The Talismanic Power of Names

[nsacpi]

Sandy Koufax is the greatest name in baseball history. I am not talking about Sandy Koufax the pitcher, but Sandy Koufax the name. The power that the name itself brings to a team.

It is clear that certain names can transform a team. They can raise a good team to a championship team. The strongest names are both common and slightly unusual and derive their power through that juxtaposition. Pascual Perez was a tremendous name for the Braves franchise and lifted the teams of that era to levels they would not have otherwise experienced.

Steve Avery was very good too. Which is why I'm pleased to note that Luke Dykstra's middle name is Avery. Talismanic names are more important for pitchers. But a hitter with a good name can help a team too. Jose Constanza is a prime example. Luke Dykstra is already a very good name, but Luke Avery Dykstra is dynamite. And the LAD acronym ain't too shabby, when used in the correct context of course.

The best current Braves name is Luis Avilan. Although Luis the pitcher has had his ups and downs, the name itself has been a consistent power for good as far as the Braves fortunes have gone in recent years. I shudder to think what might have happened to this team without a player with that name.

In most cases talismanic power is derived from the combination of first and last names. But a small number of first names have a unique power of their own. I am referring here to pitchers named Bud or Buddy. The Braves have been operating under a curse since 1995 when the highly deserving Buddy Hernandez was Bobby Cox' last cut out of spring training in favor of the untalismanic Adam Bernero. The magnitude of this mistake has always caused me to temper my admiration for Cox and even this summer is dissuading me from making the pilgrimage to Cooperstown.

All of the above is a long-winded way of getting to the main point. Dilmer Mejia. This name has the potential for being the Hispanic Sandy Koufax. We all need to be watching this young man's progress very closely. With a Dilmer on the roster the Braves could conquer the world. Even with Fredi as manager.

[CyYoung31]

Sandy Koufax is the greatest name in baseball history. I am not talking about Sandy Koufax the pitcher, but Sandy Koufax the name. The power that the name itself brings to a team.

It is clear that certain names can transform a team. They can raise a good team to a championship team. The strongest names are both common and slightly unusual and derive their power through that juxtaposition. Pascual Perez was a tremendous name for the Braves franchise and lifted the teams of that era to levels they would not have otherwise experienced.

Steve Avery was very good too. Which is why I'm pleased to note that Luke Dykstra's middle name is Avery. Talismanic names are more important for pitchers. But a hitter with a good name can help a team too. Jose Constanza is a prime example. Luke Dykstra is already a very good name, but Luke Avery Dykstra is dynamite. And the LAD acronym ain't too shabby, when used in the correct context of course.

The best current Braves name is Luis Avilan. Although Luis the pitcher has had his ups and downs, the name itself has been a consistent power for good as far as the Braves fortunes have gone in recent years. I shudder to think what might have happened to this team without a player with that name.

In most cases talismanic power is derived from the combination of first and last names. But a small number of first names have a unique power of their own. I am referring here to pitchers named Bud or Buddy. The Braves have been operating under a curse since 1995 when the highly deserving Buddy Hernandez was Bobby Cox' last cut out of spring training in favor of the untalismanic Adam Bernero. The magnitude of this mistake has always caused me to temper my admiration for Cox and even this summer is dissuading me from making the pilgrimage to Cooperstown.

All of the above is a long-winded way of getting to the main point. Dilmer Mejia. This name has the potential for being the Hispanic Sandy Koufax. We all need to be watching this young man's progress very closely. With a Dilmer on the roster the Braves could conquer the world. Even with Fredi as manager.

Whelp...

[Tapate50]

I see someone had some free time.

[GovClintonTyree]

While I am amused by your theory, perhaps you could have chosen some better exemplars.

What a touching moment it will be when Luke Dykstra's dad is released from prison and can come to Danville to watch the young man drool tobacco juice all over his tomahawk.

[AerchAngel]

I will pay postage on that shine you are drinking. Like Zeets, I like some good home made shine.

[Runnin]

I thought Jarrod Saltalamacchia was a can't miss name.

[Julio3000]

We need Felix Falcon, stat.

[Tapate50]

We need Felix Falcon, stat.

I disagree. We need Jesus Jones right here right now.

[Julio3000]

I disagree. We need Jesus Jones right here right now.

Nice.

Plus, talk about a talisman.