Answer: Derek Jeter
One of my favorite athletes of all time is Derek Jeter, not because he is the anti-Alex Rodriguez, but because his play and his sportsmanship are an example for everyone to follow. He played for 20 years for the New York Yankees and was nicknamed "Captain Clutch"; after 9/11, World Series play was delayed until November, giving Jeter yet another nickname. Reggie Jackson was called "Mr. October" because of his successful hitting in World Series games played in October. Lou Gehrig was dubbed "The Iron Horse" before he was ironically stopped by ALS. Willie Mays was "The Say Hey Kid".
From Quiz: Athletes' Nicknames
Answer: Jack Nicklaus
Nicklaus earned the nickname at an early age because of his shock of blond hair and stout build. Nicklaus won 20 major titles before retiring to design golf courses.
From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames
Answer: Ted Williams
Williams was the last hitter in the 20th century to hit .400 for a season, having turned the trick in 1941 with an average of .406. Enshrined not only in Cooperstown, Williams is also an inductee in the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in Dania Beach, Florida.
From Quiz: Classic Sport Nicknames
Answer: Harold Grange
In 2008, he was named the greatest college football player of all time by ESPN.
When sportscaster Chris Berman was interviewing former coach George Halas, Berman asked him who was the greatest running back he ever saw:
Halas: "That would be Red Grange."
Berman: "If Grange were playing today, how many yards do you think he'd gain?"
Halas: "About 750, maybe 800 yards."
Berman: "Well, 800 yards is just okay."
Halas: "Son, you must remember one thing. Red Grange is 75 years old."
From Quiz: Athletes Nicknames
Answer: Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Earnhardt, who died in February 2001 in a race at Daytona, was rumored to be able to "see the air". He won 7 Winston Cup championships during his career.
From Quiz: Sports Nicknames
Answer: Nate Archibald
'Tiny' is the only player to lead the league in scoring (34.0) and assists (11.4) in the same year, accomplished during the 72-73 season while playing for the Kansas City-Omaha Kings.
From Quiz: Hall of Fame Nicknames
Answer: Ted Williams
Ted Williams was a legendary baseball player who played for the Boston Red Sox for his entire career. He earned the nickname "The Splendid Splinter" due to his slender build and powerful swing. Williams was known for his incredible batting skills and was the last player to hit over .400 in a single season, achieving this feat in 1941. He also served in both World War II and the Korean War, interrupting his baseball career to do so. Williams was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966.
From Quiz: Nicknames of Sports Heroes Volume 2
Answer: Red Grange
Red Grange, also known as "The Galloping Ghost," was a legendary American football player who played for the University of Illinois and the Chicago Bears in the 1920s. He earned the nickname "The Wheaton Iceman" during his high school years in Wheaton, Illinois, where he was known for his cool demeanor and ability to perform under pressure. Grange was one of the first football players to become a national celebrity, and his success on the field helped to popularize the sport in the United States.
From Quiz: Nicknames of Sports Heroes Volume 1
Answer: Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor
Kareem also played as Lew Alcindor when he started in basketball.
From Quiz: Men In Sports: Nicknames
Answer: Walter Payton
Payton got the nickname "Sweetness" in college (Jackson State University), although the origin is uncertain. It could have been from his nice-guy personality, his athletic grace, or his deceptive playing style. He was especially renown for his "stutter-step," a high-stepping, irregularly paced run, which might have been described as "sweet." He was a first-round pick in the NFL draft of the Chicago Bears in 1975 and played for Coach Mike Ditka. In 1993 Payton was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
From Quiz: Sports Nicknames
Answer: Bob Pettit
Big Blue would lead the St. Louis Hawks to their only NBA championship.
From Quiz: Player Nicknames
Answer: Lando Norris
Kimi Raikkonen was one of the longest-lasting Formula 1 drivers of all time, and until 2022 he had driven the most combined distance from all his F1 races of any F1 driver ever. He retired at the end of the 2021 season. He has a calm, unperturbed demeanor, on and off the track. He was also an amazing race driver, winning the Formula 1 drivers championship in 2007, driving for Ferrari. He was the ultimate "iceman."
Similarly, Scott Dixon is a cool and calm racer in the IndyCar Series. The New Zealander has won the IndyCar championship six times (as of 2022) and is the 2008 winner of the Indianapolis 500. He too is nicknamed the Iceman.
And in NASCAR, Terry Labonte, a Texan by birth, competed in various NASCAR series an incredible 36 years, from 1978 to 2014 (though 2004 was his last year of full time racing). He is a two-time NASCAR champion and a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. One story of how he got the Iceman nickname is that he posed on a large block of ice for a sponsor photo shoot.
