In my opinion, the ten greatest nicknames in the history of sports.
10. Shoeless - Joe Jackson
This just goes to show you how weird sports used to be. Joe Jackson literally didn’t wear shoes in the outfield on numerous occasions. Imagine if someone did that now? The media would go bananas.
9. Big Papi - David Ortiz
This one might take some people by surprise, but I think the savageness of Papi’s nickname has been diluted by the pink-hat Red Sox fans and the desperate attempt by the marketing team to squeeze out every dollar they can from things like shirt-jerseys with “Big Papi” spread across the back. Regardless, a nickname that translates to Big Daddy is pretty awesome.
8. Johnny Football - Johnny Manziel
Something about Johnny Manziel makes this nickname so perfect. Is it his frat vibe? His electric, uncanny style of play? I don’t know, but whatever it is, I love it.
7. Money - Floyd Mayweather
I kinda hate Floyd Mayweather, but I will forever consider myself apart of The Money Team. Floyd Mayweather was Big Baller Brand before Big Baller Brand was Big Baller Brand. He talked that crap and got that Money.
6. The Cuban Missile - Aroldis Chapman
Aroldis Chapman is one of the most appropriately-hyped pitchers of all time. He is a four-time All-Star, boasts a 2.21 career ERA, is a World Series champion, and has thrown the fastest recorded pitch in Major League history at 106 MPH.
5. Big Sexy - Bartolo Colon
Big Sexy is so appropriately nicknamed. He drips animal magnetism. Here’s a testament to just how beautiful Big Sexy is: he is the only athlete EVER to be named Third and Long Smokeshow of the Day.
4. The Hefty Lefty - Jared Lorenzen
6’4” tall. 315lbs. A lefty. Must I go on? Long live the Hefty Lefty.
3. Prime Time - Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders is one of the flashiest athletes in sports history, which makes the nickname “Prime Time” extremely fitting. Deion lived for the limelight and the biggest moments. He lived for primetime. The only thing that could make this nickname better? If it was actually Showtime.
2. The White Mamba - Brian Scalabrine
This nickname is classic for so many reasons. Scalabrine truly is the anti-Kobe Bryant, and that’s why “The White Mamba” captures him so perfectly. He’s got no swag, no flash, and no talent. But oh boy can he rattle off a joke or two. Gotta love Scal.
1. Mr. November - Derek Jeter
This is honestly my favorite moment in sports history. For those of you who don’t know, the Major League season was delayed for a few days following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. As such, the World Series was pushed all the way back into November for the first time in the history of the sport. As the clock struck midnight, Jeter walked off Game Four of the 2001 World Series.
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