Robinson's nickname is derived from his service in the United States Navy. Famous for wearing the number 23 jersey throughout the entirety of his career, Murphy achieved much while playing, including . Barkley had a stellar professional basketball career and continues to be a force on the celebrity sports scene. Another aspect of the game that set it apart from traditional American football were the names on the back of the jerseys. In less than a decade, both MLB catchers will be Hall of Fame members. Over the course of his prolific career, he wore the #80 for three different teams, but is best remembered for wearing it in the red and gold of the San Francisco 49ers. While Wilt's playing career and infamous personal dealings with women are the stuff of legend, his nickname seems a little weak for his accolades. 33 his college number in his lone year alongside . "Joltin' " refers to his speed and ability to get a jump on the ball off the bat in the outfield and his smart baserunning abilities. 1. Nash led the league in assists five times. The amount of spin generated by the mangled bones and missing pieces of his dominant hand had great effects and led to Brown's legendary moniker. Not only is Wei a three-time Olympic silver medalist, he is also the first badminton player to have kept the #1 world ranking for three years. Iconic NBA players with number 23 jerseys include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career highlights are among the greatest moments in basketball history. Oh yeah, he also played basketball for five NBA teams in 15 years and won four NBA championships with three different teams. 2 - Secretariat. HIGHLAND PARK, IL - OCTOBER 21: A gate with the number 23 controls access to the home of basketball legend Michael Jordan on October 21, 2013 in Highland Park, Illinois. mark reinstein/Shutterstock. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1980s, before he was dealt in a blockbuster deal to the Los Angeles Kings. The thumb is not called a "finger," and therefore doesn't count. In true legendary boxer style, Ali gave himself the nickname "The Greatest," but also deserves it. There have been many outstanding athletes to dawn the number 23. The best of the bunch is Brown, who is a name from the past. Athletes have been blessed with some inventive and fun nicknames. 5. These numbers can be passed down from one club legend to the next, as the tradition is in soccer. Jordan is widely considered to be the greatest basketball player of all-time, with six NBA titles, five MVP awards, and fourteen All-Star Game appearances. Also called "The Baddest on the Planet," Mike Tyson won his first 19 professional bouts by knockout12 of them occurring in the first round. Paige is considered one of the best pitchers to play baseball, and it is a crying shame he didn't get a chance to enter the Major Leagues sooner than he did. Orenthal James was shortened to O.J., which is an acronym shared by "Orange Juice," and there you have it. The best player on the greatest dynasty in professional sports was Bill Russell. 1. BATS THAT THEY HAVE WIELDED E. MAYNE'S PRICELESS COLLECTION The Stradivarius to Kreisler . 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. He used the technique of crouching with his left arm out to fight opponents, and experienced many successes. There's no inventive story here: "Dr. J" was given to Julius Erving by a high school friend, who watched him play and likened his smoothness with the ball and ability to score like the precision of a doctor performing surgery. Truly the champion of the nickname, Ruth is also the symbol of achievement in our nation's greatest past-time. From popular baby names to more rare ones, choosing a name from this list is a great choice for sporty girls. > All Players To Wear Number 23. Sorry Derek Jeter fans, but Big Red was the best thoroughbred race horse of all-time. Aside from the final stop of his football career in Baltimore, he wore #21 for his other four teams. Smith spent 11 years in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings (19871990),Atlanta Hawks(1990),Houston Rockets(19901996),Detroit Pistons(1996),Orlando Magic(19961997) andDenver Nuggets(1997). 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. 13, is right above him at the No. After becoming a standout at Arizona State University, Jake Plummer was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals and would go on to play for the Denver Broncos. When he was younger, Bryant agreed to wrestle a captive bear, and the nickname was given to him by his siblings (Paul was the 11th of 12 children). No. Clyde Drexler. 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. Michael Jordan's #23 is the most iconic number in the history of sports. 