Lando Norris is a Formula 1 driver for McLaren as of 2022 and has not been given the Iceman nickname.
From Quiz: Nicknames of Some Well-Known Athletes
Answer: Charlie Hustle
Pete Rose was a former professional baseball player, mostly for the Cincinnati Reds. He played from 1963 to 1986, and was a manager from 1984 to 1989. He was called "Charlie Hustle" because he didn't let anyone or anything stand in the way of his winning, including some very nasty slides into second base to break up double plays. He was removed from baseball after it was discovered he put bets down on the games. He won three World Series, three batting titles, one MVP award, two Gold Gloves, Rookie of the Year and made 17 All-Star appearances. "Big Papi" is David Ortiz (Boston); "The Big Hurt" is Frank Thomas (White Sox); "Georgia Peach" was Ty Cobb (Detroit).
From Quiz: Athletes' Nicknames
Answer: James J. Corbett
Corbett (1866-1933) earned the nickname for his pleasant manners and stylish dress. He beat John L. Sullivan for the heavyweight title in 1892 and lost it to Bob Fitzsimmons in 1896.
From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames
Answer: Minnesota Vikings
Helping the Vikings to three Super Bowls in four years, the Purple People Eaters included NFL Hall of Famers Alan Page at tackle and Carl Eller at end. Other members were end Jim Marshall and tackle Gary Larsen, as well as Doug Sutherland, who replaced Larson in the mid-1970s.
From Quiz: Classic Sport Nicknames
Answer: Deion Sanders
Sanders, also known as "Neon Deion", is widely regarded as one of the best players in NFL history. He won the Super Bowl with both the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys.
From Quiz: Athletes Nicknames
Answer: Rich Gossage
The Goose was known for his fu-manchu mustache. He played for 22 seasons and retired in 1994.
From Quiz: Sports Nicknames
Answer: Ty Cobb
Considered one of the greatest players in the game. Did you know he lead the league in home runs in 1909 with 9 while playing for the Detroit Tigers.
From Quiz: Hall of Fame Nicknames
Answer: Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus is known as the Golden Bear, a nickname he earned due to his blonde hair and his alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes, whose colors are scarlet and gray, similar to a golden bear. Nicklaus is considered one of the greatest golfers of all time, with 18 major championships to his name. He also has a record six Masters victories and is the only player to have won all four major championships at least three times each. Nicklaus was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and has since become a successful golf course designer.
From Quiz: Nicknames of Sports Heroes Volume 2
Answer: Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull, also known as The Golden Jet, was a Canadian ice hockey player who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets during his career. He was known for his incredible speed and powerful slapshot, which helped him become one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history. Hull won two Hart Trophies and three Art Ross Trophies during his career, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1983. His nickname, The Golden Jet, was given to him by a Chicago sportswriter who was impressed by his speed and blonde hair.
From Quiz: Nicknames of Sports Heroes Volume 1
Answer: Walker Smith
Sugar Ray Robinson was a professional middleweight and welterweight fighter.
From Quiz: Men In Sports: Nicknames
Answer: Babe Ruth
George Herman Ruth, Jr. (his birth name) got his start in pro baseball in 1914 when he was signed at age 19 by the Baltimore Orioles (then a minor-league team) for the princely sum of $250 a month ($5,500 in 2010 dollar terms). The nickname "Babe" came from his new teammates, who called him "Jack's newest babe" (Jack Dunn was the owner and manager of the Orioles). He was traded in 1914 to the Boston Red Sox (as a pitcher), and they traded him in 1919 to the NY Yankees for $100,000 ($1,100,000 in 2010 dollars). The nickname "Bambino" came from the Italian word for "babe." Ruth was also known as the "Sultan of Swat" (by then he was a ferocious slugger).
From Quiz: Sports Nicknames
Answer: Mickey Mantle
Pretty good when a Hall-of-Famer replaces another Hall-of-Famer...Joe DiMaggio. That's the Yankees for you.
From Quiz: Player Nicknames
Answer: Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson, one of the most dynamic playmakers in modern National Basketball Association (NBA) history, was an 11-time NBA All-Star, the 2001 NBA Most Valuable Player, the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1997, and a member of the NBA 75th Anniversary team. Iverson attended Georgetown University and was drafted first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers. He's been nicknamed "Bubba Chuck" and "AI," but the one that he is most well known by is The Answer. It's somewhat uncertain how he got that nickname. A friend claims he gave Iverson the idea, but it's not clear that that is the original source of the name. Many people just assume it means he was "the answer" to the problems the 76ers were having producing good seasons.
