The greatest MLB nicknames of all time

For the last century, "The Babe" has been considered the best baseball player who ever lived. He also might have the most recognizable and longest series of nicknames, including The Babe, Great Bambino, Sultan of Swan, Colossus of Clout, and King of Crash, among others. His legend and long list of nicknames were affectionately stated in the classic 1993 movie The Sandlot.

The late 1980s/early 1990's Oakland Athletics were one of the most exciting teams MLB has ever conceived, and the powerful duo of Mark McGwire and Jose Canseco were a big reason. From 1987-1992, McGwire hit 217 home runs, and Canseco had a similarly impressive 230 home runs from 1986-1992. Many years later we came to find out in Canseco's tell-all book that those long balls might have been chemically aided, but the Oakland duo known as the Bash Brothers still excited many fans in their heyday.

Frank Thomas had a Hall of Fame career as one of the most accomplished hitters of his era. His nickname "The Big Hurt" is a nod to his huge mass and powerful, though it doesn't do his pure hitting ability justice. Thomas was also a career .301 hitter in addition to his 521 home runs.

For all of time, there might not be a more loved player in Boston than Big Papi, David Ortiz. The designated hitter was as clutch as they come, helping end the long World Series drought in Boston to win three World Series, but his enthusiasm and exuberance on the field would have made him a fan favorite even if he didn't have a Hall of Fame career. 

One of the most intimidating and talented pitchers ever, The Big Unit was truly unique. Standing rail thin at 6-foot-10, Johnson threw upper-90s fastballs and wicked sliders before high-90s velocity was a common skill in MLB. An all-time great, Johnson won five Cy Young Awards in his Hall of Fame career.

Fidrych was nicknamed "The Bird" as a minor leaguer because of his resemblance to Big Bird in Sesame Street, but it turned out to be an appropriate name for a pitcher known for his antics no the mound. He played only five MLB seasons due in party to injury, but made quite an impressive in Detroit from 1976-1980, winning AL Rookie of the Year and finishing second in the Cy Young race in 1976.

Few MLB players have been synonymous with winning like Jeter, who won five World Series in his 20-year career with the Yankees. The shortstop seemed born to play the position in New York, and was the captain of many successful playoff teams in pinstripes.

Nicknamed "Catfish" by Athletics owner Charlie Finley, Hunter had a Hall of Fame career pitching for the A's and Yankees from 1965-1979. His career accolades include five World Series rings and eight All-Star appearances.

Rose left it all on the field, with countless examples of his all-out hustle during a 24-year storied MLB career. The all-time hits leader won three World Series and three Batting Titles, hitting .303 for his career. Still, he's barred from the MLB Hall of Fame after betting on baseball while playing for and managing the Reds.

McGriff had the perfect nickname at the perfect time, paying homage to McGruff the Crime Dog of the 1980s and 1990s. The first baseman had quite a Hall of Fame career, making five All-Star appearances in 19 seasons.

Mattingly had a pure stroke and was elite both as a hitter and defender for the Yankees in his 14-year career. He was a six-time All-Star and won nine Gold Gloves, earning the nickname "Donnie Baseball." Following his playing career, he's had stints as the manager of the Dodgers and Marlins.

Garces was known more for his physique than talent during an MLB career that spanned 10 years. Listed at six feet, 250 pounds, Garces was a particular fan favorite during his seven seasons in Boston from 1996-2002.

Aaron was one of the greatest hitters to ever take the field and long held the career home run record. He still holds the career record for RBI with 2,297 after an accomplished 23-year career, earning the nickname Hammerin' Hank.

Hargrove earned his nickname as The Human Rain Delay for his routine during each at-bat, stepping out of the batter's box to adjust his helmet, gloves, and uniform. The routine wouldn't have survived in today's era of the pitch clock, but he played at the right time from 1974-1985. Following his playing career, Hargrove spent 16 seasons as manager of Cleveland, Baltimore, and Seattle.

