Chicago Cubs: What if the fans gave nicknames based on performance?

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There’s been lots of talk about the Chicago Cubs nicknames leading up to Player’s Week. We’re more honest than nice; as we pick the Cubs nicknames based on performance.

I would be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to my second annual Chicago Cubs Fan’s Weekend! To learn more about this weekend or to see last year’s nicknames click here (Chicago Cubs: Fan’s Weekend means we get to pick the nicknames ). After looking at the “nice” nicknames players have given themselves over the past couple of weeks, it was refreshing, to tell the truth about Chicago Cubs player performance via nicknames for the second annual Fan’s Weekend!

So fans, sit back and enjoy the 2019 Fan’s Weekend nicknames for the Chicago Cubs and be sure to hit the link at the bottom to see the outfield, pitchers and manager’s nicknames. Play ball!

INFIELD

1B Anthony Rizzo – Let’s face it. Riz hits the ball. So what if it reminds me of the 17th Hole at my country club; two-strike approach or down on his knees, he’s getting the hit and lately some dingers too. I think this nickname is more of a compliment than a jab at Rizzo’s golf style. Rizzo’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Tiger.
2B Tony Kemp – The young ward Kemp knows how to play offense: lightning speed for those infield choppers as he outruns the throw to first and power hits with “The Bat.” You know the bat that looks like its bigger than him. I thought I was seeing Tommy La Stella again. Kemp’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is The Batman.
3B Kris Bryant – Bryant’s numbers haven’t looked this good since 2016. Lately against the San Francisco Giants, he timed that greatness for when the Cubs were in trouble. If we’re completely honest, lately Bryant’s been bobbling balls on defense at third base. Bryant’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is K.Bobble.
SS Javier Baez – When he’s on base, he’s a threat. So why doesn’t he walk more? Baez just about leads the league in strikeouts and needs more walks to balance that stat. Baez needs to get more offense going in his game. I hope this nickname helps him to remember the ‘o’ in offense, cause it’s really been missing lately. Baez Fan’s Weekend nickname is El Mag_.
2B Addison Russell – Russell is back in the lineup after a month-long stint in Triple-A. Maybe he couldn’t afford to buy dinner any longer for his minor-league teammates? Well, welcome back! Russell’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Big Spender.
C Willson Contreras – Contreras was surging in stats when he pulled his hamstring and is now just a bench ornament. Contreras’ Fan’s Weekend nickname is Hamsick.
C Jonathan Lucroy – Lucroy has been on so many teams, they have to lay out his jersey, so he remembers what team he’s playing for now. Of course, that doesn’t mean he sucks; he’s just seasoned. Lucroy’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Lucky.
C Victor Caratini – That pit bull look of his makes players step back. I like Caratini because he is the prototypical catcher; tough, aggressive but with a great arm for throwing out runners. Caratini’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is The Gun Show.

Outfielder nicknames for Fan’s Weekend

Last season, CF Albert Almora Jr., made this list with the great catches he had in the outfield and powerful presence he had on offense. This season, Almora is missing catches in the outfield, and his hitting is too sporadic to be counted on in the clutch postseason competition. My how things have changed for the Cubs outfield. Without further ado, the 2019 Fan’s Weekend nicknames for the boy’s in the outfield.

LF Kyle Schwarber – Schwarber has been in and out of Cubs manager Joe Maddon‘s lineup so many times, he should have whiplash. He’s been left field, catcher, DH, and leadoff man for the Cubs. On a positive note, Schwarber tends to find the right stuff at the right time to help his team and recently led the team in dingers. Schwarber’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Shwar-bomb.

RF Jason Heyward – Heyward has had a resurgence of late and has been a hot hitter for the Cubs. If he can keep it going into September, it will fare well for the Cubs run for first place in the Central. Homer’s, base hits, bunts, choppers, dribblers or the walk; Heyward is back as a hit for Cubs. Heyward’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Hitman.

CF Ian Happ – Happ has been a powerhouse since coming back from Triple-A. Happ’s batting and fielding are some of the best we’ve seen from him since he began with the Cubs. Although he was a little quiet against the Giants, Happ’s ready to finish this season on a high note and our nickname is based on all the adversity he’s faced this past year. Happ’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Grateful.

RF Nicholas Castellanos – If there is one player we can’t stop talking about, it Castellanos. He has been a monster at the plate and has filled the space in RF honorably. I sometimes wonder if Castellanos would have gotten to the Cubs earlier in the season, perhaps we would be in a more favorable spot in the standings and Castellanos would be looking for another nickname like ours. Castellanos’ Fan’s Weekend nickname is Late-Surge-MVP.

(Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) /

Fan’s Weekend Nicknames for the Cub’s Pitchers

I belong to several Chicago Cubs Groups on social media, and most of the groups agree about the Cubs bullpen pitchers and possible nicknames to include: Dumpster Divers, Done, BS-pen and others that are not printable. We’ve seen some positives come from Cubs pitching lately and we’ve seen some disasters. Here are the 2019 Fan’s Weekend nicknames for pitchers.

Jon Lester – Yes Jon has had some bad games, and he’ll be the first to admit it. When he gets his act together, there is no stopping this Texas Tornado, who fights bases-loaded situations with no outs and wins! Now that’s a fighter! Lester’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Scrapper.

Yu Darvish – For all the people who talked crap about Darvish last year, I love it when he conquers and destroys other teams and makes his detractors look foolish. Recently he blew up against the Giants, but that game was an anomaly. He has been one of the Cub’s best this season, time and again. It would be helpful for his team to give him some wins for as hard as he’s pitched. Darvish’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Ghengis.

Kyle Hendricks – There have only been a few teams that have figured out Hendricks when he’s on the mound. The ones that haven’t figured him out, he takes to school like students of the game. Hendricks’ Fan’s Weekend nickname is still The Professor.

