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A big part of baseball history is the nicknames given to the players, names that so aptly describe their skills or personalities -- or do the opposite -- that they remain in the consciousness long after that player has retired. And with such a rich history of names, Terra has pared the list down to the top 10.
Photo: AP in English
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10. Walter 'The Big Train' Johnson: One of the best pitchers in baseball history, Johnson won 417 games and compiled a Major League-record 110 career shutouts. He earned his nickname for his size -- he was 6-foot-1, 200 pounds in an era when the average player was much smaller -- and for his blazing fastball.
Photo: AP in English
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9. 'Dizzy' Dean: Dean gave several different versions of the story as to how he came about his name, but it was inevitably due to his loud and brash character. His brother, Paul, was nicknamed 'Daffy.' Dean is the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season.
Photo: AP in English
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8. 'Cool Papa' Bell: Bell earned his nickname as a 19-year-old, when his teammates awoke him on a train to tell him the newspaper reported he would be the staring pitcher the next day. Bell did not react, and won the game and hit a home run the next day to earn part of his moniker. He earned the other half when St. Louis Stars manager Bill Gatewood said, 'We've got to add something to it. We'll call him Cool Papa.'
Photo: AP in English
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7. Willie 'Hit 'Em Where They Ain't' Keeler: Keeler, who is tied with Pete Rose for the National League's longest hitting streak at 44 games, earned his nickname because he constantly said, 'Keep your eye clear, and hit 'em where they ain't.'
Photo: AP in English
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6. Ty Cobb, 'The Georgia Peach:' Cobb earned his nickname because he was born in Georgia, where the peach is the state fruit. But it may have been a contradictory nickname, because Cobb was anything but a peach on the field of play, as one of the most ferocious and angriest players of his time.
Photo: AP in English
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5. Ozzie Smith, the 'Wizard of Oz:' Ozzie Smith's nickname stems from his first name, of course, and from an acrobatic style on the field that earned him 13 straight Gold Gloves at shortstop.
Photo: AP in English
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4. Mordecai 'Three Fingers' Brown: Brown earned his nickname for obvious reasons, as he lost parts of two fingers on his hand in a farming accident. Brown won 209 games and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1948.
Photo: AP in English
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3. 'Babe' Ruth, the 'Sultan of Swat:' Ruth earned his most famous nickname as a bonus baby when he signed with Baltimore. He was riding his bike through the training facility when a player said, 'Look at that babe,' and the name stuck. That name morphed into the 'Bambino,' and after he became known for his home run-hitting prowess, he earned the 'Sultan of Swat' moniker.
Photo: AP in English
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2. Ted Williams, the 'Splendid Splinter:' Williams earned his most famous moniker when he came up on account of his thin frame and his ability to hit. He later earned another just as famous nickname, 'Teddy Ballgame.'
Photo: AP in English
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1. Pete Rose, 'Charlie Hustle:' Is there another nickname more suited to its bearer? It was a derisive name at first, as Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford coined the term after Rose sprinted to first base after drawing a walk. Rose did everything all-out, and the name soon stuck. Of course, off the field he's more than lived up to it as well, what with his gambling debts getting him banned for life from baseball.
Photo: AP in English
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A big part of baseball history is the nicknames given to the players, names that so aptly describe their skills or personalities -- or do the opposite -- that they remain in the consciousness long after that player has retired. And with such a rich history of names, Terra has pared the list down to the top 10.
Photo: AP in English
