Origins of team names

[Krona]

An additional topic on this thread

How about some new names for teams? either teams moving, expansion, or just a name change, that would hold some meaning rather than being a marketing ploy? (ex: miami heat nickname finalist: the miami jedi....true story) all sports, all levels.

i'll start...

washington redskins= washington hilltoppers or DC hilltoppers (capitol hill of course)

[Krona]

a coupla cheapies:

a non nickname name change that i think is due: indiana colts

toronto raptors=toronto raptors. drop the dino- craze barney and bring in a man eating bird for the mascot

[Krona]

I'll try not to stray too far, but:

the buffalo bills: could they try to actually work something into their identity that has something to do with their name. for chrissakes, i spent a good portion of my childhood thinking a "bill" was a type of buffalo. so much to work with, so little done. lets see some guns, some wild west fun in there.

back on target: an new name for the expos when we had hopes of luring them here to portland=the portland expeditions...the name is obvious, but ties in to the history of the club...expos/expeds...ehhh

[Gothamite]

I always thought that if the Redskins were to change their name, they should go with Potomacs. It's classic, has a link to the area and Native American heritage, and could be shortened to the headline-friendly "Macs."

[pflava]

a coupla cheapies:

a non nickname name change that i think is due: indiana colts

toronto raptors=toronto raptors. drop the dino- craze barney and bring in a man eating bird for the mascot

I'm totally with you on the Colts. That is one state nickname that would make complete sense.

[yankeeman161]

I don't know about the Nets, but the Jets were named because of its proximity to JFK airport.

EDIT: They played at Shea Stadium originally, that's what I meant.

the mets originaly played at the polo grounds in 1962 and 1963 before moving to shea in 1964, the jets played from 1960-1963

[appleclock]

Found this after a quick Google search. I'm sure it is just a high level overview, and that the members here could probably provide a lot more detail on their team's nickname origins.

Origin of nicknames

Johnny Canuck? Are you kidding me?

And since when were the Columbus Blue Jackets named after "a flying insect"??

The Blue Jackets were named after Ohio's contribution of soldiers to the Union Army during the Civil War! The blue coats that the soldiers wore were manufactured in Columbus!

[Krona]

can i get some love on the bills? why is buffalo such a cop out when it comes to names. yes, we get it, buffalo is the name of your city and an animal

[clannhoran]

Detroit is one of a handful of cities (circa. 1920's-1930's) to name their sports franchises with a sort of "theme" or matching names

Detroit - Lions, Tigers

Chicago - Cubs, Bears

New York - Giants, Giants

St. Louis - Cardinals, Cardinals

The St. Louis football Cardinals were the Chicago Cardinals back then, so the name link is only coincedence.

[mustangdmg]

I said this before and I'll say it again.

Arizona Cardinals. No.

Arizona Outlaws. Yes.

[Discrim]

Actually, they were the Racine Cardinals first.  Discrim knows this!

True, but that was after Racine Street in Chicago. Not Racine, Wisconsin as some mistakenly believe (not you, but perhaps others on this board).

yeah...don't get me started on that one naming yourself after your street's fine and dandy if you're in some sort of city league, but nationally a city or state name works better. we're still trying to sort out the theory that the Lions were the Racine Tornadoes at one time (some say that was so, some shoot that down)

[pcgd]

Actually, they were the Racine Cardinals first.  Discrim knows this!

True, but that was after Racine Street in Chicago. Not Racine, Wisconsin as some mistakenly believe (not you, but perhaps others on this board).

I thought that...Racine, Wisconsin did have a team or 2 didn't they?

[axlrush]

Cool note: Only one city has a "color-code" for three of the four major sports leagues. Pittsburgh's three teams each wear black and gold - Pirates, Steelers, and the Penguins

Pittsburgh's city flag:

[yankeeman161]

Expos- after Exposition '67 (World Fair)

Phillies- A native of the city of Philadelphia

Braves- original owner was a northeastern political orginiaztion member

Marlins- named by owner Wayne Huizenga saying it was a fierce fighter.

Mets- short for Metropolitans, a team for the New York Metro area

Cubs- had a number of young players one year so it stuck

Cardinals- first in 1900 for red scheme, bird came later

Reds- short version of Red Stockings and Redlegs, other names used

Astros- in honor of the biggest NASA facility in Houston.

Pirates- after they stole players from other teams.

Brewers- cause Milwaukee is a big beer town

Diamondbacks- snake is very common in Arizona.

Rockies- after the Rocky Mountains

Dodgers- for the trolleys that crosses Brooklyn

Padres- for the Roman Catholic Priest that founded San Diego in the 1700's

Giants- after a game, a manager said that they were big like Giants

Orioles- Maryland's state bird

Red Sox- took the name Red Stockings, which the Braves had first

Yankees- formerly Highlanders who played on a hill, newspapers found it easier to call them Yankees

Devil Rays- Fan Contest, almost called Mana Rays

Blue Jays- Fan Contest, combined all of the city's team colors

White Sox- originally White Stockings, like Cubs like the also wear

Indians- after Louis Sockalexis, the 1st Native American to play baseball

Tigers- they wore black & orange striped socks in the beginning

Royals- for Kansas City's Negro league team, the Monarchs

Twins- Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities)

Angels- Los Angeles (City OF Angels)

Athletics-for the first team, the Philadelphia Athletic club in the 19th Century

Mariners- the areas great Maratine history

Rangers- for the states law enforcement agency

and Nationals- ?????????????????????????????

[Gary]

Actually, they were the Racine Cardinals first.  Discrim knows this!

True, but that was after Racine Street in Chicago. Not Racine, Wisconsin as some mistakenly believe (not you, but perhaps others on this board).

yeah...don't get me started on that one naming yourself after your street's fine and dandy if you're in some sort of city league, but nationally a city or state name works better. we're still trying to sort out the theory that the Lions were the Racine Tornadoes at one time (some say that was so, some shoot that down)

wrong, they were never from Racine Stree. They were originally the Portsmouth Spartans. Which coincidentally started out being sponsored by the Green Bay Packers. They moved to Detroit and took the name Lions because it had the cat theme as the Tigers.

[Gary]

and Nationals- ?????????????????????????????

the Nationals was the name of the Washington Senators before the official change to the Senators

[IceCap]

a coupla cheapies:

a non nickname name change that i think is due: indiana colts

toronto raptors=toronto raptors. drop the dino- craze barney and bring in a man eating bird for the mascot

ah, no.

[amare32]

Hmm...well, the Suns' name is obvious. But DYK the origin of their mascot? The team made it's debut in PHX in 1968, the same year the PHX Zoo opened its gorilla exhibit. Hence the Suns' Gorilla.

[Krona]

toronto raptors=toronto raptors. drop the dino- craze barney and bring in a man eating bird for the mascot

Now, it doesnt have to be man eating, but a raptor as a bird is much classier than a dinosaur. c'mon...its a mascot for a pee wee soccer team

[Krona]

its the only way to save the city of toronto some dignity. its early enough. in thirty years some kid will be on website talking about the random trivia about the raptors and their lame mascot. plus dinosaurs didnt wear shorts