The List: Five best athletes named after animals

2009-09-08T11:20:20-04:00

2009-01-06T16:36:54-05:00

2009-01-06T16:46:54-05:00

2009-01-09T11:31:06-05:00

tj_

No City 658061

28 The horse named after NHL's MVP Alexander Ovechkin of Washington Capitals: http://alexovetjkin.blogspot.com/2008/08/ovechkin-turf-router.html 3923829

2009-01-09T02:09:15-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/580/015/thumb/thumb.jpg 5 XX

Dave Heuschkel

No City 580575

27 Birdie Tebbetts was a catcher for the Red Sox in the late 1940's. He also played for the Indians and Tigers. 3919460

2009-01-08T16:06:52-05:00

mnwild18

Saint Paul 426683

26 How does Giraffe Hartnells not make this list??? 3911846

2009-01-06T16:55:47-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/485/883/thumb/horseselkmt.jpg 90 LA

train64

Prairieville 486343

2 Dumb article. 3883177

2009-01-07T10:03:10-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/130/548/thumb/Shelby_color.jpg 6117 Il

Steveo16220 says: Hello Boston

Chi-Town 130848

Dumb article.

25 got your attention to read it....don't know if that shows good journalism on the writers part to sucker you in to comment it on it...or...well yeah, its your fault...obviously you don't know its a reporters job to write articles like this to get a reaction out of people like you... good job, your the stock of the comment section! 3889920

2009-01-07T04:18:56-05:00

actorman311

No City 164161

23 sorry for double post 3888159

2009-01-07T04:18:36-05:00

actorman311

No City 164161

22 Haha I don't think Nagurski required championship rings that were any 19 and a half inches in circumference....maybe millimeters...unless he wasn't putting them on his fingers.... 3888138

2009-01-07T04:17:46-05:00

actorman311

No City 164161

21 Haha I don't think that Nagurski required championship rings that were any 19 and a half inches in circumference....maybe millimeters?...unless he was putting them somewhere else.... 3888113

2009-01-07T00:41:54-05:00

jeff the anti sooner

Leander 655000

20 This is a fun and interesting take, you ninnies. Go back to your day-old pizza and your couch. Sincerely, an appreciative reader (and a male). 3887762

2009-01-07T00:40:38-05:00

jeff the anti sooner

Leander 655000

19 fun article. anyone who casts dispersions is a ninny. go back to your couch and finish your day-old pizza, ninnies. 3887659

2009-01-06T23:55:38-05:00

http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/636/515/thumb/embarrassment.jpg 104 FL

NBAMatt628

Winter Haven 637155

18 Look at the spelling of her own name. Writing about animals is alot easier. 3887543

<div class="photo_container image_right" style="width: 300px;"> <div class="photo"><img title="Colt McCoy" src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/football/ncaa/12/08/mccoy.returning.ap/t1_mccoyreturning.jpg" alt="Colt McCoy" width="298" height="408" /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align:right;"> Animal-inspired names have been around sports forever.<br /></div> <div class="photo_attributes" style="text-align:right;">AP</div> </div> <p>We're taking an alternative approach to commemorating the clutch play of Texas quarterback <strong>Colt McCoy</strong>, whose 26-yard touchdown pass in the waning seconds of last night's Fiesta Bowl sealed the victory for the 'Horns. Most journalists will point out his tenacity on the field, his Heisman loss, his future in the NFL -- you know, the typical football banter. But today, we'd like to recognize him for his name -- a bizarre yet balanced combination of animal instinct and athletic dexterity. Plus, it looks damn good on paper. So here's our list of the five best athletes named after animals:</p> <p><strong>1. Tiger Woods:</strong> If there's any animal in the wild that could amass 65 PGA wins, 14 major championships, 529 total weeks atop the world rankings and $800 million in career earnings to become the <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/specials/fortunate50/" target="_blank">richest in his field</a> -- all while keeping the title as the <a href="http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/139/139264_tiger_is_worlds_favourite_animal.html" target="_blank">world's favorite animal</a> -- it's a tiger. Among the human race, that iconic figure is Woods, who was actually named after a Vietnamese soldier who saved the life of Tiger's dad multiple times during <strong>Earl Woods</strong>' time in the U.S. Army. Earl later passed the moniker down to his son, Eldrick. Fitting, huh?</p> <p><strong>2. Bronko Nagurski:</strong> Standing 6 feet, 2 inches tall and tipping the scales at 238 pounds, the hefty Bronislau Nagurski lived up to his moniker. Considering he was a running back in the 1930s, when linemen typically weighed in at 210 pounds, Bronko's presence was <a href="http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1011521/index.htm" target="_blank">that much more formidable</a>. While at the University of Minnesota, Nagurski became the first, and only, athlete to be named All-American at two positions in the same year -- at fullback and defensive tackle. As a Chicago Bear (1930-37, 1943), he helped his team to three championships, requiring rings that measured 19-and-a-half inches. (Check <a href="http://images.zales.com/images/popups/zales_ringsizer.pdf" target="_blank">Zales</a> for the comparison.) Is it any wonder why he was also a world heavyweight wrestling champ?</p> <p><strong>3. Catfish Hunter:</strong> <a href="http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/cover/featured/8303/index.htm" target="_blank">Jim "Catfish" Hunter</a> is one of only 17 hurlers to have recorded a perfect game in the MLB (on May 8, 1968 against the Minnesota Twins) -- and the first in the American League since 1922. In his time with the Athletics and Yankees, Hunter won 21 or more games in five consecutive seasons, was honored with the 1974 Cy Young award and became the highest-paid pitcher when he signed with New York in 1975 (shocking). That year, he also became the subject of <strong>Bob Dylan</strong>'s song "Catfish." No one knows the true meaning behind his nickname. Some believe it was just a fictitious story created by A's owner<strong> Charles Finley</strong>, who was in search of a catchy nickname for his future Hall of Famer. But given that Hunter actually shot himself in foot while hunting, it wouldn't be surprising if he tried to shoot catfish, as well.</p> <p><strong>4. Goose Gossage: </strong>In addition to nine-figure salaries, the Yankees have an affinity for animal-named pitchers. This one, however, doesn't look, act or have any relation to a goose whatsoever. (Probably a good thing, considering a goose refers to a female.) But as a play on his surname, Rich Gossage's nickname stuck, as did his dominance on the mound. The nine-time All-Star pitched in 1,002 games and saved 310 -- all on a limited repertoire of pitches. And while geese are typically the prey, Goose was known for intentionally trying to hit batters.</p> <p><strong>5. Moose Dupont:</strong> Andre Dupont, a 6-foot, 200-pound defensemen, was the epitome of brawler. Not professional hockey player. Brawler. After being drafted by the New York Rangers in 1969, Moose played in the Central Hockey League -- a league known for its dirty play -- where he racked up a ridiculous 562 penalty minutes in his first two seasons. When the Philadelphia Flyers took him on in the 1972-73 season, Moose became the defining character of the "Broad Street Bullies," who won back-to-back Stanley Cups in the mid '70s.</p> <p><strong>Honorable mention. Wacey Rabbit:</strong> Of the AHL's Providence Bruins. Greatest. Name. Ever.</p> <p>Any current or former athletes with animal-inspired names deserve a place on this list? Let us know below...</p> 38381 http://img.fannation.com/upload/user_profile/image/976/28/thumb/nicki_jhabvala.jpg 5 NY

Nicki Jhabvala

New York 97928