What’s in a name? Thanksgiving edition
For Thanksgiving, I decided to have a little fun with some nicknames (and a few given ones), via Baseball-Reference. So here’s a Turkey Day Team — Thanksgiving, food and eating related names — to chew on.
Managing the bunch is Hall of Famer Leo “The Lip” Durocher, Dodgers 1939-48, Giants 1948-55, Cubs 1966-72, Astros 1972-73
On the mound, HOF lefty Carl “The Meal Ticket” Hubbell, Giants 1928-43
Behind the plate, HOF catcher Gabby “Old Tomato Face” Hartnett, Cubs 1922-40, Giants 1941
At first base, HOFer Lou “Biscuit Pants” Gehrig, Yankees 1923-39
At second base, Stuffy Stewart, Cardinals 1916-17, Pirates 1922, Robins 1923, Senators 1925-29
At third base, HOFer Pie Traynor, Pirates 1920-37
At shortstop, Turkey Gross, Red Sox 1925
In the outfield:
HOFer Turkey Stearns, Negro Leagues, 1923-42
“Turkey” Mike Donlin, Cardinals 1899-1900; Orioles 1901; Reds 1902-04; Giants 1904-11, ’14; Braves 1911; Pirates 1912. And buried in West Long Branch
And in recognition of the “first Thanksgiving,” HOFer “Wahoo” Sam Crawford, Reds 1899-1902, Tigers 1903-17.
On the bench, we have:
RF/1B Frank “Turkeyfoot” Brower, Senators 1920-22, Indians 1923-24
Turkey Tyson, 0-for-1 for the Phillies in 1944
OF Manuel “Potato” Cueto, St. Louis Terriers 1914, Reds 1917-19
1B Hugh “Corns” Bradley, Red Sox 1910-12, Federal League 1914-15
Minor leaguer Arvie Pilgrim
And in the bullpen:
RHP Jeremy Guthrie, Indians 2004-06, Orioles 2007-10 (for Arlo, natch)
LHP Mark Guthrie, Twins 1989-95, Dodgers 1995-98, Red Sox 1999, Cubs 1999-2000, Devil Rays 2000, Blue Jays 2000, A’s 2001, Mets 2002, Cubs 2003
RHP Luke “Hot Potato” Hamlin, Tigers 1933-34, Dodgers 1937-41, Pirates 1942, A’s 1944
RHP Camilo “Little Potato” Pascual, Senators 1954-60, Twins 1961-66, Senators, 1967-69, Reds 1969, Dodgers 1970, Indians 1971
And, finally, HOF RHP Red Ruffing (rhymes with “stuffing”), Red Sox 1924-30, Yankees 1930-46, White Sox 1947
Makes me want to put on my Thanksgiving pants and chow down on the biscuits!
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
I know that after last night’s Trivial Pursuit game, I requested my nickname be “Oil Can” henceforth, but I will also consider “Biscuit Pants” as an acceptable alternative.