The sociological significance of nicknames: the case of baseball players
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ABSTRACT:
This paper seeks to increase awareness of the sociological meaning, usage, and significance of nicknames in American society. The author suggests that nicknames give sports fans a feeling of intimacy with the sports hero. Over the past three decades there has been a gradual decline in the number of nicknames given to major league baseball players. The author suggests that this trend is caused by a change in the fans' perceptions. The players are now considered entrepreneurs instead of folk heroes and thus are less deserving of nicknames. Examines the sociological meaning, usage and significance of baseball players' nicknames. Hypothesizes that there has been a decline in the use of nicknames as a result of changes in the fans' perceptions of players from folk heroes to entrepreneurs. Data were collected from the Baseball Encyclopedia. Results support the hypothesis that the use of nicknames has declined since 1920 but especially after 1950. Concludes that nicknames reflect the degree of identification, closeness and intimacy that fans feel toward baseball players.
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