Jose Quintana – Do not screw with this young man or he will make you pay. Just the way he faces those batters head-on, shoulders forward, says, “I dare you to try and hit. Come on, try it”. Quintana is destroying the competition and proving to be the only consistent Cubs hurler in the bunch. Quintana’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is The Punisher.

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Cole Hamels – I think, and I may be proven wrong down the line (and that’s okay with me – cause Cubs win) that we have gotten the best out of Cole Hamels. There is reason that the back office folks were indicating he could move on right after he came off his injury and are considering a Philly reunion next season. Hamel’s has not been the same since coming off the injury. Hamel’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Philly Fodder.

Pedro Strop – Strop has fallen hard. Between giving up multi-run leads and filling bases with runners, Strop has not looked good recently. There is minimal trust to put him out there when you could put Wick or Ryan out there with much more confidence. He might as well start counting steps if he is going to walk that many batters. Strop’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Pedometer.

Craig Kimbrel – In a shout out to “The Game of Thrones” we got the guy who makes other teams shake, and I love it! It’s like we got our own Josh Hader but better cause we get that wild scarecrow look before every pitch and scares the heck out of batters who have never seen it live at-bat. I feel like we’re getting our money’s worth every time he pitches. Gosh, he reminds me of Tormund! Kimbrel’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is The Wilding.

Tyler Chatwood – Other than a lackluster showing against the Giants recently, Chatwood has been, well, dare I say, “dependable.” So I’m going to make this short and sweet because Chatwood has been the GO-TO this season. Chatwood’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Money.

Brandon Kintzler – Kintzler did an excellent job against the Giants the other night. He’s sometimes up and sometimes down just like the rest of the bullpen. More times than not, Maddon is calling him up, simply because Kintzler gets the strikeout. It just so happens to be the first letter of his last name as well. Kintzler’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is K (backward).

Derek Holland – Man I was ticked that Holland did not show up against his former team the Giants the other night ala Hamels/Phillies. Let’s face it though; he usually carves up left-handed hitters. Holland’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Southpaw Assassin.

Has anyone noticed that some of our new bullpen acquisitions all have Hollywood names? It looks like Epstein is an action movie fan. I wonder if we’ll be getting a Rambo soon? Anyway, here they are, the Cubs Hollywood trio:

Rowan Wick – Wick has been incredible on the mound. He takes out batters almost as good as his Hollywood counterpart – John Wick. He’s gotten our attention with a killer fastball. Does he have a dog? Wick’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Mr. Wick.

Kyle Ryan – Of course, he can come in and save the day, that’s what the Hollywood Ryan’s do. Ryan and Wick have been the one-two punch Maddon has been looking for out of the bullpen whenever there is “Clear and Present Danger” at home plate. Ryan shows no fear as he “Hunt’s for a ‘Blue’ October.” Ryan’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Jack Ryan.

David Phelps – When there is no hope, it’s time to call on the “Mission Impossible” man himself: Phelps. Phelps carries the brand well as he eliminates targets for outs; should he choose to accept it. Phelp’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Jim Phelps.

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Fan’s Weekend Management nicknames

We couldn’t do Fan’s Weekend without addressing some of the management of the Chicago Cubs. Cubs Manager Joe Maddon has been in the news about trying to be more hands-on with the players, getting a new contract, and staying Chicago. When his team struggle Maddon is roasted, and when the Cubs win, all is forgiven.

President of Chicago Cubs Baseball Operations, Theo Epstein has no problems talking to the media these days. He’s given every last drop of blood he has and taken all the chances to see if this team can make it to the postseason. Here are the 2019 Fan’s Weekend nicknames for management.

Joe Maddon – I’m not quite sure if it’s compassion or gambling addiction that makes Maddon keep a struggling pitcher in the game after they give up a crucial walk, run or hit. It’s like watching a horror movie, and you know where the killer is but the characters don’t. You want to warn them, but you are powerless as a viewer, and so they fall.

Right now, all the Cubs fans are trying to warn Maddon about keeping struggling pitchers in the game. The fans are yelling to Joe, “Take him out of the game!” Fans don’t see simple mistakes or errors or chances. The first screw-up that fans can plainly see, they’ll say, “Change him out.” But Maddon never sees it or ignores it or gambles that the pitcher will get better and they never do.

Then another offensive play happens against us. At this point, Maddon may now take the pitcher out, but in some instances, he has gone another batter before removing a pitcher. Just remember, when a pitcher goes south in a game the first time Joe, you have to take him out of the game, or you’ll be getting this nickname express this postseason. Maddon’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is Free Agent.

President of Chicago Cubs Baseball Operations Theo Epstein – I’ve got no issues with Theo Epstein’s performance this season. Everything the Cubs needed was given to them. Need a new closer? Here you go! Need some new batters? Here you go! Not only does he respond, but he gets great players to respond with.

Look at the active players Epstein’s recently gotten the Cubs: Kimbrel, Wick, Ryan, Phelps, Holland, Kemp, Castellanos and Lucroy. That is a fantastic list of players that have shot the Cubs in the arm as they run for the finish line. Epstein has given Maddon all the tools to win. I sure hope that the Rickett Family appreciates the job Epstein has done this year.

Next. Next year's bullpen could look wildly different. dark

Cub’s writers give Epstein a lot of heat, but they should also remember to give praise when it’s earned. We don’t need to win the series again to see Epstein has made all the deals and greased all the skids this season to make this team great. He is the best. Epstein’s Fan’s Weekend nickname is The Baseball Mogul.

That’s it this season for Fan’s Weekend nicknames. What nicknames would you give some of your favorite Cubs?

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