legendary athlete number 23 nickname legendary athlete number 23 nickname

The Pittsburgh Steelers' veteran strong safety is known not only for his phenomenal head of hair, but also his hard hitting style of play, coupled with his overall intelligence. "Too Tall" is a pretty obvious nickname for a guy standing 6-foot-9, but that's not abnormal for basketball. Norman "Boomer" Esiason was a four time Pro Bowl selection over his fourteen year career, but few have ever referred to the 1988 MVP by his real first name. Sometimes, the new moniker comes from an inside joke with . Free, a 1980 All-Star with a rainbow jumper, receding hairline and tremendous name. Hearns, one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers in history as well as one of its most fearsome punchers, is a natural fit for a nickname like, "The Hitman." In NBA history, 237 players have worn the number, whether it was for a full career or for a single game, according to Basketball Reference. Family first. The name was given to him when he was 15, after he notched an impressive triple-double, but does the origin really matter? Cream of the Crop: The man with the hands, The San Francisco Treat, Flash 80. 1750 ne 167th st, north miami beach, fl 33162; the woman in the window rotten tomatoes; pima county jail money on books; ap stats unit 1 progress check . It was Yankees teammate Thurman Munson who gave him the "Mr. October" nickname, and Jackson backed it up, hitting three first-pitch home runs in a clinching Game 6 win in the 1977 World Series. No one is entirely sure what the genesis of Payton's nickname is, other than the fact that he picked it up in college. The shortest player ever to lead the league in rebounding, Barkley out-muscled and out-positioned his opponents, routinely. The nickname was coined by Ken Harrelson while Thomas was a member of the Chicago White Sox early in his career. Technically, this isn't even a nickname because Hagler, annoyed that announcers did not refer to him by his preferred nickname, eventually changed his real name to "Marvelous Marvin Hagler." As with many nicknames, its genesis is secondary to how famous its namesake made it. Number of nicknames: 15+ officially (possibly up to 26), Cream of the crop: The Big Shaqtus, The Diesel, Shaq Fu, Wilt Chamberneezy, The Big Baryshnikov. Number of Names: Five+ (how many insanity puns can be drawn up? Still, beyond Michael Jordan's own greatness while wearing No. Find Me In Brains Riddle. Ben Simmons suffers back injury during rehab from knee injury, Warriors' Draymond Green makes accusation against media regarding Europeans, Florida QB Anthony Richardson drops huge athletic marks at Combine, Jerry Jones shares surprising details on Cowboy stars, Grizzlies' Brooks suspended one game for technicals, Former All-Pro to leave 49ers, test free agency, Grizzlies suspend Ja Morant in wake of latest incident, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. withdraws from WBC due to knee injury, Grizzlies Brandon Clarke suffers torn Achilles, out for season, Report: Brad Hand joins Rockies on one-year deal. Williams himself, likes his nickname to this day, and even has "white boy" tattooed on his knuckles. Real Madrid captain Raul wore 7 at the time and so Beckham, ever the expert at self-promotion and marketing, opted for the vacant No.23, in honour of Jordan. Give Orange. "It's Sunday afternoon and Tiger's on fire today" is much more catchy. After playing for a minor . Additionally, his ability to survive and remain in good health twentyyears after an HIV diagnosis is nothing short of magic. Of his worst nicknames, though, we choose "The Big Aristotle.". But it was actually one he had carried with him since high school when his coach bestowed it on him after a long, winding touchdown run. 25. Unfortunately, he has thrown the most interceptions of any NFL quarterback. With a professional record of 47-0, Mayweather has a couple of great nicknames that do his success justice. To many, "The Greatest" defined greatness in every facet of life. BASKETBALL URBAN LEGEND: Allen Iverson was sued over his nickname of "The Answer.". David told us that he would like the number seven, but that he would never ask for it with Raul in the side, Real Madrids former sporting director Jorge Valdano told AS. Throughout his career, Liddell was known for keeping a cool head at all times, whether he was preparing for a fight or in the ring competing. But it's so unique, and the athlete connected to it so great great enough that he could reasonably be called the greatest all-around baseball player ever that it ends up belonging in any conversation about iconic monikers. Tuesday, February 28, 2023 . You'd be enraged, right? Wilt Chamberlain (13) Let us start our list of the most popular numbers in sports with the number 13. Wayne Gretzky might be the sport's greatest player, but Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, in many respects, was its most popular. In the Bible, Numbers 23:23 contains the phrase What hath God wrought, which was also the first message sent in code by Samuel Morse in 1843 and if you add up the numbers of the year Kurt Cobain was born (1967) and died (1994) you also get 23. Those same players likely can't match accomplishments with Pierce, nor can they measure up in the nickname department. 