# Players with names too long to fit on back of jersey **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [November 7, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969 "2016-11-07T16:42:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/1 "2016-11-07T16:42:46Z")
So there are some people with extremely long surnames, and I wonder, if a player’s surname is simply far too long to fit in the space on the jersey between the shoulders, what does the team do? Do they give him a much shorter nickname, like the Brazilians with Pele, Kaka, Oscar, etc. and just roll with that instead? ---
**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:** [November 7, 2016, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/2 "2016-11-07T16:57:32Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > So there are some people with extremely long surnames, and I wonder, if a player’s surname is simply far too long to fit in the space on the jersey between the shoulders, what does the team do? [Make an arch.](http://umpbump.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Saltalamacchia.jpg) 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Haunted\_Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/94ad74/32.png) [@Haunted\_Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Haunted_Pasta)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/3 "2016-11-07T17:00:46Z")
When I was kid, my dad had tickets to Ohio State games for a couple of seasons and took me to several. At one of them, an opponent had the last name DeFeliciantonio. I think his jersey just used much smaller letters to make them all fit. When his name was first announced, pretty much all 90,000 people in Ohio Stadium laughed. As a kid I thought it was hilarious, but looking back I suspect that got rather old for that poor player. ---
**Author:** ![Gordon\_Urquhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/db5fbb/32.png) [@Gordon\_Urquhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gordon_Urquhart)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/4 "2016-11-07T17:07:37Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > [Make an arch.](http://umpbump.com/press/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Saltalamacchia.jpg) 🙂 Todd Hollandsworth’s name, too, nearly made a [semicircle](http://sports.mearsonlineauctions.com/ItemImages/000094/94035b_lg.jpeg). ---
**Author:** ![Cumbrian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@Cumbrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cumbrian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/5 "2016-11-07T17:14:51Z")
[Ladies and Gentlemen, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink](https://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/12008303/640/12008303.png) ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/6 "2016-11-07T17:24:00Z")
You’ll love [this picture](https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BT_8Af21MgwYEmTWn5lEixwquPI=/942x0/filters:format(webp)/cdn1.vox-cdn.com/fan_shot_images/2896/ony2lc2f.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/7 "2016-11-07T17:24:43Z")
In some cases, arching the name is illegal. For example, NCAA basketball rules require that all names on jerseys be horizontal. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/8 "2016-11-07T17:38:18Z")
> [@That\_Don\_Guy](#): > > In some cases, arching the name is illegal. For example, NCAA basketball rules require that all names on jerseys be horizontal. Holy Micromanaging Batman ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/9 "2016-11-07T17:53:17Z")
I mean names like, 40+ letters long (if they exist.) ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/10 "2016-11-07T18:31:47Z")
An example from the early 1980s, of Jan Van Breda Kolff’s name on the back of his Nets jersey: [http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/larry-bird-of-the-boston-celtics-shoot-over-jan-van-breda-kolff-of-picture-id147497528?s=594x594](http://media.gettyimages.com/photos/larry-bird-of-the-boston-celtics-shoot-over-jan-van-breda-kolff-of-picture-id147497528?s=594x594) I have no idea if this version was something he ever actually wore, however: [![](https://www.nasljerseys.com/images/ABA/Rockets/Nuggets%2074-75%20Home%20Jersey%20Jan%20Van%20Breda%20Kolff%20Back.jpg) ](https://www.nasljerseys.com/images/ABA/Rockets/Nuggets%2074-75%20Home%20Jersey%20Jan%20Van%20Breda%20Kolff%20Back.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/11 "2016-11-07T18:35:48Z")
IIRC, William Vanlandingham (or Van Landingham) was the longest name ever to be fitted to an MLB jersey. It was an arch. Kind of like the arch of the hits he gave up, becoming known to Giants fans as “Van Launchingpad.” ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/12 "2016-11-07T18:37:11Z")
