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Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants — 2014 World Series Champions!

2014 Giants - Mad Bum

Congratulations to the 2014 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, our hometown team, whose parade through downtown San Francisco is happening right now. In honor of this momentous feat — their third Championship in five years! — we’ve updated our very popular blog post, Nicknames and slang of the San Francisco Giants. Check it out, and use the Comments on that post to submit more Giants nicknames that we’ve missed, and we’ll keep adding them. And Happy Halloween!

Nicknames and slang of the Detroit Tigers

Detroit_Tiger_Paul_Dizzy_Trout.
Paul Howard “Dizzy” Trout (June 29, 1915 – February 28, 1972) played for the Detroit Tigers for fourteen seasons, appearing in two World Series, in 1940 and 1945 (in which he had an ERA of 0.66 in the Series).

I heard on the radio this morning an appropriate turn of phrase in lieu of  Justin Verlander’s (“The Monarch”) performance in yesterday’s Game 1 of the World Series, and it goes something like this: The are two types of ball players. Humble ones and those preparing themselves to be humbled.

Origins of the Detroit Tigers name:

There are various legends about how the Tigers got their nickname. One involves the orange stripes they wore on their black stockings. Tigers manager George Stallings took credit for the name; however, the name appeared in newspapers before Stallings was manager. Another legend concerns a sportswriter equating the 1901 team’s opening day victory with the ferocity of his alma mater, the Princeton Tigers. The earliest known use of the name “Tigers” in the news was in the Detroit Free Press on April 16, 1895.

The truth is revealed in Richard Bak’s 1998 book, A Place for Summer: A Narrative History of Tiger Stadium. In the 19th century, the city of Detroit had a military unit called the Detroit Light Guard, who were known as “The Tigers”. They had played significant roles in certain Civil War battles and in the 1899 Spanish-American War. The baseball team was still informally called both “Wolverines” and “Tigers” in the news. Upon entry into the majors the ballclub sought and received formal permission from the Light Guard to use its trademark and from that day forth it is officially the Tigers. In short, the Tigers most likely wore stripes because they were already Tigers, rather than the other way around which is the conventional story.

The “Tigers” name originates from the 19th century military unit that was based in the city and held the same name. They are nicknamed “the Motor City Kitties”, “the Bengals”, and “the Tigs.” (Via Answers.com)

Nicknames, slang and mottoes of the Detroit Tigers

AJax — Austin Jackson

“Always a Tiger” — Team motto

Babe — Woodrow Wilson Davis

Battleship — Lorenzo Edward Gremminger

Bennett Park — Tigers ballpark (1896–1911)

Big Daddy — Cecil Fielder (1st base, 1990–1996)

Big Sam — Sam Thompson (outfilder 1885-1906)

Big Wheel — Lance Parrish (catcher, 1977–1986)

Bip — Leon Joseph Roberts (1998)

Birdie — George Robert Tebbetts

Blackie — James Francis O’Rourke

Black Mike — Gordon Stanley “Mickey” Cochrane (catcher 1937)

“Bless You Boys” — Rally cry coined (in sarcasm) by Al Ackerman, a Detroit sports anchor legend.

Bobo — Lewis Norman Newsom

Boob  — Donald Eric McNair

Boomer — David Wells (pitcher, 1993–1995)

Boots — Cletus Poffenberger

Boulevard Park — Tigers ballpark (1901–1902)

Briggs Stadium — Tigers ballpark (1938–1960) named after plumbing fixture manufacturer Walter Briggs, Sr.

Bucketfoot  — Al Aloysius Harry Simmons

Bumpus  — Elijah Albert Jones

Burns Park  — Tigers ballpark (1901–1902)

Butch  — Donald Martin Kolloway

Chick— Charles King (outfield, 1954–1956)

Chief — Elon Chester Hogsett (pitcher, 1929–1936)

Corktown — is the oldest neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan

“Deee-troit Base-ball!” — A popular rally cry for the Detroit Pistons has also been adapted for the Tigers

Denny — Dennis Dale McLain (the last pitcher in Major League Baseball to win 30 or more games during a season)

Dingle  — Frank Donald Croucher

Dizzy — Paul Howard Trout (pitcher)

“Eat ‘Em Up Tigers! Eat ‘Em Up!” — 1968 rally cry when the Tigers won their third World Series

“Ee-Yah”  — Third base coach Hughie Jennings’ famous saying/shout

Fire Trucks  — Virgil Trucks (pitcher, 1941–1943, 1945–1952, 1956)

Firpo — Frederick Marberry (pitcher, 1933–1935)

Flea — Herman Clifton (infield, 1934–1937)

