Top 25 Most Awesome Sports Nicknames Ever

What better way to describe players with tremendous or meager size, extraordinary or subpar athleticism, and a propensity to be in the spotlight than to hand them a nickname and make it stick throughout their careers and the rest of their life?

For years commentators, columnists, fans, and experts have provided some interesting, exciting, hilarious, and sometimes dirty nicknames for players of every sport. Here are 25 of those nicknames, with video evidence. Does the nickname suit the athlete? You be the judge!

I hope this article makes Chris Berman proud...

25. “The Flying Housewife” Fanny Blankers-Koen

We start the countdown in old-school fashion.

The Dutch mother of two participated in the 1948 Summer Olympics and won four gold medals at the age of 30.

24. Charles "The Round Mound of Rebound" Barkley

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

17 Mar 1999: Charles Barkley #4 of the Houston Rockets looking on during the game against the Denver Nuggets at the McNichols Arena in Denver, Colorado. The Rockets defeated the Nuggets 114-103. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Charles is no stranger to the comical spotlight, so when this nickname surfaced, it obvious stuck. Barkley had a stellar professional basketball career and continues to be a force on the celebrity sports scene. 

23. “Joltin'” Joe DiMaggio

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

20 Oct 1996: Baseball great Joe Dimaggio walks out to the pitchers mound to throw out the first pitch of the 1996 World Series Game One between the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York. The Braves defeated the

Perhaps the most simplistic nickname on the countdown, the baseball legend's nickname simply described the way he would hit the ball hard and appear to spring or "jolt" out of the box, as if excited for every base hit.

22. Bernie “Boom-Boom” Geoffrion

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

ATLANTA - OCTOBER 22: Hockey legend Bernie 'Boom Boom' Geoffrion acknowledges the crowd after being introduced before the Atlanta Thrashers game against the New Jersey Devils on October 22, 2005 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. The Thrashers won the

The tenacious legend of the ice has been credited with the invention of the slapshot, which made a sound so loud it can only be described as a "boom."

21. Randy “Big Unit” Johnson

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - APRIL 12: Former Mariners star Randy Johnson walks on to the field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Mariners' home opener against the Oakland Athletics at Safeco Field on April 12, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Athletics

The 6'10" lefty had a 100-mph plus fastball in the prime of his career and carried the nickname given to him by long-time voice of the Seattle Mariners, Dave Niehaus. 

20. Eric “Sleepy” Floyd

Given his nickname, people not familiar with this player may think he's a jazz musician or mobster. He was, in fact, a guard for the New Jersey Nets and got his nickname for his heavy eyelids and how they make him look like he's dozing off when he's wide awake. 

19. Bill “The Owl Without a Vowel” Mlkvy

One of the most creative nicknames on the countdown, "The Owl Without A Vowel" is used to describe Mlkvy's last name, which obviously doesn't contain a vowel. Bill played college ball for the Temple Owls, and well, you can figure out the rest.

18. "Bip" Roberts

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

30 Jun 1998: Bip Roberts #3 of the Oakland Athletics drops his bat behind him during the interleague game against the San Diego Padres at Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California. The A''s defeated teh Padres 12-10

The nickname was given to Roberts as a child when he would ask for a "bip" more instead of a "bit" more. Roberts used the nickname in his professional career to honor his mother.

17. "Mookie" Wilson

Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images

25 Feb 2002: Coach Mookie Wilson # 1 of the New York Mets posses for Spring Training Picture Day at Thomas J. White Stadium in Port St. Lucie Florida. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Eliot Schechter/Getty Images

Like Roberts, Wilson was given his nickname as a child. His parents still tell the story of how Willie would ask for more "mookie" instead of milk.

16. Rod “He Hate Me” Smart

Todd Warshaw/Getty Images

3 Feb 2001: Rod 'He Hate Me' Smart #30 of the Las Vegas Outlaws in action against the New York/New Jersey Hitmen at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Outlaws won 19-0. Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw/ALLSPORT

The self-marketing genius slogan of Rod Smart made him an overnight sensation. However, Vince McMahon would realize you can't fake football the way you can fake wrestling (WWF), and the XFL dissolved after just two seasons.

15. Paul “Bear” Bryant

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Coach Bear Bryant of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches his players during a game.

The former University of Alabama head football coach won six national titles and 13 conference championships during his tenure. He received his moniker for his deep voice and strong yet quiet demeanor.

