The MLB season has hit its annual All-Star break, where the best players show off as the public awaits the second half of the year. During the hiatus, it feels like a great time to recognize the game’s most important aspect: nicknames. Baseball’s history is full of historic and straight-up bizarre nicknames for players, and that tradition carries on today. Here are the Best MLB nicknames right now.
Shohei Ohtani – “Shotime”
Magic Johnson and the 1980’s Los Angeles Lakers were must-watch television when they were called the “Showtime Lakers”. The same concept applies to Ohtani, who is without question the best player in the league. Not only is his bat arguably the most dangerous in the MLB, but he’s also an elite pitcher.
Ohtani has won two MVP awards in both the AL and the NL, including two unanimous AL MVPs. He’s a two-time World Series Champion with the Los Angeles Dodgers and has been named to the All-MLB First Team as a designated hitter and a pitcher. No baseball player in the world attracts the attention that “Shotime” does, proving to be a worthy nickname for an all-time athlete.
Aaron Judge – “All Rise”
With the last name Judge, “All Rise” is a perfect fit. Just like court judges, the New York Yankees superstar forces people to rise out of their seats. He’s won three MVPs, including two straight in the past two years. He’s a three-time Silver Slugger and has been a part of the All-Star team eight times.
The nickname is a fan favorite in The Big Apple, with stadium operators playing courtroom sound effects whenever he’s at bat. Judge has fully embraced the trademark, founding the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation in 2018, hoping to inspire children to become responsible adults. When it comes to this home run hitter, fans all rise to witness his talent.
Cal Raleigh – “The Big Dumper”
Raleigh is a more recent star compared to the previous two names, but his nickname may be the favorite among younger baseball fans. “The Big Dumper” references his noticeably large bottom and was coined by former minor league teammate Jarred Kelenic during his major league call-up. It may seem comical, but Raleigh became a fan favorite after a breakout season and a humorous nickname.
The Seattle Mariners’ catcher is a switch-hitting power hitter who led the league in home runs last year with 60. He’s had a slow start to this season, hitting just nine dingers in 65 games. Mariners fans know the power he’s capable of, though, so they’ll be hoping he uses his large backside to score more runs.
Max Scherzer – “Mad Max”
Scherzer is a 41-year-old starting pitcher who has played for the Washington Nationals, L.A. Dodgers, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, and now, the Toronto Blue Jays. He’s got a career 3.27 ERA, is a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and a two-time World Series Champion. The future Hall-of-Famer has experienced an abundance of success throughout his career, but he’s most known for his competitive spirit, the reasoning behind the “Mad Max” nickname.
Scherzer plays with an intensity that shows he doesn’t want to just beat the batter; he wants to destroy the batter. Last year, he yelled at manager John Schneider during Game 4 of the ALCS. Scherzer demanded that he stay in the game, which Schenider allowed. It’s hard to say no to a pitcher with the pedigree that Scherzer has, especially one who is known for the intense fire he plays with. “Mad Max” is a legend and one of the greatest to ever play the game, but his nickname will go down in history, too.
Pete Alonso – “Polar Bear”
In 2019, Alonso and Todd Frazier were teammates on the Mets. One day, the talkative Frazier told Alonso, “You look just like a big, old Polar Bear.” Given his large, strong build with a lighter complexion, the name stuck. Alonso added further explanation that polar bears are one of the few animals that hunt humans.
Alonso may not hunt humans, but he does hunt big home runs. The first baseman is one of the best hitters in today’s game. He led the league in home runs during his rookie season in 2019 with 53. He’s a four-time All-Star and signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles last offseason. Polar bears might be found in cold environments, but the “Polar Bear” can be found raking at Camden Yards.
BONUS MLB Nicknames: Jhostynxon García – “The Password”
García has played just 18 games at the MLB level, but his nickname is already worthy of big-league consideration. His first name is borderline impossible to spell without taking numerous glances at a roster sheet, with letters that just don’t look right sitting next to each other. Essentially, his first name would be the ideal password. His name passes the modern cybersecurity password guidelines.
The 23-year-old outfielder is a top prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates. At the Triple-A level, García is hitting .268 with 48 hits in 49 games. He exhibits raw power and strength, two attributes that should help him make the jump to the majors if he keeps developing at the plate. For the fans’ sake, “The Password” should be a regular.