2. August 10, 2021 9:00 am. The legendary talent earned his fair share of intimidating nicknames, few of which truly detailed his actual prowess. Although his career as a basketball player ended many years ago, Michael Jordan's legacy lives on. You can use these funny NBA nicknames to call your players. Long after her successful career as an athlete, PT Usha was elected as the president of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in 2022 at the age of 58. The ancient Chinese believed numbers conveyed sexuality, with even numbers being feminine, odd numbers being masculine and prime numbers were considered to be the most masculine. Even the crickets are applauding this selection. In layman's terms, Bader is a safe bet to beat anyone but the promotion's best. The seven-time World Series Champion and twelve-time American League home run Champion is number two on this list, but not by much. Magic Johnson is the third man to share this spot on our list. Threeof the most famous are PGA Tour star (and world class womanizer) Tiger Woods, basketball star turned businessman Magic Johnson, and NFL quarterback turned commentator Boomer Esiason. View Reports-/5-RATE QUIZ. He doesn't get mentioned often as a "best player of all time" candidate, but go browse his statistics and you'll find that the last man to hit .400 for a season does in fact have a very legitimate claim to that crown. Is "The Say Hey Kid" a great nickname? Hall of Fame player Alex English deserves some recognition for wearing No. Lane finished his career with 68 interceptions and a reputation as one of the most violent tacklers in the league. His first 589 carries in the NFL stands as the record for longest start in the league without a fumble. Every bit of 6-foot-4, Lemieux had a build usually associated with lumbering enforcers. Stabler was a villain for any football fan who disliked the Raiders, and there were plenty of those outside of Oakland. Cream of the Crop: Peaches, Squeaky, Dennis The Menace. The name was later picked up by commentators and analysts. Bring the cinema experience home with new movies and old favourites. Former Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal had a lot of nicknames throughout his career, including "Diesel," "The Big Cactus," and "Shaq Daddy.". After a move to Cincinnati, he rushed for 1,094 yards and 756 yards, with six and seven touchdownsrespectively, in 2012 and 2013. Our love for the title "King James" is like a bear trap; only one that's been left out so long that it's rusted shut. Cream of the Crop: TheAnimal (Muppet-inspired of course), TheFlyingTomato. After a nearly non-existent 2009 season, he looked impressive for the New England Patriots in 2010 and 2011, running for 1008 and 667 yards with 13 and 11 touchdowns respectively. The Ruud Devil is a fitting one as well for the retired Dutch footballer, who remains the second-highest goal scorer in Champions League history with 60 since retiring this past May. If you answer "no" to one or both, then you probably don't like it. Alain Prost. He's Magic, plain and simple. 23 Other. Earnhardt was everything that the handle implied, and he was also one of the most popular drivers in the sport for many years. 23 on his back. Ryan Bader, a former "The Ultimate Fighter" winner, is always a contender in the UFC's Light Heavyweight division. Is it all that surprising that a guy like Rose took what was supposed to be a slight against him and turned it into his nickname? The most famous person to wear the number, and also the first genuine superstar to wear it, was Michael Jordan. De La Hoya was destined for big things when he represented the United States at the 1992 Olympics, and everyone knew it. David Silva from Manchester City wears that number. A lot of these athletes have worn other numbers as well. 51. Bad luck. A graceful sprinter with long strides, she dominated Asian track-and-field events for most of the 1980s, winning 23 medals in all, 14 of which were gold. Advertisement. Number of Names: Four+ (new ones every day), Cream of the Crop: High Griffinition, Carrot Hops, The Jambulance. Smart wasn't that great of a player, but he took full advantage of an XFL policy allowing players to put more or less whatever they wanted on their jerseys. Bookmark Quiz Bookmark Quiz Bookmark. From Ted "The Splendid Splinter" Williams to Elvis "Toast" Patterson, nicknames have always been part of sports. The two brothers competed in