"The Mailman always delivers" was the phrase that followed Malone from his college days until the end of his career and beyond. Best Known For: American track and . There are those names that just seemsoright. It shows that the number 42 signifies a piece of history in baseball. The best player on the greatest dynasty in professional sports was Bill Russell. The sports television outlet have come up with a formula that combines endorsements with social media following and the amount of intern Childhood friend and neighbor, Wilber Hines, said he gave Paige the nickname after he was caught trying to steal a bag. The world's 50 highest-paid athletes collected an astounding $2.97 billion before taxes and agents' fees over the last 12 months, smashing last year's record total by 8%more than $200 . Gabby Douglas - Movie, Height & Quotes - Biography Payton is no exception and quickly garnered the nickname "Sweetness" for his ability to make plays, and slide through the defense with ease. Jesse Owens - Movie, Olympics & Quotes - Biography Hunter is an eight-time All-Star and five-time World Series Champion. The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. . Surprisingly, no one calls him "Kazaam," but that could be because they are afraid of being sit on by a 7'1", 325 lb man. 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. Here are the nicknames of some of the other Olympians. Bill Russell, another legend of the sport, also wore No. The running back/receiver was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. Full list of Olympic athletes, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps. He is alsoknown for his 10-year reign asmiddleweightworld champion and setting a record for defending it 20 consecutive times. This nickname is clever, scores big points for rhyming with the name and personifies Holyfield to the fullest. Michael Jordan's #23 is the most iconic number in the history of sports. Jones is said to have 106 sacks unofficially and is one of the most notorious pass-rushers in the history of the game. 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. Sometimes just called Michael "Air" Jordan, the greatest basketball player to ever live has been called many other things as well. 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. "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. Wagner recorded over 3,400 hits in his career with theLouisville Colonels(18971899), andPittsburgh Pirates(19001917), in a time known as the "Dead Ball" era when pitchers reigned supreme. He then cemented his status as a hockey legend when he secured ownership of the Penguins and stopped them from moving to Kansas City. 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. The number is currently vacant at the club, just waiting for the next legend to don the famous #7. Simple, yet accurate, this nickname is solid and turned a superb athlete with a common name into a legend. The legend became the Baseball Hall of Famer in 1962. 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. The 15 Best Athletes Ever to Wear The Number 23 - YouTube From 00 to 99: Picking the top pro athletes to wear each uniform number In the postseason, no one is more dominant in baseball than Jeter. 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. Jeter was the cornerstone of the Yankees during their tremendous success in the 1990s and 2000s. In true legendary boxer style, Ali gave himself the nickname "The Greatest," but also deserves it. He stood 6'-and-a-half inches tall and weighed 225 lbs, a very large size in his time. Popular nicknames of famous athletes at the Summer Olympics His trash talking is the stuff of street legend and his longevity in the league cemented his status as an NBA great. He was a larger than life figure that was known for crushing home runs and winning seven World Series titles. 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. "AK-47" is simply Kirilenko's initials plus the number on his Utah Jazz jersey. WIZARDS OF CRICKET. application of binomial distribution in civil engineering eames replica lounge chair review eames replica lounge chair review The 29 Most Decorated Female U.S. Olympians Of All Time - Team USA Jeter is an iconic figure from a club renowned for outstanding players and has stood out among the games all-time greats. The legendary Boston Red Sox outfielder had many nicknames, such as:"The Kid","Teddy Ballgame," and"The Thumper.". 