Fansided

MLB power rankings: Top 30 nicknames of all-time

By John Buhler

Aug 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) smiles after a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) smiles after a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds former player Pete Rose points to his hat while speaking during his Reds Hall of Fame induction ceremony before a game with the San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds former player Pete Rose points to his hat while speaking during his Reds Hall of Fame induction ceremony before a game with the San Diego Padres at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Pete Rose: Charlie Hustle

The best nickname in baseball also belongs to one of the sports’ most talked about players. Pete Rose is the the all-time hits king, but remains on the permanently ineligbile list for Hall of Fame induction due to betting on baseball.

During his lengthy MLB career from the 1960s to 1980s mostly with the Cincinnati Reds, Rose developed a reputation as the guy who just wanted it more on the baseball diamond. He once drew a walk from Yankees pitcher Whitey Ford in a spring training game. Rose would sprint to first base. Ford called him “Charlie Hustle” and the nickname stuck.

Rose wasn’t the most athletic ball player, but he would grind his way to 17 All-Star Games, three NL batting titles and three World Series Championships. Though he did win the 1973 NL MVP, his most indelible moment came in a glorified exhibition.

Next: Best MLB player from each state

Rose plowed through Cleveland Indians catcher Ray Fosse at the 1970 All-Star Game to win the game in extra innings. Fosse would never fully recover from the home-plate collision. Rose would have been a first-ballot Hall of Famer in 1992 had he not bet on baseball as the manager for the late 1980s Reds. Charlie Hustle remains the gold standard for how to play any game hard.

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