Heinie

Heinie Manush

Today, we might think of this nickname as referring to a person's posterior (i.e., their behind), but in Manush's day it was strictly an ethnic -- though not necessarily a derogatory -- name for someone with German heritage.

When he hit .378 in 1926, he barely edged out Babe Ruth for the American League batting title, going 6-for-9 in a doubleheader on the last day of the season.

Two years later, Manush hit .378 again, but this time he didn't win the batting crown, losing by the slimmest of margins to Goose Goslin, who hit .379.

In 1936, at age 35, he reported to the Red Sox (the fourth of  six teams he would play for in his career), full of confidence.

"I'm going out to right field to loosen up," he said on Opening Day. "I'm gonna have a year to top 'em all this season."

Unfortunately for Heinie, his muscles didn't share his enthusiasm. In one Herculean effort, he pulled his right knee up to his chest ... and promptly fell in a heap. No, he hadn't been shot. He had popped his back out of place!