What's my name?

My Pop always said that animals, dog especially need to earn their names.  They will tell you what their name is, not the other way around.  Today I brought home the best Valentine I have ever had, and he is (like most men in my life) confusing me!  Since it is the first day of Pitchers and Catchers, and I am who I am, there must be a baseball reference.  So let’s review what else we know about the little guy and go from there.

When first we met, he ran to me wagging his tail, and I knew this was my baby.  He was attacked by a dog that outweighed him by at least 100 pounds while I was filling out paperwork to make him mine.  He didn’t show his fear and fought back.  He whimpered like a baby when the bully was out of sight though.  After I left, he apparently barked non stop until I returned to adopt him today (two days later).  He stopped barking and wagged his tail like crazy when he saw me.  He is definitely a curious George, but is right at home.  He surveyed the entire house, and after finding it satisfactory has not left my side.  He has not made a sound- especially after we went for a walk.  It is obvious he cherishes sleep and is quite the bed hog!  I am not touching that with a ten foot pole as it relates to ball player nicknames!

This story has taken on a life of it’s own, so I am going to publish it in two segments: past and present.  They have a different way of describing that in the Big 10 don’t they?  For the past, I am including icons from around baseball because so much of my life has been influenced by baseball as a whole, but mostly by St Louis.  The present, which will come later, will be focused on the Braves.

Braves:
Wags/BWags:  Billy Wagner
He wags his tail like crazy when he sees me , and he does not seem to want to play ball just like Billy!  Although Wagner still appears on the 40 man roster, Braves fans are going to have to let go hope that he will return.  My first step is putting the Sandman in the past segment- even though I would gladly move him back to the present!  The Braves will miss his lights out fastball.  Wagner recorded 422 saves, 1196 strike outs, and a 2.31 ERA.  Those numbers cannot describe the impact of the mere sound of Metallica had in late innings!

(Black &) Decker:  Donald Harold Sutton
Though he is in the Hall of Fame as a Dodger and his #20 is retired, he is an adopted Brave in the hearts of Atlanta fans.  He has been a broadcaster in Atlanta off and on since 1989.  Sutton’s major league debut came April 14, 1966, the day Greg Maddux was born.  In his 23 year career, he compiled 324 wins, 3574 strikeouts (7th all-time), 58 shut outs, 4 All-Star appearances (All-Star MVP 1977), and 1354 at bats without a home run (most at bats without a HR).
Other Options:  BD, Blackie

Hammer:  Henry “Hank” Aaron
He was in a fight the first day I meet him!  This guy is definitely a home run and a king!  Not only is Aaron the true home run king, but he also holds the records for most RBIs (2297), most extra base hits (1477), and is third in career hits (3771).  Hank was quoted “I had the Giants’ contract in my hand. But the Braves offered fifty dollars a month more. That’s the only thing that kept Willie Mays and me from being teammates – fifty dollars.”  Maybe the dog should be named “thank you Jesus!”  Another plus is that my Paps’ middle name is Henry.
Other options:  Homer, 755, King (King Kelly played for Boston and Cincinnati.  I’m not sure that’s the best choice!)

Cha Cha:  Orlando Cepada
He’s a Chihuahua, and Cepada played for the Braves and the Cards.  ChaCha may be a bit feminine for this one though!

Cardinals:
Dizzy:  Jay Hanna “Dizzy” Dean
Dizzy & Paul “Daffy” Dean were from Lucas , AR, and the Dean family has a special place in my heart.  Dizzy was also called “The Great Man”, and let’s face it, he is my dog, of course he is great!  The Dean’s are best known for being part of the 1934 “Gashouse Gang” that won the World Series.  Dizzy’s number 17 was retired.
Other Options:  Daffy, Bo (Daffy’s namesake Paul Dean goes by Bo- that’s a trivia question for you!)

Pac(k):  Pack Robert “Bob” Gibson, PAC:  Pitcher and Catchers
Gibson was a great St Louis pitcher whose number 45 was retired.  I got little man on the first day of pitchers and catchers!
Other Options:  Gibby, Hoot (another nickname of Gibson)

Pop:  Jesse Joseph Haines
He was a right-handed knuckballer. He played briefly in 1918, then from 1920 to 1937, mostly for St Louis.  I am not sure how I feel about naming my dog Pop, but I had to include it!

Stan (the Man):  Stanley Frank Musial
This legendary Cardinal is held in such high esteem that his picture hung in our home.  In fact my brother in law thought we must be related! 24 time All-Star, 3 time World Series Champ, 3 time NL MVP, Lou Gehring Award Winner, .331 Batting Average, 3630 Hits, 475 Home Runs, 1951 RBIs, MLB All Century Team, #6 Retired.  Stan Musial was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest award that a civilian can receive, today by President Obama.

Whitey:  Whitey Herzog
The first Cardinal manager in my memory.  Little man has a white nose, neck, and chest.

Ozzie:  Ozzie Smith
The greatest shortstop of all time and you will never convince different, so do not try!

Buck:  Jack Buck

Jack Buck’s legendary voice was, and still is to many, synonymous with St Louis Cardinal Baseball.

Also Rans:
Cy:  Denton True “Cy” Young
I am claiming him for St Louis because he did play two years in the great city!  Cy Young’s recoed 514 wins will never be matched, but he also holds the records for innings pitched, games started, and losses.  I think you are getting the hint how he relates to my dog!
Other Options:  Cyrus (Cy came from teasing about his country background.  Cyrus was shortened to Cy.  I would not want my dog to be confused with Miley or Billy Ray)

Cool Papa:  James Cool Papa Bell
St Louis Stars.  He’s my dog!  Pop’s is middle name James, and he was a cool papa!

Slick:  Whitey Ford
He’s a Chihuahua!  However fitting it may be, my dog cannot be named after a Yankee!

Sparky:  George Lee “Sparky” Anderson
This guy definitely fits the name!  He does not back down would be well suited to be named after the iconic manager.  I could justify naming him after someone known primarily for managing in the American League because he did manage the Big Red Machine.  It is still not at the top of the list!

Foxx:  James Emory “Jimmie” Foxx
The second major league player to hit 500 career home runs, after Babe Ruth, the second youngest behind A Roid, oops, Rod to get to 500 at age 32 years 336 days.  He has three career MVP awards are tied for second all-time.  Most importantly, he managed the Fort Wayne Daisies of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League for one season in 1952. Tom Hanks‘ character Jimmy Dugan in the movie A League of Their Own.
Other Options: Duece, Dos, Double XX (Two is a reoccurring theme in Foxx’s life), Jimmie, League

These are some of my ideas, and reasons for them.  Please comment to cast your vote, but tell me your reason!