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. This is a list of sportspeople with nicknames. Top 10 Most Famous Athletes In the World 2022 | Sportshubnet The Greatest Athletes by Number (00-10) - Sports Illustrated Names that come to mind are Michael Jordan, Ryne Sandberg, Troy Vincent, David Beckham, Bob Gainey, and Ron Lancaster. By Jamie Driver Eddie Fiola Interview Lifelounge Daily Goodness", "e*thirteen Rider Steve Peat Breaks UCI World Cup Record Silverfish UK", "Shoes, Ace, Shuffle and the best football nicknames from Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates | Goal.com", "SportMob Top facts about Ruud Gullit, the Black Tulip", "The origins of Maradona's many nicknames: El Pelusa, El Cebollita", "Former Fulham and West Ham midfielder Papa Bouba Diop dies aged 42", "Matthew Booth a white knight for the black masses", "World Cup 2010: Matthew Booth the perfect advertisement for integrated South Africa", "Breesus' is the reason for potentially perfect season", "Calvin Johnson shows why Lions made him No. Indiana Pacers ( 70) Aaron McKie. Boston's prodigal son, Ortiz has become an icon in Bean Town for his clutch hitting and lovable personality. No. 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. Poor preparation, missing an important detail, or completely offend a certain segment of the audience. 28) on his jersey, the same number that Vaughn wore in the film. A sporty name from a Paralympic athlete can remind children to never give up. In many other sports, numbers of club legends are retired from use and placed in the rafters to be revered by generations of fans. The styleearned him the nickname "Crazy Legs.". Nothing more creative for a boxer than "Hitman?" 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. Also called "The Baddest on the Planet," Mike Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout12 of them occurring in the first round. He began to garner the nickname "Iron" for his toughness and seemingly total resistance to go down. 23 Greatest Athletes to Wear No. 23 Quiz Stats - By schredder - Sporcle Each sprin For the fourth year running, Cristiano Ronaldo took the crown as the world's most famous sporting icon in ESPN's World Fame 100. 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. Jordans incredible career has inspired hundreds of athletes to wear #23, including LeBron James. His #32 has been retired by the Cleveland Browns. His accomplishments on the baseball diamond are virtually unparalleled over the course of a century of baseball history. ESPN announce top 20 most famous male athletes of 2019 The mobile thrower has nearly 30,000 passing and 4,000 rushing yards to his name. Calvin "Megatron" Johnson. Derek Lowe (Boston Red Sox) 6. His tall and skinny build makes him look like a satchel tree. While attending the University of Michigan, Traylor earned his nickname for his tremendous size, dominance in the paint, and the way "Tractor" just seemed to flow with his last name. His legacy will live on in college basketball and the hearts of his students forever. Either way, the nickname is very fitting of one of the most dominant strike-out pitchers the game has ever seen. In 2005, Traylor failed a physical exam (surprise) and has played overseas ever since. What athlete is number 23? | Dependable As far as nicknames go, this one isn't much fun, but at least it's better than "Baby Shaq.". Clemens' major league career has clearly been overshadowed by steroid use allegations in recent years, but the pitcher's dominance on the mound is worth noting. 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). When the Bears needed a short yardage gain, there was "The Fridge," banging through the line and stumbling into the end zone. 3 spot with 10,335. For certain teams, some numbers hold a special place in club lore and the hearts of the fans. He was often compared to film character Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn (played byCharlie Sheen) in the1989David S. Wardfilm Major League. He was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987, with 76.27 percent of the vote, just over the necessary 75 percent to qualify. In 87 career fights, Camacho has 79 wins (including 38 knockouts) and just five losses with three draws. 5 Greatest NBA players to wear No. 23 in league history - Sportskeeda Lee Chong Wei. 23: The Human Rain Delay (Mike Hargrove) Hargrove got the nickname for the many time-consuming adjustments he would make between pitches. Author: SI Staff. Jackie Robinson passed away on October 24, 1972, at age 53. NBA & ABA Players Who Wore Uniform Number 23 He retired with the most wins of any quarterback in NFL history (which would later be broken by Favre, Brady, and Manning). The over-sized running back looked like a bus carrying opponents on his back while being dressed in yellow and black. "Mr. Hockey" is used to sum up his life, and it is very fitting. 88. However, Newton underwent verticalgastrectomy,in February 2010,a surgical operation that removes up to 75 percent of a patient's stomach and staples the remainder. He amazed hockey fans from the moment he stepped onto the ice with the Edmonton Oilers in 1978. 