OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 15: Nelson Cruz #23 of the Seattle Mariners bats against the Oakland Athletics in the top of the third inning at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on August 15, 2018 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 22: Robinson Cano #22 of the Seattle Mariners stands on the field before a game against the Houston Astros at Safeco Field on August 22, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Astros won the game 10-7. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
Seattle Mariners nicknames 11-15
“Cubiche” (P Roenis Elias)—According to the Urban Dictionary, “cubiche” means “someone who emigrated from Cuba.” The second definition says it’s a derogatory term used by non-Cuban Latin Americans. Elias is from Cuba, so he presumably wouldn’t be using it in a derogatory way. In the book “Unbecoming Blackness: The Diaspora Cultures of Afro-Cuban America,” author Antonio Lopez writes that cubiche “connotes a close, often humorous, in-group recognition.”
“Mito” (P Erasmo Ramirez)—Ramirez is another player using his childhood nickname. “Mito” means “myth” in Spanish. Ramirez said it plays off his first name, but I don’t know how.
“Slim” (CF Cameron Maybin)—Maybin wanted to go with “Spider-Mayb” because when he used to play for San Diego announcer Dick Enberg called him “Daddy Long Legs.” “Spider-Mayb” was a natural progression. That’s a little too close to “Spider-Man,” though, so Maybin is going with “Slim,” which is what his dad calls him.
“Nolo” (INF Robinson Cano)—Last year, Cano’s Players Weekend jersey had “Don’t You Know” on the back, which was pretty cool. “Don’t You Know” was bestowed upon him by New York Yankees announcer John Sterling back when Cano played in the Bronx. This year, he went with “Nolo,” which is a childhood nickname given by his aunt. He says people who really know him still call him that.
“The Warden” (RP Adam Warren)—As Warren tells it, a few years ago he was asked by an autograph-seeking fan to sign his nickname. Warren didn’t have a nickname, but the fan said he saw online that Warren’s nickname was “The Warden” so that’s what Warren signed on the ball. It’s the only one out there. Down the stretch this season, Mariner fans would like to see Adam “The Warden” Warren pitch like Norm “The Sheriff” Charlton did during the team’s 1995 playoff run.
