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. Musial is, to this day, regarded to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. Also known as simply "A.I.," Iverson became known as "The Answer" in his first tour of duty with the Philadelphia 76ers. Chamberlain is still holds the NBA record for points scored in a single game, and the paper he is holding is the number of points he dropped on the New York Knicks in 1962 as a member of the Philadelphia Warriors. Whether they describe physical appearance, a catch phrase, or an extreme and unique ability, these nicknames follow their host, even beyond the grave. Boston's prodigal son, Ortiz has become an icon in Bean Town for his clutch hitting and lovable personality. 23 Other. Jim Browns career in the National Football League only lasted nine seasons, but his impact on the game has lasted through history. 3 - Babe Ruth. Kuko is considered one of the best wingmen to ever play the game, and therefore might be the only man on the planet capable of gettingFranck Ribry a real date. A list of the greatest athletes to wear the number 22 would be incomplete without one of the NHL's most prolific scorers of the late 1970s/1980s. At nine years old, Davis was already 5'6" tall and weighed 160 lbs. 23 in NBA history. Geoffrion was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1972, following a stellar career as a right winger with the Montreal Canadians and New York Rangers. If a player did anything to attract attention to themselves, and not the team, he would be benched. The ability to play both QB and WR gave Stewart the nickname "Slash," as in quarterback/(slash)receiver. Thomas was a dominant hitter and an icon during his playing days with the Chicago White Sox. "The Snake" was a nickname given to him after the likeness of professional wrestler, Jake "The Snake" Roberts. 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. 31.April (Latin origin) meaning "open". In the postseason, no one is more dominant in baseball than Jeter. The moniker became the genesis of a shoe deal Iverson signed with Reebok and became almost an alter-ego for the prolific scoring guard. However, "His Airness" seems to be the most creative, citing his incredible leaping ability. Wooden disapproved so mightily of individual achievement, he wouldn't even allow his players to dunk the ball. 2 - Secretariat. In less than a decade, both MLB catchers will be Hall of Fame members. He stood 6'-and-a-half inches tall and weighed 225 lbs, a very large size in his time. 2. Also called "The Boilermaker," Jeffries was a world heavyweight boxing champion just before the turn of the 20th century. From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames. The Canadian ice hockey legend got his moniker from his thundering slap shot, which was said to echo through stands and arenas like a sonic boom. William Wilson received the nickname "Mookie" as a child, when his mother noticed he was having trouble asking her for more "milk.". Michael Jordan's #23 is the most iconic number in the history of sports. 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). Malone was known for his consistency and durability and for teaming up with a sprightly white guy in short shorts all those years as a member of the Utah Jazz. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Robinson's nickname is derived from his service in the United States Navy. There are those names that just seemsoright. The legendary Boston Red Sox outfielder had many nicknames, such as:"The Kid","Teddy Ballgame," and"The Thumper.". In modern sports, athletes are valuable assets that are the centerpiece of advertising campaigns and the faces of their organizations. 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. As captain of the Yankees, Jeter epitomized the clubs ideals and excelled on the field. News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. In 1993, Williams started wearing the No. He overcame an HIV diagnosis and has continued his success off the court in the business world. The Yankees great still holds the record for consecutive games with at least one hit with a 56-hit streak in 1941. Full list of Olympic athletes, including Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka and Michael Phelps. No list of the best athletes is complete without "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali. 2 Deion Sanders, CB, Florida State (1985-88) Focus on Sport/Getty Images. These numbers can be passed down from one club legend to the next, as the tradition is in soccer. Follow your favourite Olympic heroes on their journey to the games. Simple, yet accurate, this nickname is solid and turned a superb athlete with a common name into a legend. According to Parish, former Celtics forwardCedric Maxwellgave Parish this nickname because of hisstoicnature. "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. Perry was described as "A man in a white jersey resembling a refrigerator coming through the offensive line." Here's a look at 19 of the most famous athletes in the world. No. In 2005, Traylor failed a physical exam (surprise) and has played overseas ever since. Kansas City-Omaha Kings ( 75) Jerry McKee. Eighty-eight years ago this week, the New York Yankees became the first professional sports team to permanently wear numbers on their uniforms. Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd Gordon earned his nickname when he burst on to the scene in 1989 at the age of 21, when he went 17-9 in his first full season in the majors. Legendary NFL players with number 18 jerseys include Peyton Manning, Charlie Joiner, and Emmitt Thomas, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career . Sometimes just called Michael "Air" Jordan, the greatest basketball player to ever live has been called many other things as well. Michael Jordan's best nickname. LINK Famous athletes who wore the number 32: 1. 3 has become a symbol of pride for NASCAR fans everywhere, and he is remembered as being fearless while winning seven Sprint Cup Championships and four IROC Championships in 677 races spanning 27 years. Gabby Douglas, is an American gymnast who became the first African American in Olympic history to win the individual all-around event at the 2012 Summer Games. While attending the University of Michigan, Traylor earned his nickname for his tremendous size, dominance in the paint, and the way "Tractor" just seemed to flow with his last name. Cristiano Ronaldos image is inseparable from his favored #7. Gossage is a nine-time MLB All-Star and won a World Series ring with the 1978 New York Yankees. As far as nicknames go, this one isn't much fun, but at least it's better than "Baby Shaq.". The nickname may not be specific to the Yankees shortstop, but he personifies the alliterative nickname with consistent big hits when needed most. Pro Football Hall of Famers by Jersey Numbers Class of 2004 inductee Bob Brown wore #76 with the Eagles, Rams, and Raiders. 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. Steelers commentator Myron Cope is responsible for Bettis' legacy as "The Bus," noting a Notre Dame teammates' adjective when calling Bettis "Bussy.". Truly the champion of the nickname, Ruth is also the symbol of achievement in our nation's greatest past-time. 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. The best of the bunch is Brown, who is a name from the past. 3 He was known as the 'Splendid Splinter' and is considered one of baseball's greatest hitters. He was part of the Brazilian national teams that won three World Cup championships (1958, 1962, and 1970). Jackson hit home runs in Game 4 and Game 5 of the Series. History, conspiracies and Jordan: Why 23 is sport's most legendary number Three sports, three icons, all No.23. Along with Aaron's power, his longevity also is worth noting. Photo: Wikimedia Commons. The switch worked because Magic and the Showtime Lakers won the NBA Title in 1980 and would go on to win four more before the end of Magics career. When the Bears needed a short yardage gain, there was "The Fridge," banging through the line and stumbling into the end zone. The World's Most Entertaining Car Website. McCovey got his nickname from his slender-but-tall build. Right after the Bulls and Michael Jordan won the 1991 NBA title, Gatorade la Joel Mason, an Iron River native who was born March 12, 1912 and died Oct. 31, 1995 at the age of 83, was a professional football and basketball player. 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. Twenty-three is the number . (A special thanks to The Sandlot for assisting with this slide), 8Pro Bowlselection (1981,1983,1984,1985,1987,1989,1990,1993), 3 First TeamAll-Proselection (1987,1989,1990), 3 Second Team All-Pro selection (1981,1983,1984), 4Super Bowlchampion (XVI,XIX,XXIII,XXIV). Marino is one of the most prolific passers in the history of the NFL, amassing 61,361 yards during his seventeen seasons in the league. Here are the nicknames of some of the other Olympians. His #99 is retired throughout the NHL, never to be worn by another player again. With more than 36 million social media followers on diverse platforms. He pitched parts of 11 seasons with theMinnesota Twins(1990,1993),Florida Marlins(1995),Chicago Cubs(1995) andBoston Red Sox(1996-2002). This nickname was bound to happen, seeing as how his last name is so closely spelled to "goose," and there were no other candidates that could top it. Fans chose to note his pitching by nicknaming him "The Rocket," for the perception of a rocket mounted on his shoulder, in reference to his arm and the velocity of his pitches. The tall glass of water is a solid shooter, and therefore, the gun jokes just flow. (Featuring @ann76 as Author)", "Wereldtitel Van Dijk met Specialized-Lululemon", "March 31, 2007 Sarasota Herald Tribune article", United States Olympic Committee document confirming Harris's first name (page.44 *.pdf file. Over 75 years after Ruth's professional baseball career ended, he is still regarded as the best baseball player to ever live. Hopkins is known for 51 wins in 59 fights, which include 32 knockouts and one no contest. Magics versatility allowed him to play all five positions on the court, and he earned three MVP Awards in both the regular season and NBA Finals. Robinsons #42 will never be worn by another Major League baseball player. The running back/receiver was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and named to the NFL 1950s All-Decade Team. Douglas, standing at 5' 2", also won . Just as important as his stats to his legacy are the monikers we have come to know and fondly use to remember him. 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. Deion Sanders dazzled the nation as he high stepped into the end zone after interceptions and punt returns, frustrating football purists and giving birth to the moniker Prime Time. His moniker was also his calling card, but these days, it's just his his curse.