14. Kordell “Slash” Stewart

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

ORLANDO, FL - OCTOBER 22: Kordell Stewart annouces the play for Versus during the game between the California Redwoods and the Florida Tuskers at the Florida Citrus Bowl on October 22, 2009 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Kordell Stewart was a college football machine, known for his ability to play quarterback and split out wide as a receiver, giving him the nickname "Slash" as in QB/WR.

13. Leroy “Satchel” Paige

A man "blessed" with huge feet that resembled a satchel or suitcase, Leroy Paige carried his alternate identity whether he liked it or not. Maybe being in the Hall of Fame overshadows a goofy nickname just a bit.

12. Karl “The Mailman” Malone

Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - FEBRUARY 17: Basketball player Karl Malone attends at the 57th NBA All-Star Game, part of 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend at the New Orleans Arena on February 17, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

Malone became so automatic in clutch situations, he garnered the name "The Mailman" because he always delivered. 

11. "Boog" Powell

Greg Fiume/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - APRIL 09: Boog Powell waves to the crowd after throwing out the first pitch before the game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Toronto Blue Jays on Opening Day at Camden Yards on April 9, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/

The hefty but lovable first baseman was a vital piece for several Baltimore Orioles teams and his nickname is an endearing term, perhaps given to him by teammates and coaches.

10. "Pistol" Pete Marovich

Pete Maravich got his nickname in high school from the way he would start his shot from the hip. He would go on to be one of the most prolific scorers in college basketball history and split time with three NBA teams in his professional career.

9. "Shoeless" Joe Jackson

Rest assured, the historical baseball player wasn't too poor to afford shoes. The nickname describes how fast Joe Jackson was. So fast, in fact, it seemed like he was on the verge of running out of his shoes.

8. "Tiger" Woods

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LEMONT, IL - SEPTEMBER 12: Tiger Woods sits at the 12th tee during the final round of the BMW Championship at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club on September 12, 2010 in Lemont, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

While doing the research on why someone would name their child "Eldrick," it was discovered that the nickname "Tiger" was given to him by his father. Turns out the nickname is a motivational tool to remind Eldrick to fight for his dreams and accomplishments.

7. "The Great One"

Wayne Gretzky is one of the fist names that surfaces when discussing the best players in the history of the NHL. Trying to find someone to dispute that concept would be extremely difficult. Gretzky's nickname, "The Great One," will forever be used to introduce him before handing him the microphone.

6. O.J. "Juice" Simpson

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 05: O.J. Simpson smiles as he arrives in court for his sentencing hearing at the Clark County Regional Justice Center December 5, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Simpson and co-defendant Clarence 'C.J.' Stewart were sentenced on 12 charge

For Simpson, the decision to be known as "O.J." rather than "Orenthal James" seems like an easy one. However, the acronym is also highly used to shorten "orange juice" (Creepy: The Blue Shield commercial I just watched on TV used it three times just now). 

5. Julius "Dr. J" Erving

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - 1987: Julius Erving #6 of the Philadelphia 76ers rests during the 1987 game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Erving was able to cut down the court and through defenders so well, he earned the nickname "Dr. J." To this day it is difficult to find a highlight reel of the star without hearing those words. 

4. Willie “The Say Hey Kid” Mays

The Hall of Fame outfielder got his nickname from the way he would shout at players or people he wouldn't know by saying, "Say hey there." The nickname has become ingrained in sports history, and seems to somehow fit perfectly.

3. Michael "Air" Jordan

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

31 May 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls drives to the basket over Dale Davis #32 of the Indiana Pacers during game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Pacers 88-83.

No nickname better describes a player's ability to jump than "Air" describes Michael Jordan's acrobatic prowess. Beyond just the game, the nickname would become synonymous with Jordan, and is still used to describe him today. 

2. William "The Fridge" Perry

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

1990: William Perry #72 of the Chicago Bears looks on during practice in 1990. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Is a description really needed to figure out where this nickname originated? The 6'2", 320-pound mass of a human being was often used as a running back for the Chicago Bears. Can you imagine how tough it would be to create a hole in the defensive line for this guy? Yikes!

Defensive backs still shudder at the mention of his name.

1. George Herman "Babe" Ruth

Of course Babe Ruth is tops on this list. You simply can't top a player nickname of a player who's remembered by a nickname instead of his first name. Got it?

There are so many nicknames to choose from for Ruth, and all of them could be considered number one. George Herman "Babe" Ruth is still considered perhaps the best hitter to ever play the game.

With nicknames like "The Sultan of Swat," "The Colossus of Clout" and "The Great Bambino," (Thank you, "The Sandlot", for the assist) Ruth hits the top of the charts in the baseball history books, and this slideshow.