1

Babe Ruth

Image: Diana Polekhina

Who better to start this article than The Sultan of Swat himself? Babe Ruth is the closest thing to baseball royalty, arguably the most famous player in American history. Born George Herman Ruth in 1895, he showcased his talent early on: By 19, he had signed with the Baltimore Orioles but was soon sold to the Red Sox. However, it was after joining the New York Yankees that the Bambino truly made his mark, becoming what many consider the greatest baseball player of all time .

2

The Curse of the Bambino

Image: Steshka Willems

Remember when we mentioned that the Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees ? We forgot to highlight a rather infamous detail: For many fans, this transaction sealed the fate of the Boston-based team, subjecting them to an 86-year championship drought known as The Curse of the Bambino . According to believers, the controversial sale doomed the Red Sox , who had won five of the first fifteen World Series before Ruth’s departure. Fortunately, the team finally broke the curse in 2004 by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals.

3

Mickey Mantle

Image: Brandon Mowinkel

When Mickey Charles Mantle was a child in Spavinaw, Oklahoma, he likely had no idea he would one day earn some of the most colorful nicknames in baseball history , including The Commerce Comet or simply The Mick . Few players have ever lived up to such titles as Mantle did. To this day, he is considered one of the greatest sluggers of all time, winning the American League MVP award three times and earning his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1974.

4

Reggie Jackson

Image: Tim Gouw

eginald Martinez Jackson, better known as Reggie Jackson —or by his iconic nickname, _Mr. October_—is considered baseball royalty. Not only did he help four of the greatest teams in Major League Baseball secure multiple championships, but he also hit an impressive 563 career home runs over 21 seasons in Major League Baseball. Along the way, he earned 14 All-Star selections and won the American League MVP award in 1973. Today, Jackson serves as a special advisor to the Houston Astros, a team he helped win the 2022 World Series.

5

Have it in the bag

Image: benjamin hershey

Did you know that one of the most famous American idioms comes from baseball? To have something in the bag means being completely confident in achieving victory or a desired result. Interestingly, this phrase originates from a superstition held by the New York Giants in the 1910s. According to this ritual, if the Giants were leading late in the game, they would carry their equipment bag off the field, believing it would secure their victory.

6

Teddy Williams

Image: Josh Hemsley

Ted Williams’s greatness shouldn’t be recognized only in the world of baseball. Not that his career was anything short of formidable— Teddy Ballgame is still considered one of the greatest hitters of all time and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1966 . However, Williams also holds the honor of being a World War II veteran , bravely serving his country and inspiring thousands of American soldiers deployed overseas.

7

Willie Mays

Image: Lesly Juarez

If you happen to visit Queens , you’ll see that this NYC borough still reveres the name Willie Mays . During the height of his career, Mays could often be found engaged in a friendly game of stickball with neighborhood kids. Beyond his kindness, Mays was also a legendary player, and his famous over-the-shoulder catch during the 1954 World Series is still considered one of the greatest plays of all time.

8

Joe DiMaggio

Image: Winston Chen

Joe DiMaggio’s life has been the subject of many documentaries and books , cementing his status as a pop culture icon. Just think of all the songs that reference this legendary player, from Simon & Garfunkel’s "Mrs. Robinson" to Madonna’s "Vogue." In fact, his colorful life often overshadows his baseball prowess—a remarkable feat, considering DiMaggio’s career is one of the most successful in the sport’s history. Joe led the New York Yankees to 10 American League pennants and 9 World Series championships , a record surpassed only by fellow Yankee Yogi Berra.

Speaking of…

9

Yogi Berra

Image: Chris Briggs

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra played 18 of his 19 MLB seasons with the New York Yankees , a team that still considers him one of the greatest players to ever wear the pinstripes. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, Yogi's exceptional skills as a catcher cemented his place in baseball history. But beyond his athletic prowess, he is also remembered for his unique way with words, famously coining phrases like, "It ain't over 'til it's over."

10

Hank Aaron

Image: Pixabay

Known by his nicknames Hammer and Hammerin’ Hank , right fielder Hank Aaron spent his legendary career representing the city of Milwaukee , first with the Milwaukee Braves (before their move to Atlanta) and later with the Milwaukee Brewers. Aaron accomplished what many thought was impossible when he broke Babe Ruth’s career home run record , a title he held for 33 years until 2007.