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. "The Mailman always delivers" was the phrase that followed Malone from his college days until the end of his career and beyond. Salley was also a co-host for "Best Damn Sports Show Period," alongside Tom Arnold and Chris Rose. However, many athletes remain inseparable from their on-field persona and the uniform that they wear. The defensive back has become known for two things: His "bump-and-run" coverage on receivers that earned him the nickname "Molester" for the brutal way he treated receivers coming off the line of scrimmage and for using Stick 'Em on his hands before the league banned the substance and named the rule after Hayes. After nearly 14 seasons with the Seattle SuperSonics, the team traded him to the Bucks for the remainder of the 2003 season. Ranker Sports. Elway retired following two consecutive Super Bowl wins and appeared in five Super Bowls. The obvious nickname is the third generation of his birth name. The legendary Boston Red Sox outfielder had many nicknames, such as:"The Kid","Teddy Ballgame," and"The Thumper.". During and following his boxing career, Tyson is known for his unusual and often frightening quotes and taunts and also several run-ins with law enforcement. The injury was a blessing in disguise, actually giving him an edge on the mound. Mo Farah. He is the most dominating boxer in the history of the sport and is synonymous with boxing legend. The NBA big man grew up in the small community ofGans, Okla., and attended Oklahoma State University. He appeared in six postseasons with the Dodgers (1949, 195253, 195556, 1959), facing theNew York Yankeesin the first five and theChicago White Soxin the final. Toggle the table of contents . The nickname comes from Wilt's height and slender build and the obvious rhyming of his first name. McCovey got his nickname from his slender-but-tall build. 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. Birth State: Alabama. In this sport, Lee Chong Wei sits on the throne. Musial is, to this day, regarded to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. Most recently, Suarez brought the shirt some disgrace with his on-field antics, but he also helped Liverpool mount their best title challenge in over a decade. Thomas was a dominant hitter and an icon during his playing days with the Chicago White Sox. "Three Fingers" Brown was able to throw many pitches that could not be achieved by a man with a full hand. . Although Williams' long mullet locks are long gone, the moniker follows him wherever he goes. It has been said that he could run 100 yards in 10 seconds and high jump over six feet. Naim Sleymanolu (Weightlifting)- Pocket Hercules. So, Jordan divided it in half and wore #23. He was part of the Brazilian national teams that won three World Cup championships (1958, 1962, and 1970). He holds the world record for 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 100 metres relay and is the only sprinter to win Olympic 100 m and 200 m titles at three consecutive Olympics (2008, 2012 and 2016). Payton is no exception and quickly garnered the nickname "Sweetness" for his ability to make plays, and slide through the defense with ease. Payton's defense is the stuff of NBA legend. 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. It has been said that Floyd actually fell asleep several times during games in his career, and his hooded eyelids certainly didn't help refute the claims. It's actually a powerful testament to Jordan's greatness that simply shortening his first name . 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. 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. With more than 36 million social media followers on diverse platforms. Best Athletes by Number: 66-99. Penny has attributed his successes in life to his grandma, who raised him up as a child while his mother was away working. For the fourth year running, Cristiano Ronaldo took the crown as the world's most famous sporting icon in ESPN's World Fame 100. 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. "Go ask Mister October", he said, giving Jackson a nickname that would stick. Jerry Rice is unquestionably the greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL. 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. Jeter is an iconic figure from a club renowned for outstanding players and has stood out among the games all-time greats. Legendary NFL players with number 18 jerseys include Peyton Manning, Charlie Joiner, and Emmitt Thomas, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career . Either way, the nickname is very fitting of one of the most dominant strike-out pitchers the game has ever seen. He still embraces the persona of the Rock to this day, and the nickname is too perfect. The big man also played for the USA Basketball team, was a two-time NBA Champion, won the NBA MVP in 1995 and was a 10-time NBA All-Star. "The Human Highlight Film" has got to be one of the coolest nicknames in sport and it was perfect for Dominique Wilkins. Folklore legend has it Hardaway's nickname came as a result of his grandmother's southern accent when calling him "Pretty," thus coming out as "Penny.". Dominique Wilkins. The legend became the Baseball Hall of Famer in 1962. There are those names that just seemsoright. He pitched parts of 11 seasons with theMinnesota Twins(1990,1993),Florida Marlins(1995),Chicago Cubs(1995) andBoston Red Sox(1996-2002). 