Guest Article - "Nicknames"

One of my favorite things about sports, especially baseball, is using nicknames to identify players. Here are some of my favorite Red Sox nicknames. Dick Radatz "the Monster." As the story goes, the 6'5" 250 pounder with a side arm delivery would thrust his arms in the air after successfully saving a game. It appears that Mantle came into the dugout after striking out against Radatz grumbling about a monster. A nickname was born. Don Zimmer "the Gerbil." Given to him by Bill Lee for his big cheeks & stump of a body. Dick Stuart "Dr. Strangeglove." One of the worst fielding first basemen. He could not field a basketball. He did hit 60 home runs while in the minors. George Scott "the Boomer." This describes his swing for the fences technique. Roger Clemens "the Rocket." He had a rocket fastball. Will McDonough, the former Boston Globe writer, had one of the best nicknames for Roger "The Texas Con Man." Steve Lyons "Psycho." Steve dropped his pants in the middle of a game at Tiger Stadium to brush dirt off of his ass. Bill Lee "the Spaceman." A USC graduate known to philosophize about anything & everything, generally making no sense at all. Also a member of the Order of Buffalo Heads with Jim Willoby & Bernie Carbo. Rick Burleson "the Rooster." He looked like a rooster moving his head up & down in anger, cursing and generally intense. Great SS. John Wasdin "Way Back." He often gave up home runs. More to come... (Author - Mike Gaffney)