He has worn the iconic #7 for Manchester United as well as the Portuguese National Team and his current club Real Madrid. The Rock is just too famous of a nickname to not put on this list. 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. 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. Aside from the final stop of his football career in Baltimore, he wore #21 for his other four teams. Williams said he didnt change his number until 1993 because that was his first chance to do it.". 31.April (Latin origin) meaning "open". Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the best hockey player ever to play the game, in the same conversations with Gordie Howe and Brett Hull. Olajuwon's first name was spelled "Akeem" in his college days at the University of Houston and early into his NBA career. 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. There's no inventive story here: "Dr. J" was given to Julius Erving by a high school friend, who watched him play and likened his smoothness with the ball and ability to score like the precision of a doctor performing surgery. He was a two-time MVP, an . 4 in assists and Nash, another who wore No. With a common name like Ed Jones, inserting "Too Tall" seemed like an easy way to separate the man and make him an individual. Johnson once said toDave Jacobs, "That kid you got is sweet as sugar," and the nickname stuck. LISTING OF PRIMARY NUMBERS IN CAPS; Secondary Numbers in lower case. Venus Williams has seven grand slam titles, of which 5 are at Wimbledon, making her one of the best in the game. 2 2. 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. One of the greatest athletes ever, Usain Bolt is popular by the nickname 'Lightning Bolt'. Unique lists featuring pop culture, entertainment and crazy facts. Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." Also called "The Boilermaker," Jeffries was a world heavyweight boxing champion just before the turn of the 20th century. Poor preparation, missing an important detail, or completely offend a certain segment of the audience. He was a larger than life figure that was known for crushing home runs and winning seven World Series titles. The #7 shirt at Manchester United has been worn by several of the greatest players of all time. 2 Deion Sanders, CB, Florida State (1985-88) Focus on Sport/Getty Images. It seemed so right to give him the nickname, giventhe man many consider to be the best boxer of all-time is also named "Sugar Ray" (Robinson). Hall of Fame linebacker got the nickname Mad Stork for his gangly frame (6-7, 220-pounds). Emmitt Smith. How do you rank the best nicknames of all time? In 21 total fights, Jeffries had 18 victories and 14 knockouts, with just one loss and two draws. Hernndez is also known for the enormous leg kick featured in his delivery. 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. Jones is said to have 106 sacks unofficially and is one of the most notorious pass-rushers in the history of the game. The former Super Bowl champion New York Giant gained the nickname due to his large stature and semi-rare left-handedness. Orenthal James was shortened to O.J., which is an acronym shared by "Orange Juice," and there you have it. "The Mailman always delivers" was the phrase that followed Malone from his college days until the end of his career and beyond. In the postseason, no one is more dominant in baseball than Jeter. Reese was a 10-time All-Star and two-time World Series Champion with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. Jeter is an iconic figure from a club renowned for outstanding players and has stood out among the games all-time greats. While Wilt's playing career and infamous personal dealings with women are the stuff of legend, his nickname seems a little weak for his accolades. 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. Lists of nicknames - nickname list articles on Wikipedia ", The NBA Hall of Fame member and current TNT studio analyst is also known as"Sir Charles.". The best of the bunch is Brown, who is a name from the past. 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. In 1993, Williams started wearing the No. William Wilson received the nickname "Mookie" as a child, when his mother noticed he was having trouble asking her for more "milk.". Andre Dawson's nickname, "The Hawk," was given to him by an uncle when Andre was very young. Robinson broke Major Leagues Baseball color barrier, becoming the first black man to play in the league since the 1880s. Our most famous number in sports is the former NBA player Michael Jordan's number 23. If pressed to name a national sport, Malaysians would say "badminton.". 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. Seriously? Salley was also a co-host for "Best Damn Sports Show Period," alongside Tom Arnold and Chris Rose. 23, even if it was for a short period during his career. Possibly one of the most well-known athletes of all-time, George Herman Ruth could have had his nickname "Babe" included with Tiger Woods, Magic Johnson, and Boomer Esiason, but it was just one of many for the 22 year pitcher turned outfielder. 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. It has been said that he could run 100 yards in 10 seconds and high jump over six feet. 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. Namath's nickname "Broadway Joe" was given him bySherman Plunkett, a Jets teammate. 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. "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. He did however appear in summerstock productions ofDamn YankeesandFiddler on the Roof.". The nickname comes from Wilt's height and slender build and the obvious rhyming of his first name. What was your favorite jersey number that numerous legends wore? DiMaggio was bound to earn a few nicknames in his playing days, and "Joltin' Joe" was just the beginning. Rod "He Hate Me" Smart was the shining star of the Vince McMahon's XFL, which lasted all of one season. The high-flyer ranks 13th in career scoring in the NBA and is mentioned nearly every year during the dunk contest and has been a judge in the competition multiple times. We have to say it: "He'll stomp on a child's testicles, but he won't poop on a pigeon.". 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. However, it was as a fullback that got him his alias, and it would stick with him long after his playing days were over. Also known as simply "A.I.," Iverson became known as "The Answer" in his first tour of duty with the Philadelphia 76ers. Kirilenko's nickname is fairly obvious but still cool because it's the same as the name of a firearm. 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. Erving electrified crowds with his dunking and leaping abilities, and the nickname seemed divine and easily matched his personality and persona. For certain teams, some numbers hold a special place in club lore and the hearts of the fans. Whether they describe physical appearance, a catch phrase, or an extreme and unique ability, these nicknames follow their host, even beyond the grave. As far as nicknames go, this one isn't much fun, but at least it's better than "Baby Shaq.". 