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Sunday, February 22, 2009

Nick Hundley: The whitest name in baseball

But that name is just too white. Nick Hundley has to be the whitest name in baseball. He is to white names what Two Weeks Notice is to chick flicks. Hugh Grant and Sandra Bullock? Come on.

The Padres top three position players, by my estimates, are all black guys. Plus they may be the only team in history to employ a Reggie Cleveland All-Stars double play combo, when Khalil Greene and Marcus Giles teamed up for the 2007 Padres. Reggie Cleveland All-Stars are white guys with black-sounding names, a Bill Simmons invention, for those who don’t click links. And their white manager is named Bud Black. Yeah, the Padres have had a lot of successful black players, but so has everyone else. What’s really impressive is that when they go white, they still go black.

Ummmmmmm….

Gamingboy Posted: February 22, 2009 at 06:33 PM | 54 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: padres

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1. Avoid running at all times.-S. Paige Posted: February 22, 2009 at 08:17 PM (#3083174)

And here I always thought Henry Blanco was the whitest name in baseball.

Yes, that was awful. My apologies in advance.

2. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: February 22, 2009 at 08:21 PM (#3083176)

I don't think anyone can beat this guy.

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=15527

3. G.W.O. Posted: February 22, 2009 at 08:31 PM (#3083179)

Should we even be talking about this?

(snapper: nice link)

4. Greg (U)K Posted: February 22, 2009 at 08:39 PM (#3083181)

They should just compromise and sign a bunch of Mexican players.

5. Frisco Cali Posted: February 22, 2009 at 08:52 PM (#3083183)

Roy White. He's gotta be white.

-snapper, that isn't real is it?

6. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: February 22, 2009 at 09:22 PM (#3083198)

-snapper, that isn't real is it?

I just searched "white" on B-ref. I don't have the kind of skills to fake that.

7. Jim (jimmuscomp) Posted: February 22, 2009 at 09:25 PM (#3083199)

Reggie Willits

8. Howie Menckel Posted: February 22, 2009 at 09:33 PM (#3083201)

then there's ex-Mets bullpen coach Joe Pigmentano

:)

Not sure which of these two 'teams' minor leaguer Thurston Rockmore played for, but he makes it either way.

Carlton Lord got a cup of coffee for the Phils in 1923.

A year later, Ignatius Muich got his cup with the Boston Braves.

And of course, the legendary Hall of Famer Cornelius Alexander McGillicuddy, though he chose nicknames on the first and last names.

9. Crispix Attacks Posted: February 22, 2009 at 09:34 PM (#3083203)

I think the whitest name in baseball is probably "Logan Kensing". "Cole Rohrbough" and "Brent Lillibridge" are up there too.

10. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: February 22, 2009 at 09:40 PM (#3083206)

Troy Trevor Tulowitzki

11. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: February 22, 2009 at 09:41 PM (#3083210)

Or, alternatively, this guy

12. Crispix Attacks Posted: February 22, 2009 at 09:51 PM (#3083212)

The Padres top three position players, by my estimates, are all black guys.

This sentence does not sound at all like he's talking about their top three historical players. I was trying to figure out who the Padres' three star black position players were. "Jody Gerut? I guess...and...who else do they have? Josh Barfield? He thinks Josh Barfield is better than Adrian Gonzalez?"

"Nick Hundley" isn't a particularly white name. There are plenty of black athletes named "Nick". Now, "Logan", "Cole", "Chase", "Brent", "Dustin" - those are whitebread to the max.

13. Howie Menckel Posted: February 22, 2009 at 09:51 PM (#3083213)

A contender with a twist:
active minor leaguer Reinaldo Albino

http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=34355

ex-Pirates farmhand David Beigh is a little off, I'd say, as is ex-Twins prospect Ivory Jones.

Former Mariner "Wan" Bernhardt might qualify.

14. Alex meets the threshold for granular review Posted: February 22, 2009 at 09:53 PM (#3083215)

Dustin Pedroia.

15. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:02 PM (#3083219)

I thought Pedroia might be a Spanish last name at first.

Not too many non-whites with Slavic names. If there was a Duncan Yastrzemski, he would beat all comers; even Steve Comer.

16. David Concepcion de la Desviacion Estandar (Dan R) Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:09 PM (#3083223)

snapper, how in God's name did you find that guy.

17. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:18 PM (#3083227)

Not too many non-whites with Slavic names. If there was a Duncan Yastrzemski, he would beat all comers; even Steve Comer.

Thus post #10

18. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:22 PM (#3083230)

Cole Hamels

19. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:24 PM (#3083232)

Yeah, Ducksnort, but you're forgetting about Troy O'Leary.

20. Avoid running at all times.-S. Paige Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:24 PM (#3083233)

Andy Stankiewicz

21. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:29 PM (#3083238)

Yeah, Ducksnort, but you're forgetting about Troy O'Leary.

What is the opposite of the Reggie Cleveland team? If there isn't one, I propose Troy O'learly as the founding member. Plus, Tulo's middle name has got to worth a few points.

22. Crispix Attacks Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:34 PM (#3083241)

What is the opposite of the Reggie Cleveland team? If there isn't one, I propose Troy O'learly as the founding member.

OK, if we can spell O'Leary correctly.

My favorite NBA members of the Troy O'Leary All-Stars are Nick Van Exel and Kirk Snyder.

23. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:37 PM (#3083242)

I think Simmons had a Troy O'Leary All Star team. But I think it consists of African-Americans with Irish names and is even more specific than what you propose. Lastings Milledge won't make that team.

24. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:38 PM (#3083243)

He's not an athlete, but the Blair Underwood team would work.

25. Guapo Posted: February 22, 2009 at 10:44 PM (#3083247)

Chase Utley

Eric Hinske

Ryan Braun

26. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: February 22, 2009 at 11:22 PM (#3083267)

Dirk Hayhurst

Colby Lewis

Cody Ross

Connor Robertson

27. Sox Machine Posted: February 22, 2009 at 11:34 PM (#3083276)

Lance Blankenship.

28. Howie Menckel Posted: February 22, 2009 at 11:46 PM (#3083281)

Tulowitzki comes to the plate to the tune of Procol Harum's greatest hit.

Not really, but that would be amusing...

29. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: February 23, 2009 at 12:17 AM (#3083294)

snapper, how in God's name did you find that guy.

Just entered "White" into the player search at B-Ref and scanned for humorousness.

This guy is pretty good too, but I bet his last name is pronounce "wheat-el-man" not "white-el-man". If it was the latter, though, it might be a tie with Maximo.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/w/wietewh01.shtml

30. Golfing Great Mitch Cumstein Posted: February 23, 2009 at 12:30 AM (#3083298)

I think Simmons had a Troy O'Leary All Star team. But I think it consists of African-Americans with Irish names and is even more specific than what you propose. Lastings Milledge won't make that team.

Lynch is an prominent Irish (somewhat French) name that I notice. Benni McCarthy is the star of the team.

31. Crispix Attacks Posted: February 23, 2009 at 12:33 AM (#3083299)

Good call. And the 76ers' defensive stopper George Lynch particularly stood out because he shares his full last name with a prominent, extremely white guitarist.

32. Jeff K. Posted: February 23, 2009 at 01:00 AM (#3083306)

The Reggie Cleveland All-Stars are not "white guys with black names". It's any guy with a name that makes you think he's a different race than he is. Troy O'Leary is a RCAS. Khalil Greene is, too.

33. Tom Nawrocki Posted: February 23, 2009 at 01:05 AM (#3083309)

The late Mel Kaufman headed up the NFL wing of the Reggie Cleveland All-Stars.

34. Herr Mike Posted: February 23, 2009 at 01:10 AM (#3083314)

Howie Kendrick?

