# Nicknames for parts of a sports team.(Not the whole team) **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [September 9, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241 "2012-09-09T22:00:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/1 "2012-09-09T22:00:32Z")
Murders’ Row-Parts of the 27(and other years) NY Yankee Line-up. The Fearsome Foursome-Most notably The LA Rams defensive line of Grier,Lundy,Jones and Olsen. Air Coryell- San Diego Chargers offense under coach Coryell. I can think of a bunch more,but will let ya’ll post some first. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/2 "2012-09-09T22:52:10Z")
\*The Steel Curtain \*was the nickname of the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers defensive line. ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/3 "2012-09-09T22:53:24Z")
The Hogs. The Orange Crush (Denver’s 1970’s defense) ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/4 "2012-09-09T22:58:09Z")
TIL that the rest of the team that gave us _The Four Horsemen_ of Notre Dame also got a nickname. > **[Four Horsemen (American football)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Horsemen_%28American_football%29)** > > The Four Horsemen of Notre Dame comprised a group of American football players at the University of Notre Dame under coach Knute Rockne. They were the backfield of Notre Dame's 1924 football team. The players that made up this group were Harry Stuhldreher, Don Miller, Jim Crowley, and Elmer Layden. > In 1924, a nickname coined by sportswriter Grantland Rice and the actions of a student publicity aide transformed the Notre Dame backfield of Stuhldreher, Crowley, Miller, and Layden into one of the m... > [@](#): > > The Four Horsemen of Notre Dame comprised a winning group of American football players at the University of Notre Dame under coach Knute Rockne. They were the backfield of Notre Dame’s 1924 football team. The players that made up this group were Harry Stuhldreher, Don Miller, Jim Crowley, and Elmer Layden. > > In 1924, a dramatic nickname coined by a poetic sportswriter, Grantland Rice, and the quick-thinking actions of a clever student publicity aide transformed the Notre Dame backfield of Stuhldreher, Crowley, Miller and Layden into the most fabled quartet in college football history, the Four Horsemen of Notre Dame.[1] So what nickname the other 7 less illustrious but still great players got? _The Seven Mules_ ---
**Author:** ![fachverwirrt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/94ad74/32.png) [@fachverwirrt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fachverwirrt)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/5 "2012-09-09T23:14:52Z")
The Astros’ Killer Bs, who were actually various people over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2012, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/6 "2012-09-09T23:39:58Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > TIL that the rest of the team that gave us _The Four Horsemen_ of Notre Dame also got a nickname. […] _The Seven Mules_ Horseman Jim Crowley went on to coach at Fordham and built a nationally ranked program. For several years in the 1930s his offensive line was known as The Seven Blocks of Granite. (Vince Lombardi was one in 1936.) ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/7 "2012-09-10T00:03:42Z")
The Purple People Eaters The Chinese Bandits The New York Sack Exchange And a host of hockey lines from the Golden Years of the NHL. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/8 "2012-09-10T00:10:32Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > The Purple People Eaters > > The Chinese Bandits > > The New York Sack Exchange > > And a host of hockey lines from the Golden Years of the NHL. I know the Vikings and Jets.It would help if you say who is who. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2012, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/9 "2012-09-10T00:28:12Z")
Hockey: The Production Line: Gordie Howe, Sid Abel, and Ted Lindsay of the Red Wings. the GAG line (for “goal a game”): NY Rangers Rod Gilbert, Jean Ratelle,and Vic Hadfield. NFL: “No Name Defense.” 1971 Miami Dolphis Baseball: The M&M Boys (Mantle and Maris) The Bash Brothers (McGwire and Canseco) ---
**Author:** ![Blunt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Blunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blunt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/10 "2012-09-10T00:37:00Z")
The Nasty Boys - Rob Dibble, Norm Charlton, and Randy Myers (and possibly Tim Layana & Tim Birstas depending on who you talk to) from the 1990 Reds bullpen. The Fab Five - Chris Webber, Jalen Rose, Juwan Howard, Jimmy King, and Ray Jackson were all part of Michigan’s 1991 recruiting class. Run TMC - Tim Hardaway, Mitch Ritchmond, and Chris Mullin were the core of the late 80’s/early 90’s Golden State Warriors teams. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/11 "2012-09-10T00:52:28Z")
The '88/'89-era Detroit Pistons were known as the Bad Boys (Thomas, Dumars, Laimbeer, Salley, Rodman, et al). ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/12 "2012-09-10T01:06:24Z")
Rams Fearsome Foursome: Rosie Grier, Lamar Lundy, Merlin Olsen and Deacon Jones. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/13 "2012-09-10T01:19:25Z")
> [@MadTheSwine](#): > > I know the Vikings and Jets.It would help if you say who is who. The Chinese Bandits are the LSU defense. The Dome Patrol–Rickey Jackson, Sam Mills, Vaughn Johnson, Pat Swilling, aka the greatest linebacker combo in the history of history. ---
**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:** [September 10, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/14 "2012-09-10T01:19:45Z")
The Indians’ bullpen was The Bullpen Mafia last year, and sort of this year but the pen changed a lot so it was a little awkward. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/15 "2012-09-10T01:42:04Z")
Smurfs - Redskins receiving corps Of the 80s, subset of the Fun Bunch. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/16 "2012-09-10T01:53:11Z")
Pacific Sock Exchange: Will Clark, Kevin Mitchell and Matt Williams of the SF Giants. ---
**Author:** ![JessMagic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c0e974/32.png) [@JessMagic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JessMagic)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/17 "2012-09-10T01:53:49Z")
The Electric Company - the Buffalo Bills offensive line of the mid 70s - they “turned on the Juice”. The Famous Five - Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull and Ormond. The forward line of Hibernian FC (Scottish soccer team) in their successful late 40s / early 50s period. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/18 "2012-09-10T01:54:16Z")
Run TMC: Nellie’s Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin of the GS Warriors. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/19 "2012-09-10T01:56:01Z")
The Evil Empire: those damned NY Yankees. And now, the free-spending BoSox are considered an Evil Empire too. EYA: oh wait, those are for the whole teams, so not right for this category. ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2012, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241/20 "2012-09-10T02:00:01Z")
Kraut line: The Bruins during the 40’s [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicknames-for-parts-of-a-sports-team-not-the-whole-team/634241.md?page=2)