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. Coolest Nicknames From Non-Traditional Sports. Musial is, to this day, regarded to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. His other famous nickname, "The Yankee Clipper," also deserves a mention on the countdown. In true legendary boxer style, Ali gave himself the nickname "The Greatest," but also deserves it. From popular baby names to more rare ones, choosing a name from this list is a great choice for sporty girls. In 87 career fights, Camacho has 79 wins (including 38 knockouts) and just five losses with three draws. No. He followed that up by winning the same titles in the European Athletics Championships in 2014. 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. Cosentino, Frank. While most think the successful Alabama Crimson Tide coach was named "Bear" for his personality, it was actually given to him as a child. Birth Country: United States. "Prime Time" was more than just a nickname for Sanders, it became his alter-ego, and it became difficult to separate the man from the legend. These numbers can be passed down from one club legend to the next, as the tradition is in soccer. The nickname stuck throughout his career and separated his fairly common name from the rest of the herd. He also played for the New York Yankees of the American Football League for just one season before they absolved into the NFL. Leonard Buck (Baseball) 5. Angel Di Maria currently wears the #7 shirt after his blockbuster transfer deal this summer. 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. "The Glove" was born when Payton's cousin called him during the 1993Western ConferenceFinals series and told him"you're holdingKevin Johnsonlike abaseballin aglove.". Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd The styleearned him the nickname "Crazy Legs.". Over 75 years after Ruth's professional baseball career ended, he is still regarded as the best baseball player to ever live. The best player on the greatest dynasty in professional sports was Bill Russell. Eighty-eight years ago this week, the New York Yankees became the first professional sports team to permanently wear numbers on their uniforms. 5 - Joe DiMaggio. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1980s, before he was dealt in a blockbuster deal to the Los Angeles Kings. Likewise, his relationship with his father remains strong; therefore when Chipper was progressing through the ranks of baseball, he decided to keep the name. Sorry Derek Jeter fans, but Big Red was the best thoroughbred race horse of all-time. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has 16,726 career yards, along with 110 TDs on the ground. 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. The Neon legend was born in Tallahassee, where Sanders was a two-time consensus All-America, and a Jim Thorpe . Numbers are now considered a common feature for uniforms in every team sport. 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. Mario Lemieux is a hero to many hockey fans, but not only because of his contributions to the Pittsburgh Penguins on the ice. His #13 is retired by both the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Miami Dolphins, and he is the greatest quarterback to ever wear the number. 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. 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. No joke here, just a great player and an exceptional man. Currently playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, Adam "Pacman" Jones received his nickname as a young child, when it was noted that he could drink his milk as fast as the video game character. Triskaidekaphobic football fans dreaded the Sundays when Marino and the Miami Dolphins rolled into town, because it usually meant their defense was in for a long day. Elgin Baylor. The legendary coach lived to be 99-years-old, passing away last June. Most recently, Suarez brought the shirt some disgrace with his on-field antics, but he also helped Liverpool mount their best title challenge in over a decade. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Bettis is certainly a large man, weighing 252lbs while standing only 5'11" tall. 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. It has been a popular jersey number for decades with success of athletes across the board. James has worn different numbers throughout his career but is probably tied together most with the number 23. 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. 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. His nickname prompted fraternity members to rename the commonly-practiced act, involving a passed-out friend and a head shaver. 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. Naim Sleymanolu (Weightlifting)- Pocket Hercules. The Dodgers won theWorld Series in 1955and in1959. Barkley had a stellar professional basketball career and continues to be a force on the celebrity sports scene. That brings his total annual income to roughly $80 million. The wily pitcher was a fan favorite despite his volatile personality, and his moniker is indicative of his aggressive pitching style. Lemieux was rewarded for his efforts with a third Stanley Cup, which he won as the owner in 2009. These players have left a lasting impression on their respective teams. Just as important as his stats to his legacy are the monikers we have come to know and fondly use to remember him. Answer: Jack Nicklaus. Elway played all sixteen seasons with the Denver Broncos wearing the #7. 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.". Lemieux also overcame Hodgkins Lymphoma, which caused him to miss the entire 1994-95 season. Bryant would grow up to be one of the most prominent figures in college sports and one of the most successful coaches in college football history, winning six national titles. He pitched parts of 11 seasons with theMinnesota Twins(1990,1993),Florida Marlins(1995),Chicago Cubs(1995) andBoston Red Sox(1996-2002). 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). Famous for wearing the number 23 jersey throughout the entirety of his career, Murphy achieved much while playing, including . There are so many famous AKAs in the world of sports, and many deserve their place at the top of the heap. The tall glass of water is a solid shooter, and therefore, the gun jokes just flow. He began to garner the nickname "Iron" for his toughness and seemingly total resistance to go down. It was Mike Bratz, a point guard who played 15 games in the 1982-83 season). Johnston got his moniker from a teammate on the Dallas Cowboys, Babe Laufenberg, a second-string quarterback.