Matsui has definitely gotten off to a good start with his new team, but if Sciosa keeps tempting fate by playing him in the outfield, he may not finish it. Quite honestly, I don't think his knees will last regardless, which is why I think the Yankees let him go.

I'd imagine Matsui will get a huge ovation on Tuesday. He definitely deserves one.

to recap:

- I miss Matsui, but the inevitable implosion of his knees will justify the Yankees decision. But I'll give him a standing O tomorrow.

- Hoffman is a HOFer, not a no-doubter by any stretch and miles behind Mo. But he's probably the second best short reliever of his generation, for better or worse.

- Best nickname ever, it isn't even close: The Mad Hungarian.

I have always liked the nickname "Scooter" -- it seems to fit Rizzuto well because of what
it evokes in terms of motion and youthful imagery.

I, too, will be cheering for Matsui when he is announced tomorrow. I am glad that he is doing well in Anaheim.

If I was there, I'd be standing and clapping for Matsui as well. He'll always be a Yankee to me. I was at the stadium when Tino came back with the Rays and the place treated him properly. I hope the same applies to Matsui, who not only was a consummate professional for his years in NY, but was also a damn good hitter.

I hope he goes 3-for-4 in a losing effort.

My two favorite nicknames - Mark "The Bird' Fidrych and Dennis "Oil Can" Boyd.

El Duque wasn't a bad nickname, either.

Matsui's one of my favorite players. Definitley my favorite Yankee acquisition of the last decade. I hope he stays healthy and keeps raking. I was never down with the Godzilla nickname, that is, I don't think I used it much. I mostly referred to him by his first or last name, though I enjoyed Sterling's "thrilla by Godzilla!" calls.
The nickname seemed, I dunno, too easy to me, like a lazy advertising gimmick. I don't think it befit the player.

Speaking of lovable giants, just looked up at the TV, and there's CC sitting with Regis & Kelly who look like little muppets next to him. Cats don't get much cooler than the big dude.

[4] great call on Oil Can, and Duque.

The nickname thing is too broad. Many, many, , many. A lot depends on your team and/or your favorite players. Many fans don't even know most of the monickers. And political language aside, the practice has subsided in recent years due to a lack of creativity on the part of the rooters and a plethora of ego among the players. And forgeddabout Sterling and his stupids, like Giambino.

That aside, and sticking close to home-unimaginatives first-Joe D, The Mick, DJ, Tex, A-Rod, Paulie and Little Willie. Not too much work.

Classics-Babe, Marse Joe, Casey, Yogi, Scooter, Catfish, Gator, Chairman of the Board, Donnie Baseball, and Sandman.

Performance-Sultan of Swat, Mr. October, Old Reliable, Poosh em Up.

Disses-Mr. May, Fat Toad, Worthless Poo, The Two Mantles, A-Roid.

More Imaginative-The Old Perfessor, Bulldog, Bye Bye, Snuufy, Tugboat, Whiskey Slick, (2) Moose, The Mummy, Puff, Man Nobody Knows, Twinkle Toes

Non-Performance-Mr. May, Slick, The Village Idiot, American Idle.

My Man(tle): Mickey, Mr. Muscles, The Commerce Kid, The Comet, The Mick, and The Two Mantles.

Cannot pick a best, but for today: Corkhead.

yeah matsui was one of my favorites too.
i hope his knees don't crumble and he has a nice year.

el duque was one of my favorite nicknames.

i also like the crime dog

I'd still rather have Matsui than Nick Johnson.

Yay for Matsui .... classy, professional, great hitter.

THIS is the ultimate nickname, because it is (also) attached to such a quirky REAL name.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lordbr01.shtml

I really like Bob Ferguson's nickname, Death to Flying Things.

I dislike "nicknames" that are merely shortened names or adding -y or -ie to a name.

Standing O for Matsui.

[10] Bris Lord? Better keep him away from sharp objects! You know what...his real name is even better than his nickname.

No love for The Iron Horse?

And sometimes a guy performs below the potential of a really great moniker. I'm looking at you, Ramiro "El Brujo" Mendoza.

I always loved the nickname "The Kid" because it has always seemed to me that he was anything but a "Kid" and I'm a big fan of irony. . . . On the other hand I don't like "Unit" but not because the word "unit" evokes what that guy appears to be. Is that ironic?

And the Iron Horse for performance. How could I forget?

As for looks, how about Goose? And not to evoke Sox ire, The Splendid Splinter?

It's obvious that I'm a big fan of Gehrig's other nickname . . .

My favorite is still simply Connie Mack. Or "Three Finger" as it was so literal.

It starts and ends with "Mr. October"..though Donnie Baseball a close second!

bonus soccer nickname: Jorge Costa from the Potuguese national team was simply called "The Tank"