everything, especially on the basketball court. Out of respect to those influential individuals, fans and pundits have continuously churned up batches of creative nicknames throughout history to highlight admired or despised qualities. Bobby Orr is seen as the game's best defenseman, but Lemieux is widely regarded as the most physically gifted player ever to put on skates. Well, he borrows his friend Ray Robinson's birth certificate so that he can get around the AAU's age restriction and box. Athlete nicknames often are either a modified version of their given name (such as Becks, . News on all your favorite celebs, reality TV, and movies. After calling it quits in 2011, Shaq properly added the nickname "Big AARP" to his repertoire. 9. Cream of the Crop:Crouchinho, El Esparagus, Two Metre Peter, RoboCrouch, Bean Pole. During his prime, former MVP Vladimir Guerrero could hit pitches purposely tossed into opposing dugouts. Cream of the Crop: Super Vlad, Vlad the Impaler, Big Daddy Vladdy, Big Bad Vlad. There is very little that is "royal" or "dignified" about Barkley, and fans have long adored him for it. In only three NFL seasons, Kentucky Fried Lorenzen accomplished more than most starting quarterbacks can hope to achieve in a lifetime. Howe's career spanned five decades, and even Gretzky himself idolized Howe. If you don't think beer and chicken wings pair up nicely with football, I suspect you may be an agent of the N. Nicknames go with athletes like beer and chicken wings go with Sunday afternoon football. Report this user for behavior that violates our Community Guidelines. Michael Phelps, arguably the best swimmer in history, is regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time, not just due to his record-breaking feats, but also due to the longevity of his career.. Born on June 30, 1985, in Baltimore, Maryland, Phelps took to swimming at the age of seven. Larry Jordan was actually the better basketball player when the pair were youngsters and MJ only picked up the sport in order to play with his older brother. Thomas was one of the only power hitters of his era to avoid PED suspicion and had a mastery of the strike zone like few other hitters of his time. A cutting-edge creation. Thing of it is, Jones played football and got the nickname on his first day of practice at Tennessee State because his pants didn't fit properly. T ennis legend Martina Navratilova, who is openly lesbian, has been ousted from the board of Athlete Ally, a nonprofit that promotes LGBT inclusion in sports. Like many things, he made the 23 fashionable again, especially in football, with the likes of Wesley Sneijder, Rafael van der Vaart, Isco, Mesut Ozil and Christian Eriksen all wearing it during their careers. His nickname's origins are obvious. That didn't stop people from complaining about the complimentary but racist nickname however. It didn't matter what route he took; Ali was an impenetrable force in that ring. Twenty-three is the number . He returned to Cleveland in 2014 and won the 2016 NBA title, before joining the LA Lakers in 2018 and achieving another championship with 23 on his jersey. apbpa.org. A list of some of the most popular nicknames in the world of sports, including soccer, football, hockey and more. We spoke to him about the numbers four and 23. QB, Patriots. Sound familiar? Field goals from long distance haven't always been the norm in the NFL, but if you love a dramatic late-game kick, thank "The Toe." As such, a nickname like "The Snake" was perfect for the renegade quarterback. That name morphed into "Dr. J," and the rest, as they say, is history. I could keep rambling off stats but these are some of The Great One's most impressive, and they prove that his nickname is the most iconic of the sports world, as he is, without any shadow of a doubt, the greatest who has ever lived. He currently holds a professional record of 34-5. 5 Best players to wear No. Send a Message. Known for his unbelievable resolve and will, the "Real Deal" was everything his handle implied, and then some. And hip-hop just saved a basketball career. In this article, we will give you the five greatest NBA players who have worn the number in their careers. Similarly, nicknames can be intimidating, humorous or just clever. Robertson is regarded as a man before his time, skill-wise, and is also credited with inventing both the head fake and the fadeaway jump shot. While there are many witty nicknames in the sports world that involve athlete's countries of origin or ancestry, such as Chan Sung Jung "The Korean Zombie" and Krzysztof Soszinsky "The Polish Experiment," a football player and boxer share this spot on the list as a pair of "Nigerian Nightmares.". June 16, 2021 Uncategorized No comments Uncategorized No comments The nickname was coined by Ken Harrelson while Thomas was a member of the Chicago White Sox early in his career. But then again, he's the most famous athlete in the world, so he's probably OK with the trade-off. 1.23 Z. Report. 