Like ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman, the Nationals’ new centerfielder Nyjer Morgan is a nicknamer.
No sooner did he arrive to Washington, following a trade with Pittsburgh earlier this year, that he began dreaming up monikers for his new teammates. And he revealed a few of them in a Q&A at the ESPN Zone on Wednesday:
–Willie Harris: “Sweet Ricky Plum”
–Ryan Zimmerman: “Peter Franchise”
–Elijah Dukes: “Cholly Chirp”
–Adam Dunn: “Freddie Physical,” because he “puts a hurtin’ on the ball”
I’m still working on a few other guys, though,” he said.
His own nickname? That dates back to 2000, when he began calling himself “Tony Plush.”
Wearing jeans, a fedora and green sneakers, Morgan also indicated that the Caps’ better guard their ice while he’s around. He moved from San Francisco to Canada to play junior hockey at age 16, and still has a passion for the game, admitting that he got “caught up” in the Caps-Penguins playoff series this year.
So does he still like to lace up the skates? “Believe it, I can still skate,” he said. But what if the Nats find out? “What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”
