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"The Final Boss" and the best nicknames in baseball

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Tony Gutierrez/ASSOCIATED PRESS

The Cardinals signed South Korean relief pitcher Seung-Hwan Oh, “The Final Boss,” to a one-year contract.

On Monday, the Cardinals signed all-time Korean saves leader Seung-Hwan Oh to a one-year contract to serve as a set-up man for Trevor Rosenthal.

Oh, a 5’10” righty, comes to St. Louis with a 1.81 ERA in 11 seasons between the Korean Baseball Organization and the Japan Central League.

But more importantly, Oh also brings with him two of the best nicknames in baseball: “Stone Buddha” and “The Final Boss.”

In honor of The Final Boss’ arrival in America, here’s a look at some of the best baseball nicknames we already have:

Charlie Hustle

According to rumors, Whitey Ford gave Pete Rose his nickname during spring training in 1963 when Rose sprinted to first after drawing a walk, rather than the typical jog.

“Charlie Hustle” spent the rest of that season running out walks and home runs alike, all the way to a Rookie of the Year award.

Scrabble

Marc Rzepczynski is an average-at-best pitcher, but his impossible-to-spell last name earned him one of the best nicknames: “Scrabble.”

Even his own teammates never learned to spell his real name.

El Oso Blanco

Evan Gattis earned the nickname "El Oso Blanco" in the Venezuelan Winter League.Al Bello/Getty Images

Evan Gattis earned the nickname “El Oso Blanco” in the Venezuelan Winter League.

Evan Gattis came to the majors with a great backstory already: after quitting baseball during college in 2006, he worked in a pizza parlor as a ski-lift operator and as a janitor before going back to baseball in 2010 and being drafted by the Braves.

His time in the Venezuela Winter League, however, added even more to Gattis’ mystique when he came back with the nickname “El Oso Blanco,” Spanish for “the White Bear.”

Flyin’ Hawaiian

Shane Victorino was called "The Flyin' Hawaiian."Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Shane Victorino was called “The Flyin’ Hawaiian.”

Shane Victorino’s teammates didn’t go too far out of the realm of possibility with his nickname: he’s from Hawaii and he flies after balls to the outfield.

But still, “Flyin’ Hawaiian” does have a nice ring to it.

Crime Dog

DIGITAL IMAGEMIKE FIALA/AP

Chris Berman renamed Fred McGriff after McGruff the Crime Dog.

McGruff the Crime Dog was a cartoon bloodhound created for the National Crime Prevention Council to build crime awareness among children.

Fred McGriff was a power-hitting first baseman who played for six teams in 19 years in the majors.

Chris Berman combined the two and “Crime Dog” was born.

Spaceman

Exported.;AP

Bill Lee’s eephus pitch earned him the nickname “Spaceman.”

Without a major-league fastball, southpaw Bill Lee found success with the Leephus pitch, or Space Ball, his own variation of the eephus.

His Red Sox teammate John Kennedy took it a step further and nicknamed the pitcher “Spaceman.”

In 2006, the “Spaceman: A Baseball Odyssey” documentary followed Lee from Vermont to Cuba.

Kung Fu Panda

Pablo Sandoval embraced his "Panda" nickname.Kelley L Cox/USA Today Sports

Pablo Sandoval embraced his “Panda” nickname.

Beyond being fantastic, Pablo Sandoval’s “Kung Fu Panda” nickname also has a great origin story: Barry Zito renamed him after seeing Sandoval jump over a catcher’s tag to score a run.

The nickname, thankfully, stuck.

Zorilla

No more than 7 images from any single MLB game, workout, activity or event may be used (including online and on apps) while that game, activity or event is in progress.Elsa/Getty Images

Ben Zobrist’s home run power turned him into “Zorilla.”

The grand prize of the offseason, Ben Zobrist is lauded for his versatility.

At his peak, however, the second baseman was known for some monster home runs, which earned him the nickname “Zorilla.”

Godzilla could probably wack a few homers himself, right?

Donnie Baseball

No more than 7 images from any single MLB game, workout, activity or event may be used (including online and on apps) while that game, activity or event is in progress.Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Don Mattingly earned the nickname “Donnie Baseball.”

In the 1980s and early 1990s, Don Mattingly was the face of baseball, as the Yankees great made six straight All-Star Game appearances and won nine Gold Gloves in nine years.

The name “Donnie Baseball” just fit.

Now, with Mattingly taking his talents to South Beach with the Marlins, let’s see if Donnie Beachball catches on as well.

Sandman

Other than being the best closer in history, Mariano Rivera was known best for his entrance music: Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.”

HOW YANKEES LEGEND MARIANO RIVERA AND METALLICA JOINED FORCES

The thirteen-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion earned the right to pick any nickname he wanted. “Sandman” was the best of the bunch.

kfeldman@nydailynews.com

Tags:
st. louis cardinals ,
new york yankees

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