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. Either way, the nickname stuck, as did the movie. There are so many famous AKAs in the world of sports, and many deserve their place at the top of the heap. The ever-flamboyant star has also had his run-ins with the law but will go down as a tremendous athlete with a killer nickname. Robinson was a six-time All-Star, World Series Champion, and the 1949 National League MVP. How do you rank the best nicknames of all time? Before these famous images went viral, Oscar De La Hoya was boxing's "Golden Boy," a heavy-hitter with a squeaky-clean image. Hardaway was a four-time NBA All-Star, two-time NBA first team selection and NBA All-Rookie first team selection (1994). Of course, talking about wood is also a perfect fit for this career above-average hitter. Sometimes, the new moniker comes from an inside joke with . Right after the Bulls and Michael Jordan won the 1991 NBA title, Gatorade la Nicklaus won 20 major titles before retiring to design golf courses. 105 people from all around the world were asked to name who they thought would be the 'most famous athlete of all time'. This nickname is clever, scores big points for rhyming with the name and personifies Holyfield to the fullest. WIZARDS OF CRICKET. Author: SI Staff. He is best known for his unusual running style, which some say he developed running cross legged over four square cement sidewalk blocks in his home town. Is it still cool to diss her or is it too far gone now? This is one of the most fitting nicknames on the countdown. Manager Alfred Lawson chose to put numbers on his teams jerseys in order for fans to easily identify each of the players. 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. Jeter is an iconic figure from a club renowned for outstanding players and has stood out among the games all-time greats. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his nine NFL seasons, led the league in rushing eight times, and earned four MVP awards. Clyde Drexler. However, soon after signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2007, Plummer announced his retirement, citing his desire to live a more peaceful life. The ability to play both QB and WR gave Stewart the nickname "Slash," as in quarterback/(slash)receiver. He won both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in the 2012 London Olympics. Dennis (Oil Can) Boyd "The Mailman always delivers" was the phrase that followed Malone from his college days until the end of his career and beyond. The nickname "Spider" is a reference to Salley's fear of arachnids, which, according to him, was conquered during his time on the 2009 reality television showI'm a CelebrityGet Me out of Here! "Babe" Ruth: "The Great Bambino/The Sultan of Swat". Rod "He Hate Me" Smart was the shining star of the Vince McMahon's XFL, which lasted all of one season. . His tall and skinny build makes him look like a satchel tree. 79, which is kind of interesting, but a few football players have. As of 1999 . Really? He was also the second most prolific passer in NFL history, with 51,475 career passing yards, despite only leading the NFL in passing yardage once. 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. Here's a little lesson for all you readers out there, confused as to how he loses one finger and only has three remaining. We all know Dizzy and Daffy, Crazy Legs, Shoeless Joe, King James, The Great One and Air Jordan. The thumb is not called a "finger," and therefore doesn't count. 23 in NBA history. These players have left a lasting impression on their respective teams. We even remember his name, as "Babe" Ruth, instead of George Ruth. Rumor has it, the pitcher wanted to return to the majors in 2008 at the tender age of 49, reports the Boston Globe. 1. Dominique Wilkins. Rodman embraced the nickname and fed off the hype. Sometimes just called Michael "Air" Jordan, the greatest basketball player to ever live has been called many other things as well. Clayton Kershaw. In 87 career fights, Camacho has 79 wins (including 38 knockouts) and just five losses with three draws. 