22: Joey Bats (Jose Bautista) Bautista once did a very funny sketch that was a version of the baseball bat scene in "The Untouchables." However, he was graceful, fast, fluid and supremely skilled, and despite battling injuries his whole career, put up incredible stats. She is the first Indian athlete to win a gold medal in a track event at the IAAF World U20 Championships. Let's see which 25 athletes earned the most nicknames. The move fuelled speculation that Clarke would do that same thing with his number once he retired but that never happened and now DArcy Short wears it. Nicknames go with athletes like beer and chicken wings go with Sunday afternoon football. There has been . But the best ones become iconic and serve as a way of remembering the greats long after their playing days. Clemens won the Cy Young award seven times and the World Series twice. Nathaniel S. Butler/Getty Images. Cream of the Crop: The Sultan of Swat, TheColossus of Clout, The Wazir of Wham, The Mammoth of Maul. Jon Jones has the distinction of becoming the youngest champion in UFC . [texts-excerpt] penalty for cutting mangroves in floridaFREE EstimateFREE Estimate He was Premier League's best player techn. In other words, Ben Zobrist. These are the 25 worst nicknames for professional athletes. When I came back, I thought 45 was perfect because I did have an association with the number. Interesting Nicknames For Larry Bird. A fitting end to a beloved career. 23 Greatest Athletes to Wear No. She also showed the class the first film . 23 represents a legendary athlete with the nicknamebest places to stay in key west for couples. If people didnt believe me for the last 18 months, hopefully they do now, Warne said at the time. After a 12-0 start to his mixed martial arts career, including wins over an aged Keith Jardine and Antonio Rogerio "Little Nog" Nogueira, he suffered two lost bouts to Jon Jones and Tito Ortiz. His era is described as the golden age in basketball history, and he became the star of Indiana state. He also has the highest point per game total with 1.92. Playing on the varsity basketball team, Larry Jordan wore number 45; when Michael made the team, he donned 23 because it was (roughly) half of his brother's number. Known as the Babe to fans, and Jidge to teammates, George Herman Ruth was simply the holiest presence ever to step foot inside a batter's box. Tim Duncan might be the most boring all-time great in any sport. In his prime, nobody freed the beast quite like "Rampage" Jackson. The former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion turned Bellator competitor has a nickname that personifies his fighting style and is one of the most intimidating in the business. Aaron Hernandez. If you're going to be known for your kicking, "The Toe" is one heck of a nickname. His first name begins with the letter "O," and as a 6-foot-5 guard, he was uncommonly tall and physical for his era, dominating smaller players through a combination of size and skill. Nicknames, cool fonts, symbols and stylish names for Legendary - , Legend, , egenry, Legend,, Legendary. Share with Friends Add To Playlist. LeBron James. Aaron . He has a 93 goal lead over Gordie Howe in terms of all time goals, and leads the league in career assists by over 700. ET. His alias, referring to his cold, calculating and ultimately calm style, is an intimidating nickname indicative of a psyche that many athletes wish they had. However, "The Hfck From French Lick" is much more fun, rhymes and calls to mind Bird's humble roots growing up in a small, rural town. Michael initially preferred baseball. Mancini started his career 29-1, and only a four-fight losing streak to end his time in the ring sullied an otherwise sterling record. If your team was playing against Horry, had a two-point lead late in the game and his team had the ball, you were rightfully petrified. The first is David Beckham, arguably the most recognisable sportsman former or current on the planet. NBA. He thrived under pressure and led some of the most historic drives the football world never imagined possible. The 285-pound southpaw was all heart. The number refers to the year 1947 when the riffle was introduced into service with the Soviet Army. On Twitter at @ChrisMuellerPGH please laugh. . The only thing people remember about the XFL is that Vince McMahon created it and that Rod "He Hate Me" Smart was its biggest attraction. by Charlotte Allen 3 . That's right, all of his names were epic. LeBron James has also added immense greatness to the figure with his legendary, title-winning career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Lakers (wearing 23). Carmelo Anthony, Alex Morgan, Dennis Rodman, Tiki Barber, and Ronde Barber, George Foreman, Terrell Owens, and Metta World Peace have all, for better or worse, written . HIGHLAND PARK, IL - OCTOBER 21: A gate with the number 23 controls access to the home of basketball legend Michael Jordan on October 21, 2013 in Highland Park, Illinois. No. The second Nigerian Nightmare is Heavyweight boxer Samuel Peter. 