BY PATRICK “PACKY” MADER
Staff Writer
Historically, baseball leads the sports world in nicknames of its athletes. They become so much of a player’s persona that many fans never know his real name. Here are five players who fit the bill:
Chili Davis
Charles Theodore Davis was referred to as “Chili” throughout his 19-year Major League Baseball career. The switch-hitting Jamaican got his nickname from childhood friends after getting an unsightly haircut from his father which resembled a chili bowl.
Tito Francona
The 1956 American League runner-up for the Rookie of the Year Award was “Tito” Francona (tied with Rocky Colavito, behind winner Luis Aparicio). Born John Patsy Francona, he was given the nickname as a toddler by his father, a steel worker of Italian descent. The left-handed hitting first baseman-outfielder’s nickname means “little one.” (Tito’s son is long-time big league manager Terry Francona.)
Wahoo Sam Crawford
“Wahoo Sam” Crawford collected 2,961 hits and a lifetime batting average of .309 for the Detroit Tigers. He embraced the nickname because it recognized his hometown of Wahoo, Nebraska, located 50 miles west of Omaha. In fact, Sam requested that his Hall of Fame plaque include his name as “Wahoo Sam.”
Bobo Newsom
Louis Norman Newsom was a workhorse who pitched 3,759 innings during his lengthy career (1929-53). Known as “Bobo” throughout his years in professional baseball, the right-hander may have been a good pitcher, but he did not have a good memory for names. He called his teammates, umpires, and most other people “Bobo” because he couldn’t remember their names. The tables were turned and the nickname was pinned on him.
Hack Wilson
“Hack” Wilson had a remarkable 56 home runs and still-standing MLB record of 190 RBIs in the 1930 season when he was named the National League MVP. While theories vary, it is presumed the stocky 5 foot, 6 inch 190-pound Hall of Fame outfielder got his name because he resembled popular wrestler Georg Hackenschmidt. Another idea is that Lewis Robert Wilson looked like a squat taxicab, called a “hack” in that era.
To see related article: “Nicknames … A Big (and Fun) Part of Baseball” Click Link Here
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Patrick “Packy” Mader has written several books, including two large volumes on Minnesotans who were in the Olympic Games or competed in world competitions. To view hundreds of articles on Minnesota athletes, be sure to visit Packy’s website: MNAthletes.com. (Click Link Here)
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