Gates — William James Brown (outfielder, 1963–1975)

Gee — Gerald Holmes Walker (outfield)

Gonzo — Luis Gonzalez (outfield, 1998)

Goose — Leon Allen Goslin (left field, 1934–1937)

Grandy — Curtis Granderson (outfielder 2005–2009)

Hammerin’ Hank — Hank Greenberg (1st base, outfiled, 1930–1946)

Happy  — Archie Richard McKain

Heini — Henry Emmett Manush (outfield, 1923–1927)

Heinie — George Schuble

Hippity  — John Leonard Hopp

Honolulu  — Johnnie John Brodie Williams

Hook —  Kenneth Wandersee Johnson

Hoot — Walter Evers (outfield, 1941–1952, 1954)

Horse Belly  — Joseph Alexander Sargent

Hotshot  — Edward Joseph Mayo

Hub — Harry Walker

Hurricane  —  Robert Sidney Hazle

Icehouse — George Peacock Wilson

“It’s Gum Time” — 1996 season late-innings rally cry

Jack — John Scott Morris (pitcher)

Jeep  — Donald Henry Heffner

Jo-Jo — Joyner Clifford White

Juan Gone — Juan González (outfield, 2000)

Kickapoo Ed  — Oron Edgar Summers

Kid Rick  —  Rick Porcello

King Kong  — Charles Ernest Keller

King Tut  — Guy Isbell Tutwiler

Legs — Richard Henry Weik

Lima Time — Jose Lima (pitcher, 1994–1996, 2001–2002)

Liz — Elias Funk (infielder, 1930)

Mad Max — Max Scherzer

Miggy, Cabby and or the Big Cat — Miguel Cabrera (infielder, 2007-present)

Mr. Tiger, The Line, 6, Big Al, Mr Perfect, Salty — Al Kaline (outfield, 1953-1974)

Navin Field — Tigers ballpark (1912–1938) named after Francis Joseph Navin principal owner of the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball for 27 years, from 1909 to 1935. He also served as vice president and acting president of the American League.

Nook— Exavier Prente Logan (outfield, 2004–2005)

Nubbin — Wayne Gaffney McLeland

Papa Grande (Spanish for Big Potato) — José Valverde (relief pitcher 2010-present)

Paws — The Tigers mascot

Phoenix  — Joaquin Benoit

Piano Legs — Charles Taylor Hickman

Pichardo — Osvaldo José Virgil (1958, 1960–61)

Pinky — Michael Franklin Higgins (3rd base, 1939–1946)

Plowboy — Tom Stephen Morgan

Prince — Henry Oana (pitcher, 1943–45)

Prince Hal — Hal Newhouser (pitcher 1939-1955)

Pudg or I-Rod — Iván Rodríguez (catcher, 2004–2008)

Red — Jerome Downs

Red — Robert James Wilson

Rip — Raymond Allen Radcliff

Rocky — Everett Lamar Bridges (infield (1959–1960)

Rocky Rocco —  Domenico Colavito (outfield, 1960–1963)

Rowdy Richard — Richard William Bartell

Roxie — Alfred Lawson (pitcher, 1933, 1935–1939)

Rufe — James Ruffus Gentry (pitcher, 1943–48)

Rusty — Daniel Joseph Staub

Sassafras — George Lovington Winter

Satchelfoot — Edwin Lee Wells

Scat — Frank Joseph Metha

Schoolboy — Lynnwood Rowe (pitcher)

Señor Smoke — Aurelio Lopez (pitcher, 1978-1985)

Shoddy — Alfred Shaw

Shotgun — John William Peters

Silver Fox  — Jim Northrup (outfielder, 1964–1974)

Skeeter — William Henry Barnes (infield, outfield, 1983–1994)

Skids — John Joseph Lipon

Sleepy Bill — William Thomas Burns

Slick — George Coffman (pitcher)

Slug — Harry Heilmann (outfielder, 1914, 1916–1929)

Sniper  — Doug Fister

“Sock It To ‘Em, Tigers!” — Rally cry used during the 1968 season

Sparky  — George Lee Anderson (manager, 1979–1995)

Stinky — Harry Albert Davis

Storm — George Earl Davis (pitcher, 1993–1994)

Stormin Norman — Norm Cash

Stubby — Frank Overmire

Submarine — Elden Le Roy Auker

Sweet Lou — Lou Whitaker

The Barranquilla Baby  — Edgar Rentería (2008)

The Bird — Mark Fidrych (pitcher, 1976–1980)

The Chosen One — Drew Smyly

The D-Train — Dontrelle Willis (2008–2010)