From Quiz: Nicknames of Some Well-Known Athletes
Answer: Randy Johnson
"The Big Unit" was the epithet given to left-handed pitcher Randy Johnson who played for 6 teams from 1988-2009, primarily with the Seattle Mariners and Arizona Diamondbacks. Johnson was 6 feet 10 inches tall, which could explain the nickname. His strikeout record (4,875) put him in second place behind Nolan Ryan. As for the other choices, Ryan ("The Ryan Express") played with the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, etc; Tom Seaver ("Tom Terrific") pitched for the Mets, etc; Greg Maddux ("Mad Dog") played for the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs, etc.
From Quiz: Athletes' Nicknames
Answer: Ty Cobb
Cobb was born in the state of Georgia, The Peach State, hence the name. Arguably the greatest baseball player of all time, he posted a career batting average of .367. At one time, he held 123 baseball records. He played for the Tigers and Athletics.
From Quiz: American Sports Nicknames
Answer: Larry Bird
In the classic NCAA National Championship Basketball game of 1979, Bird and the Sycamores fell to Magic Johnson and Michigan State. The two would renew their rivalry for several years in the NBA, Bird with the Celtics and Johnson with the Lakers.
From Quiz: Classic Sport Nicknames
Answer: Nails
Dykstra played for both the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies. In the minors in 1983, he led the Carolina League in at-bats, runs, hits, triples, batting average, and stolen bases.
From Quiz: Athletes Nicknames
Answer: Earl Campbell
Campbell grew up in Tyler, Texas, which was dubbed the "Rose Capital of America" due to its prominence in the rose growing industry. Campbell not only won the Heisman trophy while with the Texas Longhorns (1977), but he also won the NFL Most Valuable Player award in 1979.
From Quiz: Athletic Nicknames
Answer: Walter Payton
Walter's nickname was derived from his unique combination of power and elusiveness; and his kindness and generosity. He was the feature back during the Bears 1985 Super Bowl championship.
From Quiz: Sports Nicknames
Answer: Ernie Banks
Mr. Cub was the first National Leaguer to win the MVP in consecutive years, acheived in '58 and again in '59. He was always willing to 'Play Two' in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.
From Quiz: Hall of Fame Nicknames
Answer: Wilt Chamberlain
Standing at 7'1", Wilt Chamberlain was a dominant force in basketball during his career in the 1960s and 70s. He earned the nickname "The Stilt" due to his towering height and impressive wingspan, which allowed him to score and rebound with ease. Chamberlain set numerous records throughout his career, including scoring 100 points in a single game, a feat that has yet to be matched. He was also known for his off-court pursuits, including acting and music, and was a vocal advocate for civil rights.
From Quiz: Nicknames of Sports Heroes Volume 2
Answer: Babe Ruth
Babe Ruth was a legendary baseball player who played for the New York Yankees from 1920 to 1934. He was known for his incredible hitting ability and was one of the most dominant players of his time. Ruth's nickname, "The Sultan of Swat," was given to him because of his powerful swing and ability to hit home runs. He held the record for the most home runs in a season (60) for 34 years and is still considered one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
From Quiz: Nicknames of Sports Heroes Volume 1
Answer: Ed Jones
Ed 'Too Tall' Jones stood 6' 9' and was an all-star defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys. He went into pro boxing on national television in 1979 and won, then added five more wins before returning to the gridiron. Like Rocky Marciano, 'Too Tall' retired undefeated.
From Quiz: Harder Sports Nicknames
Answer: Jesse Owens
Jesse Owens was a great Olympic athlete in 1936.
From Quiz: Men In Sports: Nicknames
Answer: Muhammad Ali
Cassius Clay (his birth name) won the gold medal in light-heavyweight boxing at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and soon afterwards turned pro. He won the world pro heavyweight crown in 1964 by defeating Sonny Liston. In 1964 he joined the Nation of Islam and took the name Muhammad Ali. He had a huge ego and loved to refer to himself, to reporters in prefight hype, as the greatest boxer that had ever lived. The nickname stuck. The catch phrase "float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" was one of his favorite claims. He was also called "The Louisville Lip" (his hometown) because of his non-stop prefight bragging and hype.
From Quiz: Sports Nicknames
Answer: Minnie Minoso
Minnie is one of two who played in five decades. He was one of the most exciting ball players who ever played---just my opinion.
From Quiz: Player Nicknames
Answer: Karl Malone
You can probably guess the meaning of this nickname. His consistently excellent performance on the basketball court led people to say he "always delivers," and thus he was "the Mailman." Deliver he did: he was a two-time National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player, a 14-time NBA All-Star, and a two-time NBA All-Star Game MVP. He won two Gold Medals with the United States Olympic Team, and was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. He is regarded as one of the best power forwards to ever play professional basketball.
From Quiz: Nicknames of Some Well-Known Athletes