25 References. One of the most courageous, durable, and legendary fighters in boxing history, Holyfield is also the possessor of one of its greatest nicknames. Now number 13 may be considered unlucky by many, but there could not be any lucky number for basketball player Wilt Chamberlain. He wasn't the complete player that Michael Jordan was, but he was every bit the physical freak and dunker. MJ won a total of six NBA titles, six Finals MVPs, five regular-season MVPs, one Defensive Player of the Year award, 10 scoring titles and three All-Star MVPs in his 15-year career with the Bulls and Washington Wizards. Much like Walter Payton, White died far too soon, passing away at just age 43 from complications due to a heart condition. Interest and investment in women's sports have been on the rise in . godfrey family hawaii. Create good names for games, profiles, brands or social networks. Williams' playground style sometimes got him benched, particularly early in his career, and especially in the playoffs, but it also made him wildly popular. The current multi-division World Champion belongs on this list, without any shadow of a doubt. Cream of the Crop: Zorilla, Zobi Wan Kanobe. It represents change, progress, and innovation.In terms of numerology, the number 23 signifies new beginnings, revolution, and transformation. mjk funeral home obituaries; san jose state university graduate programs deadlines Men umschalten. Submit your nickname or copy the best name style from the list. A 7'1" tree with more nicknames than points per game (4.0 career average), Joel Przybilla is a force to be reckoned with; if mostly in the Name Hall of Fame. The school changed its nickname to the Mean Green in Greene's first season there, but it does not appear that this was because of Greene's prowess. The . But due to her southern accent, the word came out sounding like "Penny." End of story. Willie "Hit 'em Where . It still is amazing that a man who stood no taller than 6-foot-4 carved out a Hall of Fame career as a power forward. This is the number to wear if you're a quarterback. Professional sports seems to be the perfect breeding ground for bizarre and hilarious nicknames for athletes. LeBron James has also added immense greatness to the figure with his legendary, title-winning career with the Cleveland Cavaliers and LA Lakers (wearing 23). Globally, however, after Jordan and because of Jordan there are two other standout owners of the No.23. Tatum, one of the NFL's most feared and controversial hitters, was nicknamed "The Assassin" because of his violent, reckless style. One of the best and most intimidating players in baseball history, Johnson's nickname is an obvious one, owing to his towering height and overall presence on the diamond. 2 Coaches. winslow accident today; taches brunes sur feuilles de caoutchouc; . Before there was Tom Brady, there was Joe Montana, and he was the most reliable big-game quarterback the NFL had ever seen. Given that level of performance, "The Dominator" is a fitting title. Shaquille O'Neal - "The Big Aristotle". How can anyone ignore a nickname like Dr. Dunkenstein? Hirsch was a tall, lanky guy with an unusual running style, and it is that running style that earned him the "Crazy Legs" nickname, with some observers suggesting that it appeared his legs were moving in six different directions at once. Much like Magic Johnson, Tiger Woods' real name might as well be Tiger. He took the name from that of one of his favorite fighters, a welterweight from Barbados. Then again, "The Greatest" transcended sports. He is a "champion" in every sense of the word. 7 Jun 1998: Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls walking to the bench duing a time out called during the NBA Finals game 3 against the Utah Jazz at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 23 for the Warriors during his tenure in the Run TMC era with Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin, and with the LA Lakers in his final NBA season (2001-02) when he was a member of the title-winning squad. But rather, the extramarital affair he was allegedly having with his wife's brother's wife. The swimmer . Cream of the Crop: Lionheart, Tarzan, Superman. Heck, he was often more of a superstar cricketer than a baseball slugger. The greatest self-promoter and trash talker in sports history, Ali in his later years was as beloved and recognizable a sports figure as the world has ever seen. Frank Thomas is one of the most prolific hitters in baseball history. His nickname was given to him by a Sacramento Kings media relations staffer, who said his play reminded