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. August 10, 2021 9:00 am. Aaron's nickname epitomizes his performance at the plate. The legend became the Baseball Hall of Famer in 1962. He was a two-time NBA Champion(1994,1995) and member of the1988NBA All-Rookie Team. In his playing days, Jerome was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and a Super Bowl Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XL. 23, even if it was for a short period during his career. The "Golden Bear" moniker given to the famous golfer was the result of Melbourne Age writer Don Lawrencereferring to the "large, strong, and blond" player as the Golden Bear, and the nickname seemed fitting. He was part of the Brazilian national teams that won three World Cup championships (1958, 1962, and 1970). Publish date: May 25, 2009. . Jones is said to have 106 sacks unofficially and is one of the most notorious pass-rushers in the history of the game. No joke here, just a great player and an exceptional man. Boston's prodigal son, Ortiz has become an icon in Bean Town for his clutch hitting and lovable personality. (Trivia time: Which Buls player wore No. Just as important as his stats to his legacy are the monikers we have come to know and fondly use to remember him. But when the band was told they couldn't use his name as their band moniker, they adopted his other nickname and became known as "Pearl Jam," a name that also has rumors to its origins. 5 Best players to wear No. Angel Di Maria currently wears the #7 shirt after his blockbuster transfer deal this summer. Name: Jesse Owens. Hall of Famers by Jersey Number. Whether they describe physical appearance, a catch phrase, or an extreme and unique ability, these nicknames follow their host, even beyond the grave. Comment below!JOIN THE TOTALPROSPORTS TEAM and SUBSCRIBE! Quiz Source Johnson was first dubbed "Magic" while playing Everett High School high as a 15-year-old sophomore. Bettis is certainly a large man, weighing 252lbs while standing only 5'11" tall. Follow your favourite Olympic heroes on their journey to the games. His other famous nickname, "The Yankee Clipper," also deserves a mention on the countdown. Best Athletes by Number: 66-99. "The Human Highlight Film" has got to be one of the coolest nicknames in sport and it was perfect for Dominique Wilkins. Shaun's nickname is born out of obvious connections. Salley was also a co-host for "Best Damn Sports Show Period," alongside Tom Arnold and Chris Rose. Chuck Klien (Philadelphia Phillies) 4. While playing on youth baseball teams, Andre would attack the ball like a hawk, while teammates would shy away. Poor preparation, missing an important detail, or completely offend a certain segment of the audience. Rick Helling (Texas Rangers) 9. Wilkins earned his alias with gravity-defying dunks and prolific scoring. 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. Sanders played professional baseball with theNew York Yankees(19891990),Atlanta Braves(19911994),Cincinnati Reds(19941995, 1997, 2001) andSan Francisco Giants(1995). Also called "Golden Joe"and "Comeback Joe," Joe Montana earned his nickname for his ability to stay calm under pressure and come through in the clutch with key passes and throwing accuracy. Derek Lowe (Boston Red Sox) 6. Maravich earned his nickname in high school, from his habit of shooting the ball from his hip, as if firing a revolver. The World Golf Hall of Fame member is a legend in the game, and his "Golden Bear" moniker has led to many endorsements and products that "bear" his name. 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. Elway possessed an uncanny ability to lead his teams to victory when they trailed late in games. Muhammad Ali. Each sprin 4 in assists and Nash, another who wore No. Surprisingly, no one calls him "Kazaam," but that could be because they are afraid of being sit on by a 7'1", 325 lb man. He became known as "The Ryan Express" when he came into games because of his fastball that easily topped 100 mph on a routine basis. Load," and "Round Mound of Touchdown," in reference to one of Charles Barkley's many monikers. Childhood friend and neighbor, Wilber Hines, said he gave Paige the nickname after he was caught trying to steal a bag. When the Reading Red Roses took the field in 1907, they changed sports history forever. 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. Birth Country: United States. 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. 99 for years because of an admiration for the football playerMark Gastineau, who also wore No. . 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. 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). Twenty-three is the number . 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. 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. This list rewards creativity, and while Ali is the greatest boxer ever, his nickname isn't the most creative moniker in sports. James has worn different numbers throughout his career but is probably tied together most with the number 23. But we know him best for the TV personality aspect. The obvious alliteration is a testament to his power-hitting prowess and home run tally as a player. > All Players To Wear Number 23. His #32 has been retired by the Cleveland Browns. 