WHY NICKNAMES SUCK TODAY

One thing that jumped out at me recently was the current Yankees lack good nicknames, and it's not just a Yankees problem, it's a baseball problem across the board, with very few exceptions.

But back to the Yankees for a moment. John Sterling says Swishalicious, but it was never his invention. The nickname started when Swish was back in Oakland and it just stuck. But it has mixed reviews probably because Sterling hijacked it. Some people love it, some hate it, but everyone knows who Swishalicious is.

Other than that, all the Yankees nicknames for example, are based on their actual names. A-Rod. Tex. Mo. I personally blame this on ESPN’s Chris Berman who made his career on the nicknames, and nothing else. The dude's not talented. But my point is, nicknames today just aren't good, not like they were back in the day.For example, I recently wrote about the 2011 Yankees and 1980 Phillies comparison a few days ago. You can read that HERE. Just look at the nicknames on this 1980 Phillies team. There was "Charlie Hustle", which was Pete Rose, "The Bull", who was Greg Luzinski. How about "Secretary of Defense" who was Garry Maddox. Even Bake McBride, whose real name was Arnold. The Yankees back in the day had great ones as well. "Mr. October" was Reggie Jackson. There was Rich "Goose" Gossage. Ron Guidry had 2, "Gator" and "Louisiana Lightning". Oh and Bucky Dent was actually Russell, just so you know.See what I mean? Today's nicknames are much much worse. Jimmy Rollins today is "J Roll". Really? Roy Halladay is "Doc". Is that supposed to be cleaver? I think perhaps, the best nickname of this generation would have to go to Shane Victorino, also known as the "Flyin' Hawaiian." Oh yeah and Derek Jeter has 2 unique ones that work depending on the season. During the year it's "The Captain", Playoff time, it's "Mr. November". Love that.

And what about the Yankees classics. Back in the day there was "Babe", real name, George Herman Ruth. "The Iron Horse", real name, Lou Gehrig. Even Joe Dimaggio was "Joltin' Joe". How do you not like Joltin' Joe? It's a classic! You just can't top that. The nicknames early on topped today's nicknames for sure.

All I can say is that today's baseball world needs to be more clever and make it fit. That's all I'm saying...and damn you Chris Berman!

As for now, I’m sorry to say, Joltin’ Joe has left and gone away...



--Moonlight Graham BYB Staff Writer

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