The Earl Of Snohomish — Clifford Earl Torgeson

The Georgia Peach  — Tyrus Raymond “Ty” Cobb (outfielder, 1905-1928)

The Mayor — Sean Casey (1st base, 2006–2007)

The Mechanical Man — Charles Leonard Gehringer (second baseman (1924–1942)

The Monarch —  Justin Verlander

The Monster — Richard Raymond Radatz

The Pig — Henry Franklin House

The Roar Of 84 — 1984 World Series Champions

The Tabasco Kid — Norman Arthur Elberfeld

Tiger Stadium — Tigers ballpark (1912–1999)

Tigers — Established in 1894. They are the oldest continuous one-name, one-city franchise in the American League

Tigertown — was the first made-for-TV movie produced for the Disney Channel, produced in 1983 staring Roy Scheider as an aging baseball player for the Detroit Tigers

Tram — Alan Trammell (shortstop, manager, 1977-1996)

Tubby — Frank Bernard Reiber

Twilight Ed — Edwin Henry Killian

UUU — Ugueth Urtaín Urbina Villarreal (2004–2005)

V-Mart — Víctor Martínez (designated hitter, 2011-present)

Whit — John Witlow Wyatt

Wheels — Frank Willis Carswell

“Who’s your Tiger?” — Rally cry (2006–2008)

Wolverines — The Detroit Wolverines were a 19th century baseball team that played in the National League from 1881 to 1888

Yats — George Wuestling (shortstop, 1929–30)

 

 

Nicknames and slang of the San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants logo

In honor of our local team, the San Francisco Giants, and their amazing run to 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series victories, I’ve put together an extensive list of Giants team nicknames, player nicknames and slang, past and present.

UPDATED 8/17/15:

  • Ancient Mariner — Gaylord Perry (1962–1971)
  • Angel In The Outfield — Angel Pagan (2012–Present)
  • Baby Giraffe — Brandon Belt (2011–Present); Giant first baseman who sports a long neck.
  • “Beat LA” — “As common a term as you’ll hear at AT&T park when the Dodgers are in town, the statement refers to the long standing rivalry between the Giants & Dodgers.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Beauty — Dave Bancroft (1920–1923, 1930)
  • Big Daddy — Rick Reuschel (1987–1991)
  • Big Jawn — Johnny Mize (1942, 1946–1949)
  • Big Mac — Willie McCovey (1959–80)
  • Big Six — Christopher “Christy” Mathewson (1900-1916)
  • Big Sugar — Matt Cain (2005–present)
  • Big Time Timmy Jim — Tim Lincecum (2006–Present)
  • Blackbeard — Brian Wilson (2006–2012)
  • Blockbuster — Marco Scutaro (2012–Present)
  • Bochy Ball — “Term associated with Giants Manager Bruce Bochy’s style of managing a team.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Boogie Bear — Kevin Mitchell (1987–1991)
  • Buster — Gerald Dempsey Posey III (2009–Present)
  • “Bye Bye, Baby” — “The home run call of famous Giants announcer, Russ Hodges. Also referenced in the Giants fight song of the 60s, ‘BYE BYE BABY'”. ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Candy — Candido Maldonado Guadarrama (1986–1989)
  • Captain Quirk — Barry Zito (2007–2013)
  • Chief — John Tortes Meyers (1909-1915)
  • Chili — Charles Theodore Davis (1981–99)
  • Crawdaddy — Brandon Crawford (2011–Present)
  • Crazy Crab — “During the early 80’s a mascot craze swept the world of professional sports. In 1984 The Giants joined in with a unique “anti-mascot”, Crazy Crab, whose presence was meant to mock the mascot craze by encouraging fans to boo every time Crazy Crab appeared. Although Crazy Crab only lasted for one year, he is infamous among Giants fans.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Croix De Candlestick — “Pins that were given out only to fans who stayed for extra-inning night games in Candlestick Park. Pins were seen as proof of being a die-hard fan.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Drama — Brian Wilson (2006-2012)
  • Duffman — Matt Duffy (2014–Present)
  • El Caballo Loco — Angel Pagan (2012–Present); Crazy Horse!
  • El Divino Loco (“The Divine Madman”) — Ruben Gomez (1953–1958)
  • El Gran Gato (“The Big Cat”) — Andrés Galarraga (2003)
  • El Tiburón Blanco (The White Shark) — Gregor Blanco (2012–present)
  • “Eliminate me” — “The term used when Kruk & Kuip use the tele-strator to scratch out a fan or something they disapprove of on Giants telecasts.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Fadeaway — A new pitch invented by Christy Mathewson (1900-1916), which later became known as the screwball.
  • Fear the Beard — Brian Wilson (2006-2012)
  • Flakey / Flake — Jackie Brandt (1956, 1958-1959)
  • Gamer Babe — “The [controversial] ‘Gamer Babe’ meme appears to have started during the 2011 season, when the Giants broadcast showed four women sitting together and Krukow referred to them as Gamer Babes from Half Moon Bay, a seaside town about 30 minutes south of San Francisco.” Read all about it here: The “Gamer Babe” Problem
  • “Got Heeem'” — An expression coined by Giants pitcher Brian Wilson, employed, for instance, when an opposing baserunner is caught stealing.
  • “Grab Some Pine, Meat” — “Popularized by Giants announcer and former Giants starting pitcher, Mike Krukow. It is used as a way of telling a player to go sit on the bench after striking out.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • HacMan / Hackman — Jeffrey Leonard (1977–90)
  • Hendu — Dave Henderson (1981–94)
  • “Hey, Meat” — “A term for a ballplayer, shortened from ‘Grab some pine, meat’ [above].” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Hillbilly Machiavelli — Roger Craig (1985–1992)
  • Huff Daddy — Aubrey Huff (2010–2012)
  • “Humm Baby” — “The Rally cry of former Giants Manger Roger Craig, originated in the 1987 season, leading the Giants to a NL West Division Crown.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Iron Man — Joe McGinnity (1902–1908)
  • Joe Baseball — Joe Panik (2014–present)
  • King Carl — Carl Hubbell (1928-193)
  • Kobe — Joaquín Árias (2012–Present); he has a resemblance to Kobe Bryant, so lots of fans call him that
  • Kung Fu Panda — Pablo Sandoval (2008–2014); named by teammate Barry Zito for his rotund build and loveable nature.
  • Los Gigantes — Spanish for Giants. Used on the team’s uniform on Cinco de Mayo of 2007.
  • Mac — Willie McCovey (1959–80)
  • Mad Bum — Madison Bumgarner (2009–present)
  • Mandrake the Magician — Don Mueller (1948–1957)
  • Master Melvin — Melvin Thomas Ott (1926–1947)
  • Matt the Bat — Matt Williams (1987–1996)
  • McCovey Cove — The unofficial name of “the body of water beyond the right field wall of AT&T Park. Named after Giants Hall of Fame 1st Baseman, Willie McCovey, who was one of the most feared left-handed power hitters of all time.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • McCovey Point — At the northeastern portion of the China Basin Park, San Francisco, overlooking McCovey Cove.
  • Moon Man — Greg Minton (1975–1987)
  • Nenth Inning — When closer Robb “The Terminator” Nen (1998–2002) entered the game
  • Old Country — Madison Bumgarner (2009–present)
  • One Flap Down — “Nickname for former Giant Jeffrey Leonard originating from his home run trot where he would leave one arm hanging downward as if motionless.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • One Hunter Percent — Hunter Pence (2012–present)
  • Orange Friday — “Giants fans wear orange on Fridays during the season to show support for their Giants. You can see orange throughout the city of San Francisco on Friday, whether the team is home or away.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Orator Jim — James Henry O’Rourke (1885 – 1892, 1904)
