Thursday Thought: Ever notice how many legends have a one-of-a-kind surname?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Ruth isn't all that uncommon I know two unrelated people (to Babe or each other) with that last name. Seaver, if you allow for spelling variations, is pretty mundane as well. Marichal isn't unusual in Latin countries.

Also

Williams,
Bonds,
Robinson,
Young,
Johnson,
Wagner, etc.

are far from unique.

[prewarsports]

As a kid I always thought it was so weird that the FIRST name in my big and heavy Baseball Encyclopedia was Hank Aaron. The number one home run hitter and the number one person of all 19,000+ people to play the game alphabetically, it i was like it was supposed to happen (in my 12 year old mind).

[Yoda]

Yaz.

[tschock]

I believe Eppa Rixey is the only HOFer and MLB player who has a unique first and last name in all of MLB history.

Edited: With all the influx of Asian and Latin American players, I serious doubt he is the only player with a unique first and last name. But he is the only HOFer with both as it relates to the HOF and all of MLB history.

[Carter08]

Originally Posted by tschock

I believe Eppa Rixey is the only HOFer and MLB player who has a unique first and last name in all of MLB history.

Such a great name.

[cjedmonton]

Originally Posted by Carter08

Such a great name.

Indeed…and a budding chemist as plan B if the pitching gig didn’t pan out.

[Shoeless Moe]

Bench
Kaline
Maris
Mathewson

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Yaz.

Yaz's grandson, Mike, plays for the Giants.

[perezfan]

Maybe Clay Dalrymple, John Boccabella and Art Kusnyer were once slated for greatness.

Or perhaps the unique name thing doesn't apply to Catchers?.

[rajah424]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

Ruth isn't all that uncommon I know two unrelated people (to Babe or each other) with that last name. Seaver, if you allow for spelling variations, is pretty mundane as well. Marichal isn't unusual in Latin countries.

Also

Williams,
Bonds,
Robinson,
Young,
Johnson,
Wagner, etc.

are far from unique.

Do any of the Ruth’s you know play in the majors?

[mrreality68]

Never thought about it but it is interesting now that it is mentioned

Many are common like mentioned but some unique ones to like some mentioned.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Who is the greatest Smith of all time? Jones?

[clydepepper]

AARON - STILL not appreciated enough.


...and CLEMENTE too!!

[cjedmonton]

Originally Posted by clydepepper

AARON - STILL not appreciated enough.


...and CLEMENTE too!!

Kid brother Tommie excludes Hank.

Roberto was on the list until 1998 when Edgard debuted.

Just a fun little exercise. No real meaning behind it.

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Who is the greatest Smith of all time? Jones?

I would imagine the greatest Jones is Chipper.

Smith? Ozzie & Lee are in the Hall but Reggie was better.

[Butch7999]

A cursory search suggests there's been only one Overall and two Orvals...

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Tabe

I would imagine the greatest Jones is Chipper.

Smith? Ozzie & Lee are in the Hall but Reggie was better.

Cleon!