1

The Big Apple, New York City

Image: Jermaine Ee

New York may be famous for bagels, pizza, and hot dogs , but its nickname has nothing to do with fruit. The term "Big Apple" started popping up in horse racing circles in the 1920s, when jockeys and trainers used it as shorthand for the city’s top racetracks. A sportswriter named John Fitz Gerald picked it up and popularized it in his columns. Decades later, the city even used it in tourism ads, and the rest is history!

2

The Windy City, Chicago

Image: Dulcey Lima

Chicago’s nickname might sound like a weather forecast, but the truth is more colorful. Newspapers in the late 1800s used "Windy City" to poke fun at local politicians , suggesting they were full of hot air. Sure, Lake Michigan’s winds played a part, but it was really the dig at the city’s bragging that made the phrase hit home!

3

The City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia

Image: Catherine Kerr

This one is actually quite simple, actually. Philadelphia’s name comes from the Greek words for love, phileo, and brother, adelphos . The city’s founder, William Penn, wanted it to be a place of religious freedom and fair treatment, even making agreements with Native Americans over land. In short, the nickname reflects the city’s values. Beautiful, isn't it?

4

Sin City, Las Vegas

Image: David Vives

We don’t really need to explain why Las Vegas is called Sin City: casinos, nightlife, and more than a little temptation . You know how the saying goes, what happens in Vegas… But the roots go deeper. In the early 1900s, Block 16 downtown had a reputation linked to illegal businesses, and the label stuck. Nevada later legalized gambling in 1931, and that sealed Las Vegas’ image as the country’s playground of vice.

5

The Big Easy, New Orleans

Image: Harold Wainwright

New Orleans picked up the nickname "The Big Easy" in the 1970s as a playful contrast to New York’s "Big Apple." The first to use it was a columnist, and later a novel and film with the same title helped spread it. The name suits the city well because its music, food, and culture have an effortless, laid-back feel that still defines New Orleans today.

6

Beantown, Boston

Image: Lance Anderson

Boston baked beans are behind this nickname , but you probably already figured that out. Now, let’s look at the deeper layer here: during the colonial era, molasses poured into the city as part of the triangular trade, and it flavored both rum and beans. Traders nicknamed Boston "Beantown" back then, though today it is mostly tourists who still use the term.

7

The Emerald City, Seattle

Image: Luca Micheli

Seattle’s leafy scenery gave it the name Emerald City. Surrounded by water, rain, and forests, the city is filled with parks like Discovery Park and the Arboretum, which keep it vibrant throughout the year. The nickname highlights Seattle’s natural beauty, providing a refreshing contrast to its reputation for gray skies.

8

The Mile High City, Denver

Image: Owen Lystrup

Denver sits at an exact elevation of 5,280 feet above sea level, which is why it’s called the Mile High City. Fun fact about this: at Coors Field, the local baseball stadium, a row of purple seats marks the one-mile line . Visitors often notice the altitude the first time they climb a hill or sip a beer, so the nickname is more than just clever branding. Do you like this city?

9

The Magic City, Miami

Image: Pontus Wellgraf

Miami earned the nickname Magic City not for magicians (that would’ve been a fun story, right?), but for how quickly it grew . In the late 1800s, Julia Tuttle, a local landowner, helped bring the railroad and development to the area. In no time, Miami transformed from farmland into a bustling hub. We could say it was magic, don’t you think?

10

The City of Angels, Los Angeles

Image: Henning Witzel

Some nicknames have more intriguing stories, but that’s not the case for LA. Los Angeles’ nickname is about as straightforward as they come. "Los Angeles" translates directly from Spanish as "The Angels." In short, this elegant nickname mirrors the city’s name itself, one that’s full of angels, apparently!

1

The sweet tooth

Image: Michelle Tsang

What's your favorite ice cream flavor? With so many options available today, it's hard to choose just one, right? Like us, Thomas Jefferson also loved ice cream. Not only that, he's often credited with making this treat famous in America.

The third US president discovered his sweet tooth during his time in France. It's impossible not to imagine Jefferson doing important paperwork with a bowl of ice cream on his desk. In addition, it's said that he often served the sweet dessert to his guests at the White House.

And that’s not all! A recipe for vanilla ice cream, handwritten by Jefferson himself, is still kept to this day in the Library of Congress.

