hockey League was nicknamed "Reg" after Reg Dunlop. This guy was always running his yap, trying to be a coach on he ice and someone gave him that handle to honour the ultimate player/coach.

 

hmmmm, guess that makes me I Dig... I Dig that....carry on