Name game

A few weeks ago, I was having a discussion with friends about the best names for a child in hopes that he would grow up to be a professional baseball player.  You can even break them down by position, desired offensive tool, or favorite player of yore.  Here are some of my favorites:
Ace
Squats (he would be a catcher, obviously...)
Stretch
Cleat
Nolan
Ryne
Lefty
Homer
Satchel
Sparky
Chipper

Not every parent has the base-balls to name their child a name meant for a ball player.  Instead, nicknames pop up over time.  Here's a compilation of my favorite names in baseball, some real, some nicknames, but all frequently used.  It's interesting how some of these stuck.  It doesn't happen as much now a days.

Rollie Fingers (Roland Glen Fingers)- The man, the legend, the mustache.  I'm sure Rollie had the same problem Dougie Fresh has with his last name growing up.

Goose Gossage (Richard Michael Gossage)- He shares a nickname with the best wing man ever...  Get it?  Top Gun?  Anyone?

Whitey Ford (Edward Charles Ford)- Of course he got his nickname because of his light colored hair.  Of course.

Yogi Berra (Lawrence Peter Berra)- He got his nickname from his resemblance to a Hindu yogi when waiting to bat.  Strange...

The Bird Fidrych (Mark Steven Fidrych)- He's eccentric before Brian Wilson was even born.

Stan the Man Musial (Stanley Frank Musial or Stanislaw Franciszek Musial)  It's pretty sweet when your nickname is "the man".  He's not 'a' man, but "the" man.

Connie Mack (Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr.)- Sister, the answer to the question is Cornelius.

And of course, Babe Ruth (George Herman Ruth)- No, his name isn't baby.

My greatest wish for a future Baby Tiger or Tigress is to acquire a ridiculous nickname that makes people question what his or her real name is.  It's a simple wish, but it will have to do.