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Baseball History Negro League Nicknames Nicknames spice up life. Conventional names seem to pale in comparison to nicknames Throughout history, nicknames have also found an exciting role in sports Fans create names for their team’s players, and their opposing team’s players, to either encourage or heckle those out on the field or court. Nicknames have had their place in baseball since its inception. Although its date of invention is debatable, the effect of nicknames on baseball is obvious. Nicknames have helped create a bond between player and fan. In the first half of the 20th century, baseball was divided into two worlds. There was black baseball and white baseball. The players were separated by their color, into (mainly) the Negro and Major Leagues. Besides the color of the players’ skin, however, these two worlds of baseball were almost identical, right down to the role of nicknames. Even the nicknames were similar, with some players from both leagues sharing the same nickname. Some of the players from the Negro Leagues often received their nicknames because they personified certain Major Leaguers. For example, Andrew “Rube” Foster, considered by many to be the father of the Negro Leagues, is said to have received his nickname after he defeated Major League pitching great Rube Waddel in an exhibition game. Joseph “Smokey Joe” Williams also received his nickname after a Major Leaguer, pitching phenom Smokey Joe Wood, although several other versions of how he came about his nickname exist. An example of a Negro Leaguer who was nicknamed after a fellow Negro League player, was third basemen William “Judy” Johnson. Johnson acquired this nickname while he was playing with the Hilldale Daisies, because he closely resembled Judy Gans, a player on the Chicago American Giants. Some of these players also earned nicknames from personality traits they exhibited. James “Cool Papa” Bell came about his nickname when he was a pitching prospect early in his career. He was pitching in a game and in a clutch situation he struck out Negro League great Oscar Charleston. His manager, Bill Gatewood, was impressed with Bell’s ability to stay so collected under pressure, and gave him the nickname “Cool Papa,” adding the “Papa” to make the name sound better. John Henry “Pop” Lloyd earned his nickname “Pop” as a manager. His players called him “Pop” because he was like a father to the younger players on his team. Three of the Negro Leaguers in the Baseball Hall of Fame obtained their nicknames as children. Homestead Gray’s great Walter “Buck” Leonard was called “Buck” before he had ever stepped on a diamond. His parents called him “Buddy” when he was a child, but whenever his little brother attempted to pronounce his name it came out as “Buck.” Because of this, his parents started calling him “Buck” as well. LeRoy “Satchel” Paige, one of the Negro League’s most feared pitchers, received his nickname because of an incident that occurred when he was a young teen. Paige strongly disliked his nickname as an adult because it reminded him of his troubled past, but he could never shake the name. When he was young, he transported luggage in a train station for some extra money. One day he tried to steal a man’s satchel, but was unsuccessful. One of his friends, who saw the incident, decided to give him the nickname “Satchel.” Norman “Turkey” Stearnes earned his nickname as a child because of the way he ran. It looked like he flapped his elbows up and down whenever he tried to run, and while doing this, he greatly resembled a turkey. Most of the Negro League Hall of Famers played in Spanish countries during the winter, (and sometimes in the summer), and these players were often given nicknames by their Spanish fans. Often times these names stuck, and their English translations were used back in the US. John Henry “Pop” Lloyd who was a superb fielder was given a nickname while he played in Cuba. The Cuban fans called him “El Cuchara” (“The Tablespoon”) because of his exceptional ability to dig balls out of the dirt. Jose Mendez also was given a nickname in Cuba, his home country. He was called “El Diamante Negro,” or, “The Black Diamond.” Willie Wells received a nickname while he was playing in Mexico. His fans called him “El Diablo,” or “The Devil,” because his fielding skills allowed him to rob opponents of hits. Willard “Home Run” Brown was nicknamed “Esse Hombre” (“The Man”) in Puerto Rico, where he played in the winter. The greatest Negro Leaguers were often given titles directly relating them to the greats of the Major Leagues. For example, Josh Gibson and Louis Santop where both known as “The Black Babe Ruth.” Gibson and Santop’s strengths and personality where much like that of Ruth, and it is said that Santop once called a shot, something for which Ruth is famous. William “Judy” Johnson was known as “The Black Pie Traynor” because of his incredible defensive abilities. The nicknames of the Negro Leagues are just as colorful as the nicknames of the Major Leagues. These nicknames help give insight into a player’s past, playing abilities, and personality traits. It is the bottom of the 9th in the deciding game of the Negro League World Series. There are two outs, the bases are loaded, you’re down by two – and you’re up to the plate. The count is full, and your hands are sweating so badly you can barely hold onto the bat. You’re unsure of yourself – you step out of the box – you look up at the crowd. They sense your hesitation. Slowly but surely they start chanting your nickname. Louder and louder and louder they chant until the whole stadium is shaking. You smile up at the crowd and step back into the batter’s box. You dig in – it’s go time. References Websites http://www.afrigeneas.com/forum-reconstruction/index.cgi?noframes;read=263 http://www.pitchblackbaseball.com/nlotmmulesuttles.html http://www.nlbpa.com/mendez_jose.html Books
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