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The Player To Be Named Later

MLB: New York Mets at Miami Marlins

Giancarlo Stanton….Don’t Call Him Mike  Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins face the Boston Red Sox at jetBlue Park today featuring the likes of non-roster invitees Voisergy Rosa, Austin Nola, Vinny Rottino and Sharif Othman.

Great names all, but none quite as outstanding as Giancarlo Stanton, who remained with most of the rest of the 40 man roster at the Marlins spring home in Jupiter (the city, not the planet).

In the now grand tradition of National League East Division outfielders spending a number of years using a childhood nickname before reverting back to their given name a few seasons later, Giancarlo Stanton stands tall.

When Giancarlo Stanton was drafted by the then Florida Marlins (and a name change was in their future as well) and for the first few years he played in the major leagues he was known as Mike.

Mike Stanton is a fine name for a righthanded relief pitcher, and it served the ex-Yankees and Braves hurler well, but not as the name of a multi-tooled outfielder with incredible power. Giancarlo Stanton sounds correctly like a guy who hits massive home runs.

And as cool as “Melvin Upton, Jr.” sounds, sorry B.J., it’s no Giancarlo.

Brian Mullen

Brian is a Boston native and art school student who took a summer job with a baseball team and never left. He has been employed by the Boston Red Sox in one capacity or another since 1982. He also follows and blogs college basketball. Follow him on Twitter @BostonBrian2015

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