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. From popular baby names to more rare ones, choosing a name from this list is a great choice for sporty girls. ", The NBA Hall of Fame member and current TNT studio analyst is also known as"Sir Charles.". Moses Malone . "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. "The Great Bambino," "The Sultan of Swat," "The Colossus of Clout," and simply "The Babe," are all references to baseball's greatest legend. The 25 Athletes with the Most Nicknames | News, Scores, Highlights legendary athlete number 23 nickname - ilbbs.com 4 - Lou Gehrig by a sliver over Bobby Orr. But those come from the big four traditional sports: baseball, football, basketball and hockey. In the realm of all-time nicknames, it is definitely sweet, but it hits the countdown towards the back, because there isn't much back story here, and he's not actually a hitman. Rose is the career MLB hits leader, having recorded 4,256 knocks. The nickname given to Camacho seems born out of synergy, contained in, and rhyming with, his last name. Wooden disapproved so mightily of individual achievement, he wouldn't even allow his players to dunk the ball. 26 Further reading. 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. Twenty-three is the number . Between June 2016 and 2017, LeBron earned $86 million. The 6'9", 271lb lineman recorded 57 sacks in his career but played before the sack became an official stat in 1982. Michael Jordan (23) We bet you see this coming. He is perhaps the best player in Major League Baseball history that is yet to enter the Hall of Fame, having been banned for life for lying about his involvement with betting on baseball. Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the best hockey player ever to play the game, in the same conversations with Gordie Howe and Brett Hull. He played professional football in the NFL with theAtlanta Falcons(19891993),San Francisco 49ers(1994),Dallas Cowboys(19951999),Washington Redskins(2000) andBaltimore Ravens(20042005). This is one of the most fitting nicknames on the countdown. Greatest College Football Players by Jersey Number The nickname stuck throughout his career and separated his fairly common name from the rest of the herd. He still embraces the persona of the Rock to this day, and the nickname is too perfect. Hardaway was a four-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA first team selection and NBA All-Rookie first team selection (1994). Just as important as his stats to his legacy are the monikers we have come to know and fondly use to remember him. Gabby Douglas, is an American gymnast who became the first African American in Olympic history to win the individual all-around event at the 2012 Summer Games. The Canadian ice hockey legend got his moniker from his thundering slap shot, which was said to echo through stands and arenas like a sonic boom. Sorry Derek Jeter fans, but Big Red was the best thoroughbred race horse of all-time. 105 people from all around the world were asked to name who they thought would be the 'most famous athlete of all time'. Kemp retired in 2003 and now the only thing falling from the sky in Kemp's world are illegitimate children, as he has 11 of them from nine different women last time we checked. 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. NBA Countdown: Who wore No. 33 best? - Yahoo! 33 his college number in his lone year alongside . 2. The Neon legend was born in Tallahassee, where Sanders was a two-time consensus All-America, and a Jim Thorpe . "The Glove" was born when Payton's cousin called him during the 1993Western ConferenceFinals series and told him"you're holdingKevin Johnsonlike abaseballin aglove.". 79 - Rosey Brown. He is best known for his unusual running style, which some say he developed running cross legged over four square cement sidewalk blocks in his home town. The Dodgers won theWorld Series in 1955and in1959. Nash led the league in assists five times. List of Top 100 Athletes in the World and their Net worth (2023) #23 is now retired by both the Chicago Bulls and North Carolina Tar Heels. Wagner was a first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee in 1936, gaining 95.13 percent of the vote. Douglas, standing at 5' 2", also won . mark reinstein/Shutterstock. Johnson was elected to theNBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996, is a five-time NBA Champion with the Los Angeles Lakers, a three-time MVP and a 12-time All-Star. No. Rodman earned his moniker with aggressive and often over-the-top defense. As owner of the Kansas City A's, Charles O. Finley thought his new pitcher needed a solid nickname, and citing Hunter's giant 'stache which looked like a catfish's whiskers, gave him the nickname "catfish.". Erving electrified crowds with his dunking and leaping abilities, and the nickname seemed divine and easily matched his personality and persona. Ivan Rodriguez also got his moniker for the same reason. Brown has inspired generations of running backs to wear #32 in his honor including Marcus Allen and OJ Simpson. As time passes, these athletes will be remembered for the accomplishments achieved while wearing their preferred numbers. No. Usain Bolt (11%) and Pel (11%) then completed the Top 5. Chuck Klien (Philadelphia Phillies) 4. ", "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. (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). 