35. Sleepy supports unauthorized rambling Posted: February 23, 2009 at 02:57 AM (#3083351)

what, no love for "dallas mcpherson"?

36. Crispix Attacks Posted: February 23, 2009 at 03:08 AM (#3083354)

Dallas McPherson is a pretty white name, that's true.

So is "Trent Durrington". And "Troy Glaus", "Darin Erstad" and "Casey Kotchman". The Angels' corner infield factory just churns these guys out.

37. Miko Supports Shane's Spam Habit Posted: February 23, 2009 at 03:08 AM (#3083355)

38. RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: February 23, 2009 at 03:24 AM (#3083363)

The late Mel Kaufman headed up the NFL wing of the Reggie Cleveland All-Stars.

With Dick Lane?

39. FrankM Posted: February 23, 2009 at 03:55 AM (#3083375)

Chip Ambres

40. Roy Hobbs of WIFFLE Ball Posted: February 23, 2009 at 04:05 AM (#3083376)

I always thought the whitest-sounding name was former minor league middle infielder Whitey McSupremacist. Oddly enough, he actually was from the Dominican Republic.

41. Best Regards, Larry M. Posted: February 23, 2009 at 04:13 AM (#3083379)

This guy is pretty good too, but I bet his last name is pronounce "wheat-el-man" not "white-el-man". If it was the latter, though, it might be a tie with Maximo.

Nah, because it's a nickname. And Maximo White really is unbeatable for "whitest name".

42. Exploring Leftist Conservatism since 2008 (ark..) Posted: February 23, 2009 at 04:26 AM (#3083380)

And Maximo White really is unbeatable for "whitest name".

David Duke would like a recount.

43. Eternal Posted: February 23, 2009 at 04:42 AM (#3083385)

How about Chase Headley and Joey Devine?

44. Designated Sitter (GGC) Posted: February 23, 2009 at 04:43 AM (#3083386)

The late Mel Kaufman headed up the NFL wing of the Reggie Cleveland All-Stars.

With Dick Lane?

Lane's nickname was Night Train! He's no RCAS.

45. flournoy Posted: February 23, 2009 at 05:32 AM (#3083408)

I think Wonderful Terrific Monds III is black, and I don't know if he qualifies, but I just want to throw his name out there anyway.

46. Tripon Posted: February 23, 2009 at 06:03 AM (#3083423)

James Loney, Matt Kemp, Russell Martin, James McDonald. The Dodgers sure have a lot of players with white sounding names.

47. Forsch 10 From Navarone (Dayn)

Posted: February 23, 2009 at 07:32 AM (#3083447)

Kent Tekulve.

48. Harry Balsagne's transparent jealousy

Posted: February 23, 2009 at 08:11 AM (#3083449)

Historically:

Freckles McCracken, Lotion McCream, Whitey "Honky" O'Fay, Al "Grape Juice" Bino, and (who could forget?) the starting shortstop for the 1930 Cincinnati Reds, Karlhein "Aryan Reichmaster" Deutsch.

49. Sox Machine Posted: February 23, 2009 at 08:27 AM (#3083451)

Freckles McCracken

Could be Quinton McCracken's grandfather. Doesn't count.

50. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: February 23, 2009 at 09:34 AM (#3083463)

Germany Schaefer, Harry Heilmann, Adolfo Phillips, and Herman Reich. How soon they forget.

And isn't it a "coincidence" that Ty Cobb's highest-ever average was .420?

51. wjones Posted: February 23, 2009 at 09:59 PM (#3084020)

Orel Hershiser IV, Adam Wainwright, Derek Lilliquist.

52. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: February 23, 2009 at 10:27 PM (#3084051)

Casey Kotchman?

53. WhoWantsTeixeiraDessert Posted: February 23, 2009 at 10:42 PM (#3084064)

Walt Weiss

54. Dingbat_Charlie

Posted: February 23, 2009 at 10:51 PM (#3084074)

Brad Komminsk

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Nick Hundley: The whitest name in baseball

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