Emma Radebaugh
Baseball has been around for well over 100 years and has given rise to some of the greatest nicknames ever. Where would the world be without such classic names as “Oil Can” Boyd, “Catfish” Hunter, and “Razor” Shines? The player’s names listed here are on their birth certificates and were given by their parents. They’ll have you wondering just what their family was thinking.
Cal McLish (RHP)
1944-1964
Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds
The legend of Calvin Coolidge Julius Caesar Tuskahoma McLish is that his father named him after not being able to name any of the six previous children, and he took advantage of the opportunity.
Urban Shocker (RHP)
1916-1928
New York Yankees
He had 4 consecutive 20-win seasons and was the last Yankees pitcher to legally be allowed to throw a spitball.
Johnny Dickshot (OF)
1936-1946
Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, New York Giants
He called himself “the ugliest man in baseball,” which he may have self-proclaimed to draw attention away from his last name, and it earned him the official nickname of “ugly.” He threw out the first pitch at the new Comiskey Park in 1994 and is also the grandfather of actor John Ducey.
Dick Pole (RHP)
1973-1978
Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners
Richard “Dick” Henry Pole had a more notable career as a pitching coach than as a player. Hall of Famer Greg Maddux credited Pole as a major influence on his career.
Wonderful Monds III (OF)
1993-2000
Atlanta Braves
His full name is Wonderful Terrific Monds III (the third!?). His dad played in the NFL under the same name, too! Even though his career at the Big Show was short, he should still be in the Hall of Fame.
Milton Bradley (DH/OF)
2000-2011
Montreal Expos, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, L.A. Dodgers, Oakland A’s, Seattle Mariners
This volatile player was no game. He was suspended multiple times, once for throwing a bottle at fans and once for flipping off the stands, leaving behind an infamous mark on the game.
Rusty Kuntz (OF)
1979-1985
Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers
Russel will be the first to tell you that it’s pronounced Koontz. He went back to baseball as a coach after briefly working for UPS after he retired.
Orval Overall (RHP)
1905-1913
Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs
Overall holds the record for the most strikeouts in a World Series game, 10, which has stood for 108 years. He, strangely, went onto become a bank manager after his baseball career.
Antonio Bastardo (LHP)
2007-2014
Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks
Born in Dominican Republic, his full name is Antonio Francisco Bastardo Rafael. He had a decent career as a bullpen man.
Granny Hamner (SS/2B)
1944-1962
Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City A’s
Born Granville Wilbur Hamner, Granny hammered opposing pitchers on his way to three All-Star game appearances and one World Series.
John Wockenfuss (IF)
1974-1985
Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies
Also known for his unusual batting stance where he stood with his back to the pitcher, Cubs broadcaster Harry Carry liked to say Wockenfuss’s name backwards during broadcasts, “ssufnekcow.”