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. Best Athletes by Number: 66-99. His #99 is retired throughout the NHL, never to be worn by another player again. 15: Carlos Beltran. As captain of the Yankees, Jeter epitomized the clubs ideals and excelled on the field. Ranking the greatest athletes of all-time by jersey number The Yankees great still holds the record for consecutive games with at least one hit with a 56-hit streak in 1941. 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. He pitched parts of 11 seasons with theMinnesota Twins(1990,1993),Florida Marlins(1995),Chicago Cubs(1995) andBoston Red Sox(1996-2002). Angel Di Maria currently wears the #7 shirt after his blockbuster transfer deal this summer. List of sportspeople with nicknames - Wikipedia Other nicknames, aliases, and monikers include: "Shaq," "Shaq Fu," "The BigAristotle," "The Big Daddy," "Superman," "The BigAgave," "The Big Cactus," "The Big Shaqtus," "The BigGalactus," "Wilt Chamberneezy," "The BigBaryshnikov," "The Real Deal," "Dr. Shaq,""The BigShamrock," "The BigLeprechaun," "Shaqovic,"and the most recent, "The Big Conductor.". The 10 Most Famous Malaysian Athletes - Culture Trip Is it still cool to diss her or is it too far gone now? (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. Michael Jordans #23 is the most iconic number in the history of sports. 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. Johnson once said toDave Jacobs, "That kid you got is sweet as sugar," and the nickname stuck. Muhammad Ali. 6 during his days with the Boston Celtics. Thomas was a dominant hitter and an icon during his playing days with the Chicago White Sox. The big man spent his best NBA days with the Los Angeles Lakers and the Seattle SuperSonics, but he was also on the 1985 NBA All-Rookie First Team roster with the Dallas Mavericks. The Nigerian giant stood 7-feet tall and weighed 255 pounds in his playing days. Was the famous number 23 of the Chicago Bulls? Allyson Felix, Track and Field: 9 medals (6 G, 3 S) Felix is the only female track and field athlete to ever win six Olympic gold medals and her nine medals are tied for the most ever won by a . Our most famous number in sports is the former NBA player Michael Jordan's number 23. Fan Fuel: Greatest players to wear No. 23 - sportsnet.ca 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. 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.". 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. Either way, the nickname stuck, as did the movie. Nicklaus earned the nickname at an early age because of his shock of blond hair and stout build. Joe was never a stranger to the media, providing plenty of quotes and controversy in his days, and "Broadway Joe" seems fitting despite the limited experience in actual theatre. Joel Mason, an Iron River native who was born March 12, 1912 and died Oct. 31, 1995 at the age of 83, was a professional football and basketball player. The Top 10 Athlete Nicknames - Sports Networker ), "The Mountain Bike Hall of Fame Hall of Fame Inductees". By the 1930s numbers on uniforms were standard practice for Major League Baseball teams and were common in other sports like football and hockey. Steve Carlton (Philadelphia Phillies) 3. "Three Fingers" Brown was able to throw many pitches that could not be achieved by a man with a full hand. Rod "He Hate Me" Smart was the shining star of the Vince McMahon's XFL, which lasted all of one season. Robinson possessed tremendous self-control, enduring racial slurs, death threats, and hostile fans around the country. Kirilenko's nickname is fairly obvious but still cool because it's the same as the name of a firearm. Cosentino, Frank. He overcame an HIV diagnosis and has continued his success off the court in the business world. . It has spawned other nicknames involving athletes with the last name "Rodriguez," including the current record holder for most saves in a season, Frankie "K-Rod" Rodriguez. 5. Beginning in March, Tyson will be featured in a six-part series on Animal Planet entitled, "Taking on Tyson." Rodman was a king on the court when it came down to getting into his opponent's physche. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all sported the #7 during their successful exploits with the club.