This morning, Joe Budd over at Amazin’ Avenue (one of my favorite Mets sites), wrote this “Where did Kirk Nieuwenhuis come from? If I thought it was hard to learn how to spell Francoeur, it's going to be a nightmare season if Nieuwenhuis becomes something.”
Which got me thinking about weird names. And off the top of my head, I could think of a few strangely named Mets players (at the major and minor league level). Here’s a rough list…
Mets
Jeff Francoeur – OF - I know his family is French, but I’m just not used to the combination of “c-o-e-u-r” and don’t think I ever will be. I always think I spell his name wrong.
Omir Santos – C - “Omar” would be one thing. “Omir” is something different. Only 208 people pop up with the name Omir on Facebook.
Tobi Stoner – P - I mean…come on!
Bisons
Ricky Bones – Coach – This guy?
Derrick Ellison – P – There are too many letters in the “Derek.”
Chip Ambres – OF – Anyone (nick)named “Chip” must have been mocked in middle school.
B-Mets
Mako Oliveras – Manager – What is he, a shark?
Emary Frederick – P – Um…Emary? I don’t even know where that comes from. Heck, he’s from Florida!
John Madden – P – BOOM! FOOTBALL!
German Marte – P – Have you met his brother, Polish? They used to not get along, but now they’re OK.
Jenrry Mejia – P – But hey, he’s good.
Elvys Quezada – P – Was he named for The King?
Kirk Nieuwenhuis – OF – Is that “new-when-house” or…um…something?
St. Lucie
Tim Teufel – Manager – I always found this name funny. Like he’s a character on a children’s show or something.
Reese Havens – IF – Yum.
Brahiam Maldonado – OF – I will name my first child Brahiam. Just don’t tell my future wife.
Sand Gnats
Jimmy Johnson – P – Nice hair.
Jean Luc Blaquiere – C – Oui oui!
Imbewer Alvarez – IF – I’ve got nothing here. I’ve never seen this name before. Ever.
Cyclones
Dock Doyle – C – Awesome name.
Jordany Valdespin – IF – I’m going to go by “Andrewy” from now on. Just add a “y” to your name and you can be equally cool.
Kingsport
Yohan Almonte – P – If he ends up half as good as Johan, I’ll be happy.
Guillaume Leduc – P – Another name I can’t pronounce. Is that “Gee-yam-me”?
GCL
ZeErika Hall – OF – I knew he existed, but I just couldn’t find him on any of the rosters. He was drafted this year. And he may have the greatest name of them all. (H/T to Ted Berg, a.k.a. OGTedBerg) – Update: Further investigations finds him on the roster of the Gulf Coast League affiliate.
Jeurys Familia – P – Sounds like a really bad television show on Univision. And let me tell you, there is some quality programming on that channel.
Lachlan Hodge – P – Lachlan spends his free time hunting kangaroos in the brush down under.
Jimber Mueses – P – My goodness. This GCL team might beat out the B-Mets for greatest names.
Nelfi Zapata – C – Anyone named Nelfi is OK in my book.
Aderlin Rodriguez – IF – Aderlin! Aderlin! Aderlin!
Wilfredo Tovar – IF – By far my favorite name.
Ray Van Gurp – IF – No, this is my favorite.
Marinus Vernooij – IF – Actually, it’s this one.
There were a few others along the way that I snickered at, but didn’t think belonged on the list. Did I miss anyone? How about some historic silly Mets names? Let’s hear them in the comments.