# Is there a sports players union rule about names...? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [May 11, 2008, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884 "2008-05-11T03:03:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/21 "2008-05-13T18:23:11Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] Pitcher Scott Service did not get a chance to pitch to catcher Scott Servais, either. [/QUOTE] This is incorrect. I was at a game at Wrigley Field about 10 years ago where the Reds’ pitcher pitched to the Cubs’ batter. Or are you talking about how they were never on the same team together? ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/22 "2008-05-13T19:13:08Z")
In the late 80s and early 90s, there were two pitchers named Jeff Robinson. Of course, people often confuse Frank Thomas and Frank Thomas. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![emmaliminal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7bcc69/32.png) [@emmaliminal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emmaliminal)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/23 "2008-05-13T19:22:23Z")
[QUOTE=zev\_steinhardt] Of course, people often confuse Frank Thomas and Frank Thomas. [/QUOTE] The nerve! ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/24 "2008-05-13T20:15:56Z")
[QUOTE=ElvisL1ves] When shortstop Juan Uribe made the majors with the Cardinals, he was still Juan Gonzalez. But he then decided the world already had enough Juan Gonzalezes, and adopted his mother’s name instead. [/QUOTE] Actually, that was the story of [José Altagracia González Uribe](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jose_Uribe) (who used to play for the Giants), not Juan Uribe (currently with the White Sox). There have been four major leaguers named [Dave Roberts,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Roberts_%28disambiguation%29) including two (a pitcher and third baseman) whose careers overlapped. The NBA has had [three George Johnsons](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Johnson) and [two Cliff Robinsons.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Robinson) There was also a “reports of my crimes have been greatly exaggerated” story a few years ago when Illinois alum Eddie Johnson (a forward) was mistakenly identified as the Eddie Johnson who played guard for Auburn and [was arrested for sexually assaulting a young girl.](http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2545984) ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/25 "2008-05-14T13:11:39Z")
[QUOTE=Troy McClure SF] San Francisco had a pair of Roger Craigs hanging out at Candlestick Park in the late 1980s/early 1990s. [/QUOTE] And they looked so much alike it was scary. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/26 "2008-05-14T15:44:59Z")
Well, I guess that answers my original question! 😉 (and thank you \*\*emilyforce \*\*for giving a good factual answer) I don’t know where my head has been all these years, I have just never noticed players with the same name playing at the same time before. Weird! ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/27 "2008-05-14T16:07:05Z")
[QUOTE=Snooooopy] The Mets once had pitchers Bobby J. Jones and Bobby M. Jones together on the roster. Later, they were both Padres at the same time. J. was a righty, while M. was a lefty. J. was actually pretty decent, even making an All-Star team. M. was a marginal player. J. had a secretary named Lincoln, while M. had a secretary named Kennedy. [/QUOTE] This also led to my favorite baseball transaction (while they were both with the Mets): Optioned RHP Bobby Jones to Norfolk; recalled LHP Bobby Jones from Norfolk. [6/12] [QUOTE=Intelligently Designed] Adrian Peterson — Running Back — Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson — Running Back — Chicago Bears [/QUOTE] Also known as “The good Adrian Peterson” and “The bad Adrian Peterson” ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/28 "2008-05-14T16:13:17Z")
[QUOTE=ZipperJJ] And, what about the father/son matchups? Does the MLB make announcers call Tony Pena Jr. “Tony Pena Junior” or do they just do it on their own? [/QUOTE] That’s to differentiate [Tony Junior](http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/penato02.shtml) from [this guy](http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/penato03.shtml), not [his dad](http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/penato01.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/29 "2008-05-14T21:11:13Z")
During the 1980’s, two of the best center fielders in the majors could have both been known as Willie Wilson. They were easily distinguished, however, by the fact that the Mets’ William Wilson was nicknamed “Mookie”, while the Royals star was simply “Willie” (apparently his [actual first name).](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willie_Wilson_%28baseball_player%29) Also during the '80’s, umpire Paul Runge (who had played in the minor leagues but [never made the majors](http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Paul_Runge_(umpire)) as a catcher-outfielder) occasionally worked games in which the Braves featured infielder Paul Runge. The two men were of no known relation to each other, although the umpire was preceded as an arbiter by father Ed Runge and succeeded by son Brian Runge. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/30 "2008-05-15T03:47:40Z")
When I was a kid (late Sixties/early Seventies) the 49ers and the Vikings both had All-Pro wide receivers named Gene Washington. The one who played for the 49ers is some kind of high official in the NFL’s executive offices today. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/31 "2008-05-15T11:59:29Z")
Rodney Marsh played football for England and Rodney Marsh (more often known as Rod, but not invariably) kept wicket for Australia at about the same time, though the Australian had much the longer international career. Richard Hill had not long retired as England’s scrum-half when Richard Hill stepped in as flanker. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_stafford_cripps/32/7167_2.png) [@The\_Stafford\_Cripps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Stafford_Cripps)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/32 "2008-05-15T17:29:46Z")
There were 2 Gordon Brands playing professional golf in the 80s; to the irritation of both, one was known as ‘Gordon Brand Jr’ even though they weren’t related. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/33 "2008-05-15T18:00:44Z")
There were the Chinese speed skaters, Yang Yang and Yang Yang. They had to resort to initials – Yang Yang A and Yang Yang S – to tell them apart on the scoreboard and to make sure the right one was skating in the event. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/34 "2008-05-15T18:31:22Z")
[QUOTE=RealityChuck] There were the Chinese speed skaters, Yang Yang and Yang Yang. They had to resort to initials – Yang Yang A and Yang Yang S – to tell them apart on the scoreboard and to make sure the right one was skating in the event. [/QUOTE] What was the chance of this happening – 2 in billions? ---
**Author:** ![Petey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f1d935/32.png) [@Petey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Petey)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/35 "2008-05-15T19:04:40Z")
The NBA had Jayson Williams and Jason Williams. When another Jason Williams (from Duke) came into the league, he changed his name to Jay Williams. ---
**Author:** ![descamisado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e480ec/32.png) [@descamisado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/descamisado)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/36 "2008-05-15T19:34:10Z")
[QUOTE=Petey] The NBA had Jayson Williams and Jason Williams. When another Jason Williams (from Duke) came into the league, he changed his name to Jay Williams. [/QUOTE] I thought there had been at least two players whose names sounded like Jason Williams and looked by could find only one. Are you saying there were three, one of whom became Jay Williams, and now there’s only one Williams whose name sounds like Jason Williams?\* - I hope the question makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2008, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884/37 "2008-05-15T20:30:23Z")
[QUOTE=5-4-Fighting] I thought there had been at least two players whose names sounded like Jason Williams and looked by could find only one. Are you saying there were three, one of whom became Jay Williams, and now there’s only one Williams whose name sounds like Jason Williams?\* [/QUOTE] [Jason Williams, born November 18, 1975](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Williams_%28basketball%29) [Jayson Williams, born Feb. 22, 1968](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jayson_Williams) [Jason “Jay” Williams, born Sept. 10, 1981](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Williams_%28basketball%29) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-there-a-sports-players-union-rule-about-names/448884.md?page=1)