her of pickup games in Chicago. Number 5 Karl Malone, "The Mailman" Malone, who is currently the second-best scorer of all time in NBA history, earned his nickname . Most would agree that "Penny" was a much more fun nickname for a player who possessed one of the league's most unique combinations of size and skill. Draymond Green's impact and influence on the Golden State Warriors' three NBA championships between 2015 and 2018 will surely make him a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame after he retires. While successfully warming the Giants bench, Lorenzen won a championship and added to his lengthy list of humbling nicknames. There are few jersey numbers that resonate quite like #23, and though the number is synonymous with Michael Jordan, he isn't the only one who wore it. 23, even if it was for a short period during his career. From "Magic" to "Mean Joe" to "The Big Hurt," let's take a look, in no particular order, at the best nicknames in sports history and the athletes who inspired them. Griffey's father was a major leaguer, and father and son hit back-to-back home runs in 1990. He earned six All-Stars and five All-NBA selections, won the 1988-89 Rookie of the Year award, the All-Star MVP in 1995 and the 2002 championship with the LA Lakers. She was a crowd favourite wherever she raced. While he may have had thin legs, thus the fourth nickname, "Bird Legs," Montana had the thickest of hearts. The ten-time All-Pro player finally won a Super Bowl in 1997 with the Green Bay Packers. Legendary nicknames - The most original athlete nicknames. Ranging from the Grandpa of Indian Team to The Little Master, his names continue to endure the test of time. Groza was renowned for his ability to make long kicks, even those in excess of 50 yards, and was also an offensive tackle until an injury derailed that portion of his career. When Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal took the NBA by storm in the mid-1990s, everyone termed them "Shaq and Penny." There are even a shocking number of children's books written by professional athletes. In any case, he did not like the nickname, feeling that it misrepresented him. Jordan played 1054 of his 1072 regular-season games with the iconic 23, and he simply made it one of the most famous numbers in all of sports. Most of the time, sons of athletes don't want to stand in their fathers' shadows, but Mancini, who inherited the "Boom Boom" moniker from his father, Lenny, took it and ran with it and is much more widely associated with it. 23 ever since his career started in 2012 and it is more than likely that he will be the last player in the history of the Warriors to wear that number. He achieved all of these amazing totals but is just 18th in terms of games played in a career. There are plenty of honorable mentions for a list like this. Wayne Gretzky leads all NHL skaters in points by nearly 1000 points. Cream of the Crop: Van the Man, Ruud Boy, The Flying Dutchman. I came in during the World era, so Henry Sanchez, Jovontae Turner, and Guy Mariano are the three most influential skaters in my life besides Kareem Campbell, who came a bit later. This list will detail some of the nicknames in the world of sports that are the most popularfor these three purposes. Grimson might well be the least-distinguished player on this list, but that doesn't matter, because his nickname fit him perfectly. Any real attempt to explain the nickname of one of the NBA's most unrepentant chuckers of the basketball would probably be fruitless. Cream of the Crop: The Flyin' Hawaiian, The Maui Wowie, The Pineapple Express. 23 in NBA history, and he really made the number the important figure it is on basketball fans' minds. Cream of the Crop: Joe Cool, The Comeback Kid, Golden Joe. Jordan wore the number throughout his entire NBA career, except for his return from retirement in 1995 (he wore 45 because 23 was retired) and February 14th, 1990, when his jersey was stolen and he wore a generic Chicago Bulls' jersey with the number 12 on. Michael Jordan is the most iconic No. He had as versatile an offensive game as anyone in the league despite not being a top-drawer athlete and leaper like some of his contemporaries. 3.1 College. One of the NFL's most explosive runners of the past decade, the 2014 Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawk makes our list at number six. He currently holds a professional fighting record of 35-11, but is on a three fight winning streak since his 2013 start with Bellator, which of course followed his three fight losing streak with the UFC. The man many people consider the greatest player of all time doesn't necessarily have a nickname that measures up to his feats on the court. Since then, he has gone 6-2 with his only losses coming to Lyoto Machida and Glover Teixeira. but there are none as clearly defined as Wayne Gretzky is to the NHL.