Let’s take a look at the nicknames….along with my thoughts.
METS
Pete Alonso: “POLAR BEAR”…..perfect!
Aaron Altherr: “A-A-RON”….hilarious
Luis Avilan: “AVI”…..sure
Robinson Cano: “NOLO”…….I won’t kick a man when he’s down
Yoenis Cespedes: “LA POTENCIA”….sure
Michael Conforto: “FORTO”…….I guess he doesn’t like Scooter the way the media forces it
J.D. Davis: “DIZZLE” – sure
Jacob deGrom: “deGROM” – this is actually the best one!!!!
Edwin Diaz: “SUGAR” – that’s what I always call him since he got here so sure.
Jeurys Familia: “YAGUATE” – dunno but Yaguate is a municipality of the San Cristóbal province in the Dominican Republic.
Todd Frazier: “TODDFATHER”….
Robert Gsellman: “G” – cool enough
Luis Guillorme: “LUISMI” – sure
Donnie Hart: “D.HART” – SMH
Adeiny Hechavarria: “LA PANTERA UUFF”
It was Sept. 18, 2013, and his Marlins team was playing the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia third baseman Cody Asche had just robbed Hechavarria of a bunt hit. So Hechavarria said, “When that guy comes up to bat, I’m going to do whatever it takes to not let him get a hit.” Asche hit a high line drive, and Hechavarria leapt “probably the highest I’ve ever jumped in my career or lifetime” to make the highlight-reel catch. But he landed on his hands and knees. A Marlins broadcaster exclaimed that Hechavarria looked like a panther and asked for his approval, and thus “La Pantera” was born.
Finally, there’s “Uuff.” Hechavarria uses the expression in person, and on social media, as “the highest way of me celebrating something.” The first time he met his girlfriend? Uuff. Big hit with the game on the line? Uuff. Another great play at shortstop? La Pantera, uuff. (via MLB.com)
Juan Lagares: “JUAN JR” – I guess.
Walter Lockett: “(LOCK EMOJI)” – my second favorite.
Seth Lugo: “QUARTERRICAN” – always a good one.
Steven Matz: “MATZY” – the opposite of “Harv”
Chris Mazza: “MAZZ” – Hmmmm this is Queens son….that’s someone else.
Jeff McNeil: “FLYING SQUIRREL” – when do we get an animated series with Polar Bear?
Tomas Nido: “NEEDZ” – cool
Brandon Nimmo: “TATER” – cool
Wilson Ramos: “BUFFALO” – yep
Amed Rosario: “ROSIE” – yeah?
Dominic Smith: “SUG” – how is this pronounced? Is it like sugar or like bug?
Marcus Stroman: “HDMH” – wait until MLB finds out he snuck in an apparel brand.
Zack Wheeler: “WHEELS” – sure
Justin Wilson: “J WILLY” – sure
