By Hazel Edith Gripp(Note: Part II of Ode to Nicknames is, unfortunately, lost. Miss Gripp died in her sleep before she could complete the third part of her Ode to Nicknames, but what she did complete is presented below. Many thanks to baseball historian and Hazel Gripp authority, John Hilton)
(To the left: Dick "Dr. Strangeglove" Stuart)
Again I pick up pen to sing
Of Swift and Swish and Stretch and Sting
Of Spot and Buster, King and Slick
And Buzz and Whistle, Clink and Stick.
Squeaky, Slushy, Diamond Jim
Sparky, Shorty, Duffy, Slim
Coca-Cola, Sweet and Honey
Bee-Bee, Go-Go, Choo Choo, Sonny.
Let’s raise a glass and drink to Suds
And all those now forgotten Buds
There’s Kid and Satch and Turk and Maz
And Hoot and Kooz and Pudge and Yaz.
Woody, Wimpy, plain old Porky
Cuno, Chico, Campy, Corky
Husky, Jolly, Pepi, Twiggy
Shady, Digger, Zorro, Iggy.
It’s wonderful how they all played
Hammer, Chisel, Ramrod, Blade
Dr. Strangeglove, Mr. Scoop
Highrise, Downtown, Blue Moon, Bloop.
Guido, Haiti, and Pierre
Spider, Vulture, Cobra, Bear
Big and Fat and Long and Wee
Monbo, Moochie, Boots and Dee.
Le Grand Orange and Daddy Wags
(How did they ever get these tags?)
Dirty Al and Sudden Sam
Hot Rod, Roadblock, Whiplash, Bam.
Penguin, Mudcat, Bumblebee
Catfish, Rooster, Stork and Flea
There’s Baby Bull and Crazy Horse
Chicken, Mule and Hawk, of course.
These nicknames bring the Game to life
Iron Hands and Mack the Knife
Moonman, Phantom, Loco, Tug
Say Hey, No Neck, Monster, Jug.
Stinger, Snooker, Scooter, Skip
Killer, Chalker, Creeper, Chip
Charlie Hustle, Little Looie
Augie, Bubba, Nellie, Dewey.
From East and West, North and South
Come Fireball and Motormouth
From this great country’s farthest reaches
Come Cookie, Pork Chop, T-Bone, Peaches...
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