2 2. A six-time NBA All-Star broke into the league in 1989 with the Seattle SuperSonics and got his nickname, according to Wikipedia.org: "after Sonics announcerKevin Calabrosaw a poster with the name and found it fitting to add to his radio broadcasts.". Aside from being a vegan, Salley is known for several other odd mannerisms and goofy antics. George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo have all sported the #7 during their successful exploits with the club. Can you imagine trying to pass through airport security with his full name on a passport? He then cemented his status as a hockey legend when he secured ownership of the Penguins and stopped them from moving to Kansas City. "When he joined the Cubs, his extravagant wind-up and release and his frequent wild pitches inspiredWrigley Fieldorganists to playThe Troggs'Wild Thingas he came out of the bullpen. Muhammad Ali. https://goo.gl/tX6CcK-~-~~-~~. The left-handed hitting slugger is the current face of the Boston Red Sox franchise and spent many years in a potent lineup with Manny Ramirez. Glen Davis was a big kid. 105 people from all around the world were asked to name who they thought would be the 'most famous athlete of all time'. The countdown has begun for when the New York Yankees will retire the #2 of their recently retired shortstop, Derek Jeter. . 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. Jon Lieber (Chicago Cubs) 7. One look at the high-flying X-Games star, and it's easy to see why he is called "The Flying Tomato.". Not every player to wear the #7 has found success with the club, but it has been donned by icons that have had a lasting impact on the beautiful game. Maravich earned his nickname in high school, from his habit of shooting the ball from his hip, as if firing a revolver. Childhood friend and neighbor, Wilber Hines, said he gave Paige the nickname after he was caught trying to steal a bag. Michael Jordan's #23. He has worn the iconic #7 for Manchester United as well as the Portuguese National Team and his current club Real Madrid. The Nigerian giant stood 7-feet tall and weighed 255 pounds in his playing days. 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. Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." In the power categories, it's . Bettis is certainly a large man, weighing 252lbs while standing only 5'11" tall. 99. Return to Top; Players. With arguably the most famous nickname in the history of media, Dwayne Johnson is built like a rock and wrestled like a rock. Whether they describe physical appearance, a catch phrase, or an extreme and unique ability, these nicknames follow their host, even beyond the grave. He is a nine-time NBA All-Star, was the NBA scoring champion in 1986 and won two dunk contests (1985, 1990). He collided with teammate Tim Raines, and other teammates shouted, "You're a big unit.". He built a contraption out of poles that allowed him to carry more bags than his co-workers. No. By the 1930s numbers on uniforms were standard practice for Major League Baseball teams and were common in other sports like football and hockey. As of 1999 . Brown is widely considered one of the greatest running backs of all time, thanks to his brutal yet elegant rushing style. Leonard Buck (Baseball) 5. He is alsoknown for his 10-year reign asmiddleweightworld champion and setting a record for defending it 20 consecutive times. In 2005, Traylor failed a physical exam (surprise) and has played overseas ever since. The over-sized running back looked like a bus carrying opponents on his back while being dressed in yellow and black. 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. The multi-sport star was perhaps one of the biggest self-promoters the sports world has ever seen but also a very talented individual. "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. Answer: Jack Nicklaus. . New York Mets fans began referring to Dykstra for his "tough-as-nails" approach to the game, and it was later shortened to just "Nails.". The Celtics' big man averaged 22.5 rebounds in his career; between his mastery of the . One of the greatest athletes the United Kingdom has ever produced, Mo is a world famous distance runner. For certain teams, some numbers hold a special place in club lore and the hearts of the fans. Wilkins earned his alias with gravity-defying dunks and prolific scoring. This nickname is clever, scores big points for rhyming with the name and personifies Holyfield to the fullest. Namath's nickname "Broadway Joe" was given him bySherman Plunkett, a Jets teammate. 3 He was known as the 'Splendid Splinter' and is considered one of baseball's greatest hitters. 24 See also. The nickname may not be specific to the Yankees shortstop, but he personifies the alliterative nickname with consistent big hits when needed most. Coincidentally, Roberts adapted his nickname from former Oakland Raiders QB Ken Stabler, who was nicknamed "The Snake" for his ability to slither through opponents when scrambling. Cocaine usage peaked in the United States 1982 with 10.4 million users. Of course, talking about wood is also a perfect fit for this career above-average hitter. 23: Chamberlin, Guy Chamberlin. 10 Tiger Woods Image Credit- PGA Tour. There are many different stories explaining the origin of the "Say Hey" nickname, but the most common descriptions is as follows: When Mays was coming up in the minor leagues, he moved so frequently through the ranks he didn't know very many of his teammates names.

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