Former NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson announced Wednesday that he is running for mayor in his hometown of Sacramento. We here at the 10 Spot wish KJ all the best.
Still, we can't help but think Johnson's chances would be enhanced if only he'd had a catchier nickname. Not just something to help with name recognition, but an indication that he was long destined for public office.
In that vein, here are some athletes with nicknames indicating a position with the state:
Dennis "El Presidente" Martinez, former pitcher
Sean "The Mayor" Casey, MLB first baseman (with a nod to the NBA's Fred "The Mayor" Hoiburg)
Antoine "The Judge" Joubert, former University of Michigan basketball player
Gary "Sarge" Matthews, former MBL outfielder and father of Gary Matthews Jr.
Karl "The Mailman" Malone -- It might not be an elected position, but postal workers are federal employees, and history shows it's best not to make them mad by excluding them
Loren "Boss of the Moss" Roberts, PGA golfer -- Every political party needs a kingpin
Robert "Chief" Parish, former NBA center -- As in Hail to the Chief
Adolph "Baron of the Bluegrass" Rupp, legendary Kentucky basketball coach
Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins, boxer -- He would have fit right in with Henry VIII's administration
Edwin "Duke" Snider, MLB Hall of Famer -- Another hereditary position, but power is power
Bob "The General" Knight -- The kind of guy who'd launch a military coup
Arnold "The King" Palmer, also Richard "The King" Petty, LeBron "King James" James -- It's good to be the King
Garry "The Secretary of Defense" Maddox, former outfielder
Serge "Le Sénateur" Savard, NHL great
Faces at the U.S. Open
Comments (306)
Wasn't Steve Mix also "The Mayor"?
Anthony Verna | 03/06/08, 10:43 AM
Report Offensive CommentYou left out Floyd "Money" Mayweather. And since he's making 20 mil at Wrestlemania, I'd say the nickname fits.
DJ C - Pete 3:16 | 03/06/08, 10:44 AM
Report Offensive CommentIt's an old page, but I found it!
http://www.nba.com/sixers/tvradio/ask_marc_and_steve.html
Anthony Verna | 03/06/08, 10:44 AM
Report Offensive CommentPete - That was a good catch on Antoine Joubert.
BoFett | 03/06/08, 10:45 AM
Report Offensive Comment"It's good to be the king". Classic line, Pete. You get an A just for that.
DJ C - Pete 3:16 | 03/06/08, 10:45 AM
Report Offensive Comment(Oh, yeah. . . Steve Mix played for the 76ers, Bucks and Lakers in a long NBA career. His daughter played at Villanova a few years ago.)
Anthony Verna | 03/06/08, 10:45 AM
Report Offensive CommentRon "The Penguin" Cey - Oh yeah, that's not very flattering.
Mr. Adams | 03/06/08, 10:46 AM
Report Offensive CommentIt's good to be the king - Nice one Pete, any line taken out of Mel Brooks gets a thumbs up
vgtwoomph | 03/06/08, 10:46 AM
Report Offensive CommentWhat about Reggie "Minister of Defense" White?
FGB | 03/06/08, 10:46 AM
Report Offensive CommentWhat about Tom "Butt Chin" Brady?
SDSportsGirl | 03/06/08, 10:47 AM
Report Offensive CommentRoger "Surgeon General" Clemens
Hart - | 03/06/08, 10:48 AM
Report Offensive CommentWasn't MJ called his Royal airness
vgtwoomph | 03/06/08, 10:49 AM
Report Offensive CommentHow about Babe Ruth and Sultan of Swat
vgtwoomph | 03/06/08, 10:50 AM
Report Offensive CommentYou left out Floyd "Money" Mayweather. And since he's making 20 mil at Wrestlemania, I'd say the nickname fits.
DJ Chris - SitH Lord
-------
How does that fit in with this theme? Ditto for Mr. A's "The Penguin"? Now, Minister of Defense, that would work.
The 10 Spot | 03/06/08, 10:51 AM
Report Offensive CommentRicky "El Diablo" Bobby
Ven Diesel | 03/06/08, 10:52 AM
Report Offensive CommentRex "White House Janitor" Grossman.... will that work?
Hart - | 03/06/08, 10:52 AM
Report Offensive CommentKen 'the Snake' Stabler. (and all the later imitators)
Snake is always an appropriate description for a politician.
BoFett | 03/06/08, 10:52 AM
Report Offensive CommentWasn't there a pro wrestler called the Undertaker? That could be the equivalent of a tax collector...
Clef, Sir Treble of - Knight | 03/06/08, 10:53 AM
Report Offensive CommentDon't forget former Vancouver Canucks goaltender "King" Richard Brodeur.
Tim in NY | 03/06/08, 10:53 AM
Report Offensive CommentSorry Pete, I'm "Thematically Challenged" this morning.
Mr. Adams | 03/06/08, 10:53 AM
Report Offensive CommentAdd a comment
Remember to keep it clean. Bad words will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed. More Guidelines