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. An eight-time Pro Bowl . As if the Venezuelan pitcher needs any more names,Garcs' tongue-in-cheek nickname is a poke at his stature, and friends and teammates commonly refer to him by his moniker. The NBA big man grew up in the small community ofGans, Okla., and attended Oklahoma State University. the bat to Trumper. Edson Arantes do Nascimento (Brazilian Portuguese: [ds(w) atiz du nasimtu]; 23 October 1940 - 29 December 2022), better known by his nickname Pel (Portuguese pronunciation: ), was a Brazilian professional footballer who played as a forward.Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, he was among the most successful and popular sports figures of the 20th . While sporting the #66, he helped the Penguins lift the Stanley Cup twice, won three Hart Trophies, and earned six Art Ross Trophies as the leagues leading scorer. Howe is a PR dream, the face of the NHL and a legend in the realm of professional hockey. Also called "The Boilermaker," Jeffries was a world heavyweight boxing champion just before the turn of the 20th century. Jordans incredible career has inspired hundreds of athletes to wear #23, including LeBron James. No. Lemieux also overcame Hodgkins Lymphoma, which caused him to miss the entire 1994-95 season. 22: Joey Bats (Jose Bautista) Bautista once did a very funny sketch that was a version of the baseball bat scene in "The Untouchables." These two sisters dominate women's tennis, changing the sport from one of finesse and skill into one characterizing violent power. Kirilenko's nickname is fairly obvious but still cool because it's the same as the name of a firearm. He then cemented his status as a hockey legend when he secured ownership of the Penguins and stopped them from moving to Kansas City. A 7'1" tree with more nicknames than points per game (4.0 career average), Joel Przybilla is a force to be reckoned with; if mostly in the Name Hall of Fame. 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. His legacy will live on in college basketball and the hearts of his students forever. Nicklaus earned the nickname at an early age because of his shock of blond hair and stout build. Our most famous number in sports is the former NBA player Michael Jordan's number 23. Vande Velde's View: My ability to discern "Pioneers of American Motorcycle Racing, Chapter 5", "NSMB.e.MAGAZINE Freeride, Extreme and North Shore style Mountain Biking", "The King of BMX. McCovey got his nickname from his slender-but-tall build. A power reliever, he put his full weight behind every pitch, so that he dropped hard to the right, sometimes falling off the mound. The Neon legend was born in Tallahassee, where Sanders was a two-time consensus All-America, and a Jim Thorpe . The long red locks flowing from his helmet while he seems impenetrable by gravity seems to make this nickname non-inventive, but still a perfect fit. He retired with the most wins of any quarterback in NFL history (which would later be broken by Favre, Brady, and Manning). In 1993, Williams started wearing the No. He was a larger than life figure that was known for crushing home runs and winning seven World Series titles. "The Great One" is the simplest way to describe his talents, although a more creative moniker would gain more points. His moniker was given to him by teammates for his dribbling skills and ability to go "coast-to-coast," covering the entire floor from a rebound on defense to a layup on the other end. Kukowas a member of the Chicago Bulls dynasty of the late '90s, where he gained his nickname for his superb play and country of origin. That brings his total annual income to roughly $80 million. But those come from the big four traditional sports: baseball, football, basketball and hockey. As far as nicknames go, this one isn't much fun, but at least it's better than "Baby Shaq.". Fracisco Cordova (Pittsburg Pirates) 8. Jerry Rice is unquestionably the greatest wide receiver in the history of the NFL. He retired as the all-time leader in goals scored with 894 and holds the all-time lead in assists with 1,963. The nickname may not be specific to the Yankees shortstop, but he personifies the alliterative nickname with consistent big hits when needed most. The iconic hitter earned the nickname "The Flying Dutchman" in his playing days for his speed and nationality. The league quirky tweaks of NFL rules, including a mad dash to midfield to gain possession of the ball, rather than a kickoff. . Why he's here: When you start to look through MLB records for switch-hitters, you begin to put Beltran's stellar career in perspective. 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