2

The handshaker

Image: Erika Fletcher

It seems that Jefferson was a man who set trends and influenced fashions. Ice cream wasn’t the only custom that spread across the country thanks to him.

Today, the handshake is a very common and popular form of greeting. But this was not always the case. Before Jefferson's presidency, handshakes were less frequent, and people often used other formal greetings, such as bowing.

Jefferson argued that handshakes were horizontal and, therefore, more democratic. This belief illustrates how he integrated his principles into every aspect of his life, even small habits and customs.

3

The friend

Image: Joanna Kosinska

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams first met in 1775 at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Despite their differences, they liked and respected each other. Together, they were part of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and became even closer when they both served as diplomats in Europe during the 1780s. Jefferson later served as vice president to his friend Adams when the latter took office in 1797. Although they drifted apart after Adams' presidency, they reconciled in 1812, and their regular letters returned.

As if all this weren’t enough, they both died on the same day. And not just any day—both passed away on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

4

The polyglot

Image: Thomas Kelley

Can you speak more than one language? It's hard not to be impressed when you see a bilingual person developing their skills, right? And then there are those who speak three or four languages!

In this regard, Jefferson’s case is remarkable. The third president of our country was fluent in no less than six languages! In addition to his mother tongue, English, and the widely spoken French (which he used during his time as American minister to France in the 1780s), Jefferson also had strong skills in Latin, Ancient Greek, Italian, and Spanish. Furthermore, some sources suggest he also knew some German. A true polyglot!

5

The musician

Image: Baher Khairy

During his childhood in Virginia, Thomas Jefferson developed a strong interest in and passion for music. Music was a fundamental element in his home, and this art form was also a main part of his education.

The Father of the Declaration of Independence played the violin perfectly. His father, Peter Jefferson, taught him to play this instrument when Thomas was very young, and his talent only grew over the years.

Less frequently than the violin, Jefferson also played the cello—another stringed instrument known for its sophistication.

6

The architect

Image: Richard Hedrick

Jefferson's talents were even more varied! He was not only a polyglot and a musician but also an accomplished architect.

Thomas Jefferson played a major role in the design and construction of his plantation home in Virginia, the magnificent Monticello, which would later earn him one of his famous nicknames. Inspired by classical and Renaissance architecture, Monticello is considered one of the greatest works of American architecture. To add further merit to his work, Jefferson began the design of the plantation and its house in 1768, when he was only 25 years old!

Fun fact: Today, Monticello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7

The family man

Image: Heike Mintel

If you're a family person, you'll love this aspect of Thomas Jefferson.

In addition to politics, business, and his many talents, Thomas Jefferson was also a devoted family man—and, we must say, he had quite a large family. But how big was his family? Jefferson was born to Peter Jefferson and Jane Randolph Jefferson and was the third of ten siblings.

In 1772, he married Martha Wayles Skelton, with whom he had six children. However, only two daughters survived to adulthood: Martha and Mary, who also gave him many grandchildren.

8

The farmer

Image: Stephen Radford

Agriculture was central to Jefferson's vision at the national policy level and also in his personal life.

Monticello was not only his home but also a 5,000-acre plantation where he experimented with different crops, including wheat, corn, tobacco, and various vegetables and fruits.

In addition, he was also an enthusiast of flower gardens. His interest in horticulture led him to import seeds and plants from around the world to experiment with in America!

9

The pet lover

Image: Dawn McDonald

Among his many qualities, his appreciation for animals truly stood out.

At Monticello, he had a variety of farm animals, including geese, turkeys, chickens, horses, cows, and pigs, all of which played an important role in maintaining the plantation. But his true love was for horses. He loved riding and spending time with them, both at his home in Virginia and even during his presidency.

It’s also said that he had a soft spot for birds. One of his most beloved pets was a mockingbird named Dick, who, according to historians, was allowed to fly around the house. Cute, isn't it?

10

The astronomer

Image: Matthew Ansley

Jefferson's interests and passions were not limited to earthly matters. In fact, he was an amateur astronomer. The stars and the cosmos sparked a deep curiosity in him.

In line with this interest, he developed a taste for telescopes, through which he could approach that mysterious object of study. He had several telescopes in his house and would spend hours and hours observing the night sky.

This inclination played a key role in the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806), as it’s believed that Jefferson provided precise astronomical guidance and instructions to the two explorers.