One of the most hyped MLB prospects ever, Griffey not only lived up to the hype but also got the opportunity to play with his father early in his career with Seattle. The legendary center fielder earned his Hall of Fame induction with 13 All-Star appearances and 10 Gold Gloves, along with 630 career home runs.

The chubby Sandoval was an excellent pure hitter early in his career with San Francisco and nicknamed the Kung Fu Panda in conjunction with the release of the kid's film. While Sandoval's prime was relatively short, he was a two-time All-Star and won three rings with the Giants.

One of the great characters in the history of pitching, Hrabosky espoused an intimidating demeanor staring down opposing batters as a relief pitcher for the Cardinals, Royals, and Braves. The Mad Hungarian had an excellent 13-year career, with a 3.10 ERA and league-leading 22 saves in 1975.

An apt nickname for the greatest base stealer of them all, Henderson holds the record for most steals in a single season during the modern era (130), as well as the career record of 1,406 stolen bases. The Hall of Famer is also arguably the greatest leadoff hitter ever, with an incredible .401 on-base percentage over 25 seasons.

Jackson earned the nickname Mr. October for shining in the playoffs. He won five World Series in 21 seasons and made playoff appearances in 11 seasons. For his career, Jackson hit .278-18-48 over 318 career playoff plate appearances.

Boyd was a popular player during eight seasons with the Red Sox from 1982-1989, earning the nickname Oil Can for his history of drinking beer where he grew up in Meridian, Mississippi. The right-hander played 10 seasons, winning 78 games with a 4.04 ERA.

Arguably the best pitcher of his era in a 24-year career from 1984-2007, Clemens has a long list of honors that includes seven Cy Young Awards, one MVP, and two World Series. "Rocket" won 354 games with a career 3.12 ERA, playing for four different teams. Clemens was alleged to have used anabolic steroids in the Mitchell Report, according to his former trainer, which has likely kept him out of the Hall of Fame to date.

Perhaps the best closer in MLB history, Rivera made finishing games routine with a record 652 saves during his 19-year career with the Yankees. The Sandman was even more dominant during the playoffs, with an incredible 0.70 ERA and 42 saves over 96 career appearances.

Paige earned the nickname "Satchel" as a child, and it stuck during his incredible professional career in the Negro Leagues and MLB. The Hall of Fame pitcher had a 2.73 career ERA as a pro.

Few baseball players have shown more talent than Mays, who patrolled center field for the Giants over 21 seasons. The Say Hey Kid was an All-Star a whopping 24 times, winning two MVPs and 12 Gold Gloves. He finished his career as a .301 hitter with 660 home runs.

"Shoeless Joe" is unfortunately known best for the Black Sox gambling scandal in which Jackson and seven White Sox teammates were accused of accepting money to throw the 1919 World Series. Jackson was eventually banned from baseball after his outstanding 13-year career as a .356 hitter, but his classic nickname lives on.

Lee earned the nickname "Spaceman" early in his career, an appropriate nickname for his off-color comments and antics during his career. The left-hander played 14 seasons in MLB for Boston and Montreal.

Remembered by many as the best pure hitter in baseball history, the Splendid Splinter has an incredible resume over 19 seasons. He won six Batting Titles, with his first coming in 1941 when he hit .406. Williams finished his career as a .344 hitter and still holds the career on-base percentage record of .482.

Musial was the face of the successful Cardinals franchise during 22 seasons, winning three World Series and three MVPs. He was not only known as one of the best players of his era from 1941-1963, but also a good Samaritan off the field, making his nickname of Stan the Man even more applicable.

Berra earned the nickname "Yogi" early in his historic baseball career, and it stuck throughout his life. He had a Hall of Fame 19-year career, mostly with the Yankees, but is remembered as much for his clever comments or "Yogi-isms.". His most famous sayings include "It ain't over 'til it's over," "it's deja vu all over again," and "ninety percent of the game is half mental."

Smith's nickname was a reference to The Wizard of Oz, but it was fitting with the incredible plays he made on the field during his Hall of of Fame career. The shortstop won 13 Gold Gloves and had multiple clutch hits in the playoffs for the Cardinals.