The 10 Best Athlete Nicknames

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Across America, people are known by their nicknames. 

In sports, there are athletes in every sport who have nicknames, as well. Most legends are known by them, as you will see.

Some nicknames are given to us in poor taste, while others are given as an honor and last a lifetime.

Today, let's look at some of the better nicknames given to athletes.

Magic Johnson

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Earvin Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers

Magic Johnson is one of the greatest NBA players of all time.  A career double-double man—19.5 points per game and 11.2 assists per game—Magic also posts one of sports all time great nicknames. 

Air Jordan

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Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls

Michael Jordan is also widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time.  "Air" was an extremely accurate nickname, as Jordan was most famous for his gravity defying slam dunks.

Spud Webb

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Anthony Jerome Webb, Atlanta Hawks

I'll be honest, I had no idea what Spud's given name was until I looked it up.

But his nickname is classic.

If you're talking about basketball and you bring up Spud, you don't need to say anything else. People will know that you're talking about the 5-foot-6 slam dunk champ.

You heard correctly—he was 5'6" and he was a slam dunk champion.

The Human Highlight Reel

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Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks

This is another fitting nickname.  The Human Highlight Reel, Dominique Wilkins, made a living by posterizing defenders with an uncanny ability to throw down acrobatic dunks. 

Pistol Pete

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Pete Maravich, New Orleans Jazz

Pete Maravich is one of basketball's all-time great players.  He was quite possibly the greatest college basketball player of all time.  True to his name, the Pistol could shoot the lights out.

Plastic Man

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Stacey Augmon, many teams (Hornets pictured)

Stacey Augmon was an integral part of the great UNLV teams of  the late 1980's and early 1990's.  He also had a long NBA career. 

As far as nickname's go though, it doesn't get much better than The Plastic Man—for his ability to stretch.

The Minister of Defense

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Reggie White, notably with Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers

Reggie White was aptly called The Minister of Defense.  It was appropriate because White, one of the NFL's most feared pass rushers, was an ordained minister. 

The Wizard

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Ozzie Smith, St. Louis Cardinals

The Wizard of Oz, Ozzie Smith is the best defensive shortstop in Major League history.  He did things with the glove that made you think he really had a wizard's powers. 

Dominator

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Dominik Hasek, Buffalo Sabres

Dominik Hasek was known during his playing days simply as The Dominator. 

And why not?

He was rolling as the most unbeatable goalie on the planet.  Just ask anyone who seen him lead the Czech Republic to Olympic gold in 1998.

The Wild Thing

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Mitch Williams, Philadelphia Phillies

If The Wild Thing, Mitch Williams, wasn't wild, I don't know what is. 

From his hair, to his number 99 jersey, to his delivery, to his pitch location, Williams lived up to every expectation one would have for someone called The Wild Thing.