Here Today Gone Tomorrow?: The Life Expectancy of the Nickname

Am I the only person that is tired of every athlete getting some annoying nickname or abbreviation of their real name?

It is a sign of the times I guess, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

Like text speak and the overuse of acronyms which is sweeping across pop culture, it seems every major sports star has got to have a nickname.

When you think of it, it isn't really new though. Dr. J, Babe Ruth, the Galloping Ghost all were great nicknames for significant sports figures over the years. Those guys had staying power.

Now though it seems like announcers are going out of their way to coin a nickname for the biggest stars in sports today, but will you still know them tomorrow?

We have "A-Rod" which is short for Alex Rodriguez. Admittedly catchy and easy to say but also annoying after you hear it a million times.

What we will remember most about Rodriguez has yet to be determined but the probability of it being good isn't likely.

Last year we had Francisco Rodriguez referred as "K-Rod." That to me was one of the stupidest things ever. I'm still not sure what it means. I'm guessing it was a reference to him striking out people.

K isn't even his first initial so what gives? Not to mention I haven't heard one reference to him this year.

The "K-Rod" phenomenon also begs the question: Does every player whose last name is Rodriguez have to be called by their first initial or other variation plus Rod?

The Rods aren't the only ones. You have "The King" for Lebron James, ManRam, for Manny Ramirez, and a slew of others that just don't make any sense or just seem forced.

It is one thing for Chris Berman to have his shtick of creating names, but it is entirely another for the boys in Bristol or wherever else coming up with these ridiculous monikers.

They don't have the same effect as the old-school names, and sadly most of these players don't and won't have the same staying power as their predecessors.

Another question is: Isn't just knowing their name enough?

Jordan, DiMaggio, Montana all are recognizable figures and typically people knew them by just their name. No fancy or elaborately concocted designation needed.

So please all I ask is to just keep it simple. If the players are really worth remembering they won't need a stupid nickname for us to do it.