Best nicknames in Kansas City sports history

Best Kansas City sports nicknames #2

Leroy Paige – Monarchs: “Satchel”

There are few nicknames as well known as former Kansas City Monarchs star “Satchel” Paige. In fact, his nickname was so well known that most folks have no idea what his real name is. That is something special when a nickname becomes a persona. Satchel Paige was certainly special.

Satchel Paige is one of the all-time greats of the game of baseball. He was one of the single most dominant pitchers of his era, in both the Negro Leagues and in Major League Baseball. He’s a Hall of Famer and a measuring stick for greatness. Yet I’ll bet you couldn’t find five of your friends who knew that “Satchel” wasn’t really his name.

Of course, Paige would become best known for his years with the Cleveland Indians and St Louis Browns. However, his path to greatness started in Kansas City with the Monarchs. He was one of the tremendous players whose talent would overcome the racial barriers of his time. Truly a special player.