THE BACKSTORY
Season’s twists suggest some options to more familiar monikers
The Blue Jays’ nickname game might be strong heading into the weekend when MLB players sport their monikers on their jerseys. That didn’t stop us from taking another run at them based on what we’ve seen this season.
There will be a Lukey Barrels, an Estratosphere and, if all goes well, a Sanchize on the field for the Blue Jays in their threegame series against the Phillies starting Friday at the Rogers Centre. Yes, it’s Players’ Weekend and for the second year running there will be nicknames instead of last names on the back of each jersey — in the Jays’ case, a powder blue/royal blue colour scheme for the occasion. The nicknames have been hung on the Jays by family, friends and fans. Some were inspired by TV shows. What if they were based on this season alone? We took a shot (with the real nicknames in parentheses, suggestions in italics): JOE BIAGINI (Joe the Great) Joe Relievagini The starting experience didn’t work out. RYAN BORUCKI (Borucki) Buehrle Jr. The similarities with childhood idol Mark Buehrle — consistent lefty, resourceful, not overpowering — are striking. TYLER CLIPPARD ( Clip) Tyler of all Trades In August, the reliever started for the first time in more than 10 years. ALEDMYS DIAZ (Papito) Mr. Second Half He’s batting .289 with eight home runs and 15 RBIs in his last 28 games. MARCO ESTRADA (Estratosphere) Senior Staffer The Jays’ oldest pitcher at 35 could help a contender down the stretch. JAIME GARCIA (Jaimito) Jaime Time A nod to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi who coined the term, to the tune of MC’s Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” when the lefty moved to the bullpen. SAM GAVIGLIO (Gaviglio) Home-Mound Hero His home ERA in 11 starts: 2.68. On the road: 8.36. KEN GILES (100 Miles Giles) 100 The new closer could sport the “100” emoji to signify his perfect record in save situations and 100-m.p.h. heat. LOURDES GURRIEL (Yunito) The Hair Even he says he stands out most in the locks department. CURTIS GRANDERSON (Grandyman) The Vet Continues to earn league-wide respect. RANDAL GRICHUK (Grich) The Hair Pt. 2 His mohawk coincided with a turnaround at the plate. TEOSCAR HERNANDEZ ( Oca) Butterfingers Nice bat, but the defence needs work. DANNY JANSEN Four-eyes Glasses helped the catcher reach the bigs. LUKE MAILE (Lukey Barrels) DJ Walk-off Keeps the clubhouse rocking with his music selections and is responsible for three walk-off wins. TIM MAYZA King of Queen Elizabeth Way Reliever has been recalled seven times from Triple-A Buffalo this year. RUSSELL MARTIN (Le Muscle) Renaissance Man Catcher, third base, shortstop, even left field. BILLY McKINNEY The Joker High-fived air in the dugout after receiving the silent treatment following his first big-league home run. KENDRYS MORALES (Monina) Squints A nod to The Sandlot. Unlike Michael (Squints) Palledorous with his darkframe glasses, though, Morales may actually have to squint after getting rid of the spectacles he wore early in the year. THOMAS PANNONE The Fifth Man Call-up flirted with a no-no in his first start. JAKE PETRICKA (Petey) Iceman The American was a hockey star growing up. KEVIN PILLAR (KP) Superman The centre-field wizard can’t use his preferred nickname because it’s trademarked. AARON SANCHEZ ( Sanchize) Bad Luck Chuck The blisters. The suitcase injury. Can’t catch a break. JUSTIN SCHAFER The Quarterback Passed up college football offers to take the baseball route. JUSTIN SMOAK ( Moakey) All-Star Could be team MVP with 19 home runs, 61 RBIs and a solid glove at first base. RYAN TEPERA (Tep) Last Man Standing The only current Jays reliever who was here all of last season. DEVON TRAVIS (D-Trav) The Comeback Kid Healthy and hitting after too many injuries and demotions. RICHARD URENA (Richi) Tulo 2.0? Behind Gurriel in the pecking order at shortstop, but getting it done when he has the chance and likely to stick in September.