For several years in the late 1970s, the Rams had two players named Youngblood on their roster: defensive end Jack, and linebacker Jim (though they were not related to each other). With “Youngblood” being a longish name to start with, and with both players’ first names starting with the letter J, the Rams placed their first names above their last names on the backs of their jerseys: [![](https://ramsondemand.com/attachments/younglood-rams-jpg.11986/) ](https://ramsondemand.com/attachments/younglood-rams-jpg.11986/) ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/13 "2016-11-07T19:05:05Z")
> [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > IIRC, William Vanlandingham (or Van Landingham) was the longest name ever to be fitted to an MLB jersey. It was an arch. > > Kind of like the arch of the hits he gave up, becoming known to Giants fans as “Van Launchingpad.” [Jarrod Saltalamacchia](http://www.ubbcentral.com/store/item/jarrod-saltalamacchia-miami-marlins-game-used-worn-jersey-rangers-red-sox_381552473789.html) has got that beat by one letter. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/14 "2016-11-07T19:13:51Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > [Jarrod Saltalamacchia](http://www.ubbcentral.com/store/item/jarrod-saltalamacchia-miami-marlins-game-used-worn-jersey-rangers-red-sox_381552473789.html) has got that beat by one letter. He’s the first I thought of - and there is a link to his jersey in the OP. I was surprised to see that **Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin** only has Chamberlin on the back of his Arsenal soccer jersey. His last name is double-barreled and so should have both bits. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/15 "2016-11-07T19:18:18Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > He’s the first I thought of - and there is a link to his jersey in the OP. Ah, missed that (it’s in the first reply, though, and in a link, so it wasn’t spelled out in the thread.) But, as far as I know, Saltalamacchia holds the record. (ETA: For MLB.) ---
**Author:** ![That\_Don\_Guy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/that_don_guy/32/538_2.png) [@That\_Don\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/That_Don_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/16 "2016-11-07T19:42:43Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > Holy Micromanaging Batman The rule exists to make it easier for the officials to see the jersey number on the back. This is also why team names on the front cannot have a “tail” on them. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/17 "2016-11-07T19:46:32Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > For several years in the late 1970s, the Rams had two players named Youngblood on their roster: defensive end Jack, and linebacker Jim (though they were not related to each other). With “Youngblood” being a longish name to start with, and with both players’ first names starting with the letter J, the Rams placed their first names above their last names on the backs of their jerseys: > > [http://www.ramsondemand.com/attachments/younglood-rams-jpg.11986/](http://www.ramsondemand.com/attachments/younglood-rams-jpg.11986/) Reminds me of when the Mets had 2 pitchers on their staff, both named Bobby Jones. One was Bobby M Jones on his uniform, the other was Bobby J Jones. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/18 "2016-11-07T20:26:29Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Reminds me of when the Mets had 2 pitchers on their staff, both named Bobby Jones. One was Bobby M Jones on his uniform, the other was Bobby J Jones. Have baseball uniforms ever had first names? A quick search online just shows their uniforms with “Jones” on the back of each. ---
**Author:** ![I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/i_love_me_vol.i/32/521_2.png) [@I\_Love\_Me\_Vol.I](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_Love_Me_Vol.I)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/19 "2016-11-07T20:27:51Z")
> [@Cumbrian](#): > > [Ladies and Gentlemen, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink](https://www5.picturepush.com/photo/a/12008303/640/12008303.png) Weird thing about that guy’s name is that “of” means “or” in Dutch. The name would make some sense if it was actually “of”… you know, like “Jimmy of Boston” or some such. But the “or” is strange. That’s like your name being “John Smith or Wilson”. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2016, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969/20 "2016-11-07T20:31:30Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Have baseball uniforms ever had first names? Well, one that I can think of offhand… 😉 [![](https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ichirojerseyauto.jpg) ](https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/ichirojerseyauto.jpg) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/players-with-names-too-long-to-fit-on-back-of-jersey/770969.md?page=2)