2008 Woodie Awards
Team names that were fitting and appropriate
Ariy-El Boynton
Issue date: 4/9/08 Section: Sports
What's in a name? Some are better than others, and here are the 10 greatest sports nicknames of all time.
10. "The Hogs"- Washington Redskins-1980s
The Hogs proved that offensive lineman are sexy, making perhaps the largest grassroots marketing campaign in the history of the National Football League. Jeff Bostic, guards Russ Grimm and Mark May and tackles Joe Jacoby and George Starke gave a face to the Hogs and fullback John Riggins allowed the Redskins to win SB XVII in 1983 over the Miami Dolphins, 27-17.
9. "The Big Red Machine"- Cincinnati Reds-1970 to 1976
These Reds were in fact Big - Johnny Bench, Ken Griffey, Sr., and Tony Perez gave opposing pitchers big headaches. They were Red - they got dirty, and the white shirts and pants did not often stay that way in games with Pete Rose and George Foster running wild around the bases. They were a machine under Sparky Anderson - they were well coached, played 63 All-Star games as a group and had in their ranks three Hall of Famers, six NL MVPs, four NL HR Champs, three NL Batting Champs and 25 Gold Glove winners.
8. "No Name Defense"-Miami Dolphins-1972
They have a great nickname, and they would have been higher on the list, but only half of the team was represented. Great defensive players like Jake Scott, Dick Anderson, Bill Stanfill and Nick Buoniconti did have names and gave offensive coaches no answers in sight. I bet every defensive coach since '72 has made a reference to the D that allowed the only perfect season in NFL history.
7. Miracle Mets of '86- New York Mets-1986
The Mets dominated the National League and were on the breach of a dynasty which could have racked up the World Series, but maybe the Miracle was that team won one world series and then broke apart due to off the field troubles.
6. "Fab Five"-University of Michigan-Men's Basketball-1991-92/1992-93
This group was larger than basketball and gave a much-needed boost to college basketball in the early '90s. Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King truly changed the game of basketball and the social makeup of America. The long baggy shorts, the black socks with the black shoes, the swagger, the run and gun offense and defense even carried over to NBA and made the "old school" fresh.
10. "The Hogs"- Washington Redskins-1980s
The Hogs proved that offensive lineman are sexy, making perhaps the largest grassroots marketing campaign in the history of the National Football League. Jeff Bostic, guards Russ Grimm and Mark May and tackles Joe Jacoby and George Starke gave a face to the Hogs and fullback John Riggins allowed the Redskins to win SB XVII in 1983 over the Miami Dolphins, 27-17.
9. "The Big Red Machine"- Cincinnati Reds-1970 to 1976
These Reds were in fact Big - Johnny Bench, Ken Griffey, Sr., and Tony Perez gave opposing pitchers big headaches. They were Red - they got dirty, and the white shirts and pants did not often stay that way in games with Pete Rose and George Foster running wild around the bases. They were a machine under Sparky Anderson - they were well coached, played 63 All-Star games as a group and had in their ranks three Hall of Famers, six NL MVPs, four NL HR Champs, three NL Batting Champs and 25 Gold Glove winners.
8. "No Name Defense"-Miami Dolphins-1972
They have a great nickname, and they would have been higher on the list, but only half of the team was represented. Great defensive players like Jake Scott, Dick Anderson, Bill Stanfill and Nick Buoniconti did have names and gave offensive coaches no answers in sight. I bet every defensive coach since '72 has made a reference to the D that allowed the only perfect season in NFL history.
7. Miracle Mets of '86- New York Mets-1986
The Mets dominated the National League and were on the breach of a dynasty which could have racked up the World Series, but maybe the Miracle was that team won one world series and then broke apart due to off the field troubles.
6. "Fab Five"-University of Michigan-Men's Basketball-1991-92/1992-93
This group was larger than basketball and gave a much-needed boost to college basketball in the early '90s. Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Jalen Rose, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King truly changed the game of basketball and the social makeup of America. The long baggy shorts, the black socks with the black shoes, the swagger, the run and gun offense and defense even carried over to NBA and made the "old school" fresh.
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