Since the beginning, the “nickname” has been an integral piece of baseball culture. Every roster is filled with players who’ve been dubbed with a clubhouse handle… Maggs, Cabby, Sweet Lou, Bondo, Grandy, V-Mart, etc. But in recent years, very few of these affectionate monikers have actually translated onto to a baseball card. I know, the entire aforementioned are obvious plays on individuals’ actual names. Personally, I prefer true nicknames – not a cute, shortening of what can be found on a guy’s birth certificate.
While I don't know the origins of Mr. Bridges nickname, I can only guess that his manly, rugged exterior may have something to do with it.
"Rocky Bridges looked like a ballplayer. In fact, he may have looked more like a ballplayer than any other ballplayer that ever lived."
The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading & Bubble Gum Book - p. 103
Everett Lamar "Rocky" Bridges
While I don't know the origins of Mr. Bridges nickname, I can only guess that his manly, rugged exterior may have something to do with it.
The Tigers would carry two men named Rocky on their roster during the 1960 season. While Rocco "Rocky" Colavito was the clubs everyday right fielder, Bridges was used sparingly as a defensive replacement in only ten contests. Midsummer, Bridges was shipped to Cleveland with catcher "Red" Wilson in exchange for Hank Foiles. All three men involved in the deal are still accessible to the collecting community and are gracious signers.
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