  • Panda — Pablo Sandoval (2008–2014); named by teammate Barry Zito for his rotund build and loveable nature.
  • Pandoval — Pablo Sandoval (2008–2014)
  • Panik Attack — Joe Panik (2014–present); this is Zinzin’s creation and recommended nickname for a truly amazing young player.
  • Pat The Bat — Pat Burrell (2010–2011)
  • Patty Baseball — Pat Burrell (2010–2011)
  • Penitentiary Face — Jeffrey Leonard (1977–90)
  • Planet Zito — Barry Zito (2007–2013)
  • Pocket Full of Posies — Buster Posey (2009–Present); when clears the bases with a home run
  • Rags — Dave Righetti (1979–95, coach 2000–present)
  • Red Ass — Gaylord Perry (1962–1971)
  • REDACTED — All slang related to disgraced performance-enhancing drug-using Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera: “Got Melk?” has become “Got Juice?,” “Bad Melk” or “Spoiled Melk.”
  • Rube — Richard William Marquard (1908-1915)
  • Sarge — Gary Matthews (1972–87)
  • Shooter — Rodney Roy “Rod” Beck (1991–1997)
  • Shotgun — Matt Cain (2005–present)
  • Silent Mike — Mike Tiernan (1887–1899)
  • Smiling Mickey — Michael Francis Welch (1883-1892)
  • Snotrocket — Madison Bumgarner (2009–present)
  • Splash Hit — “Name for a home run that lands into McCovey Cove.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Stamos — Brandon Crawford (2011–Present)
  • Stonewall — Travis Jackson (1922–1936)
  • Stretch — “Nickname for Giants Willie McCovey [1959–80] earned because of his ability to catch hide and wide throws to first baseman.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • The Baby Bull — Orlando Cepeda (1958–1966)
  • The Barry Shift — “A common sight when Barry Bonds [was] at bat, it is when the opposing team shifts its defensive allingment so that the shortstop and center fielder are playing on the right half of the field, the third baseman is playing near shortstop and the left fielder is almost in center field.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • The Bay Bombers — A geographic nickname, alluding to San Francisco, which is situated by the SF Bay.
  • The Bays — Short version of The Bay Bombers.
  • The Bulldozers / The Dozers – In reference to winning all six elimination games on the way to the 2012 World Series Championship, especially in the NLDS when they lost first two games at home and won all three elimination games in Cincinnati. Nobody in San Francisco actually calls them this. Perhaps Detroit, St. Louis, and/or Cincinnati fans did.
  • The Count of Montefusco — John Montefusco (1974–1980)
  • The Fordham Flash — Frankie Frisch (1919–1926)
  • The Franchise — Tim Lincecum (2006–Present)
  • The Freak — Tim Lincecum (2006–Present)
  • The G-Men — A Giants team nickname and reference to nickname for a government agent.
  • The Gnats — Used by Giants detractors, especially Dodgers and Athletics fans.
  • The Gyros — A Giants team nickname
  • The Hembreenator — Heath Hembree (2013)
  • The Horse — Matt Cain (2005–present)
  • The Jints (rhymes with “pints”, not “mints”) — Slang version of “Giants”
  • The Kid — Roger Kieschnick (2013)
  • The Lord / The Lord Voldemort — Barry Bonds (1993-2007)
  • The Machine — Pat Burrell (2010–2011) and Brian Wilson (2006–2012)
  • The Meal Ticket — Carl Hubbell (1928-193)
  • The Misfits – Nickname for the 2010 Giants team that won the world series with a group of players that were not considered super stars… Also a play on the “SF” in “miSFits”, as seen on many bootleg shirts bearing the band logo of the same name.
  • The Old Flash — Frankie Frisch (1919–1926)
  • The Orange and Black — Reference to the team’s colors.
  • The Orange Giants — Reference to the team’s colors.
  • The Orange Nation — Reference to the team’s colors.
  • The Pacific Sock Exchange — The nickname for Will Clark (1986–1993) and Kevin Mitchell (1987–1991)
  • The Rajah — Rogers Hornsby (1927)
  • The Reverend — Hunter Pence (2012–present)
  • The Riot – Ryan Theriot (2012)
  • The Say Hey Kid — “Nickname for Giants legend Willie Mays [1951–73] originated because when he first came up to the Majors he didn’t know everyone’s name so he always used to call out ‘say hey’ to everyone.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • The Staten Island Scot — Bobby Thomson (1957) (Hitter of “The Shot Heard ‘Round the World,” the most famous single hit in Baseball history)
  • The Stick — Candlestick, in San Francisco, home of the SF 49ers and Giants.
  • The Terminator — Robb Nen (1998–2002)
  • The Willie — “Nickname for the statue of Willie Mays found in Willie Mays Plaza. A popular meeting destination before and after Giants games.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • The Year of the Fox — “The nickname refers to the 1971 team that, after finishing in 3rd place the year before, surprised the baseball world and unexpectedly captured the Western Division Title. Led by manager Charlie Fox, the mix of aging stars and rising youngsters snuck up on the baseball world, much like a fox.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Tito — Rigoberto (Peat) Fuentes (1965–78)
  • Triples Alley — “The large gap in right center field as formed by the sharp deepening of the fence wall. When a ball is hit in this area it usually results in a triple for the batter.” ~Giants Speakipedia
  • Ugly Finder — When a ball is hit Into the dugout, coined by Giants announcer and former Giants starting pitcher, Mike Krukow
  • “UUUU – RIBE!” — Chant by Giants fans for Jose Uribe (1985-1992)
  • VogelSTRONG — Ryan Vogelsong (2000-2001, 2011-present); for when he’s in a slump or injured or when he’s on a roll
  • Vogie — Ryan Vogelsong (2000-2001, 2011-present)
  • Will The Thrill | The Thrill — Will Clark (1986–1993)
  • Woody — Kirk Rueter (1996–2005)
  • Zeets — Barry Zito (2007–2013)